This Chicken Diablo brings together creamy tanginess and bold heat in a sauce that clings to every bite of tender chicken. I first made this on a Tuesday night when I needed something quick but exciting, and the way that honey cuts through the hot sauce while the sour cream keeps everything smooth and luxurious it just worked. It's the kind of recipe that feels fancy but comes together in under an hour, and you can easily adjust the heat level to match your family's preferences.
If you're looking for more quick weeknight winners, you might also love this Easy Cheeseburger Quesadillas Recipe or the comforting warmth of Creamy Jalapeño Popper Chicken Soup.
Why You'll Love This Chicken Diablo
This spicy Chicken Diablo recipe hits all the right notes without demanding hours in the kitchen. The creamy sauce clings beautifully to the chicken, creating that perfect coat of flavor in every forkful.
You'll love how customizable it is. Want more heat? Add extra hot sauce. Prefer it mild? Cut back and let the honey shine. The marinated chicken breast stays juicy and tender, and the smoked paprika adds a gentle smokiness that makes the whole dish feel more complex than it actually is.
It's also a fantastic make-ahead option. Marinate the chicken the night before, and dinner practically cooks itself the next evening.
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Chicken Diablo Ingredients
Here's everything you need to make this sweet and spicy Chicken Diablo dinner come together beautifully.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
- Hot sauce: Brings bold heat and tanginess to the creamy base. Use your favorite brand.
- Sour cream: Adds richness and cools down the spice just enough to keep things balanced.
- Ketchup: Provides a subtle sweetness and helps thicken the sauce.
- Honey: Balances the heat with natural sweetness and adds a glossy finish.
- Smoked paprika: Gives the sauce a warm, smoky depth without overwhelming the other flavors.
- Ground cumin: Adds earthy warmth that complements the heat perfectly.
- Chicken breast cutlets: Thinly pounded cutlets cook quickly and soak up all that delicious marinade.
- Vegetable oil: Helps brown the chicken and keeps it from sticking to the skillet.
- Minced garlic: Adds aromatic depth and enhances the savory notes in the sauce.
- Scallions (optional): A fresh, mild onion flavor that brightens up each serving.
How to Make Chicken Diablo
This easy Chicken Diablo recipe comes together quickly once you've got everything prepped.
Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the hot sauce, sour cream, ketchup, honey, smoked paprika, and ground cumin until the mixture is smooth and creamy. The color should be a beautiful peachy-red with flecks of spice throughout.
Marinate the chicken: Pour half of the sauce over the chicken cutlets in a shallow dish, making sure each piece gets coated. Set the remaining sauce aside for later. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Overnight marination gives the best flavor, but 30 minutes works if you're short on time.
Cook the garlic: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until it becomes fragrant. You'll smell that warm, toasty aroma filling your kitchen.
Cook the chicken: Reduce the heat to medium and add the marinated chicken to the skillet. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until both sides are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
Warm the reserved sauce: While the chicken finishes cooking, heat the reserved marinade in a small saucepan over low heat until it's warmed through. This takes just a few minutes.
Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken to plates and drizzle the warmed sauce generously over the top. Sprinkle with chopped scallions if you're using them.
Enjoy immediately: Serve this chicken while it's hot and let everyone dig in.
Substitutions and Variations
This chicken with hot sauce recipe is wonderfully flexible.
For the hot sauce: Try sriracha for extra garlic flavor, or use a milder sauce like Frank's RedHot if you're cooking for kids. Buffalo sauce works too and adds a buttery richness.
For the sour cream: Greek yogurt makes a tangy substitute that cuts down on fat while keeping the creaminess. Just note that it may thin out slightly when heated.
For the honey: Maple syrup or agave nectar both work beautifully and bring their own subtle flavor twists.
For the chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great swap if you prefer darker meat. They stay extra juicy and handle the marinating time even better than breasts.
Add bacon: For a bacon wrapped chicken Diablo variation, wrap each cutlet in a strip of bacon before cooking. It adds smokiness and richness that pairs perfectly with the spicy-sweet sauce.
Equipment For Chicken Diablo
You don't need any fancy tools for this creamy chicken recipe.
- Skillet: A large skillet with enough room for all four cutlets works best. Cast iron holds heat beautifully, but nonstick makes cleanup easier.
- Shallow dish for marinating: A 9x13 baking dish or any wide, flat container gives the chicken room to soak up the sauce.
- Small saucepan: For warming the reserved marinade before serving.
- Whisk: Helps blend the sauce ingredients into a smooth, lump-free mixture.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store any leftover skillet chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making the leftovers even more delicious.
To reheat, warm the chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or extra sauce to keep it moist. You can also microwave individual portions for about 90 seconds, though the skillet method keeps the texture better.
This recipe doesn't freeze quite as well because of the sour cream base, which can separate when thawed. If you must freeze it, expect some texture changes and plan to whisk the sauce well when reheating.
What Makes Chicken Diablo Special
Chicken Diablo isn't your typical weeknight chicken recipe. The name means "devil" in Spanish, hinting at the spicy kick that makes this dish so memorable. But what really sets it apart is the balance the creamy sauce mellows the heat just enough while letting the paprika and cumin add smoky depth.
This recipe skips the fussy steps and delivers restaurant-quality flavor with simple pantry staples. The marinating time is flexible, so whether you plan ahead or need dinner fast, it adapts to your schedule.
Expert Tips
Pound the chicken evenly: Thinly pounded cutlets cook faster and more evenly. Use a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan to get them to an even thickness, about half an inch.
Don't skip the marinating: Even 30 minutes makes a difference in flavor. The acid in the hot sauce helps tenderize the meat while the spices penetrate deeper.
Use a meat thermometer: Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure the chicken is fully cooked without being dry.
Reserve some sauce: Always set aside half the sauce before it touches raw chicken. This keeps your finishing sauce safe and flavorful.
Let the chicken rest: After cooking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps each bite moist.
Serving Suggestions
This marinated chicken dinner pairs beautifully with simple, comforting sides.
Serve it over fluffy white rice or cauliflower rice to soak up all that creamy sauce. The grains catch every bit of flavor and make the meal more filling.
Roasted vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or Brussels sprouts add a nice contrast to the rich sauce. Their slight char balances the creaminess perfectly.
A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness and adds freshness to each bite.
For a heartier option, try serving this alongside the Best Zucchini Pizza Casserole Recipe or One Pan Chicken and Potatoes for a complete comfort food spread.
FAQ
What is a chicken diablo?
Chicken Diablo is a spicy chicken dish featuring a creamy, tangy sauce made with hot sauce, sour cream, and sweeteners like honey. The name "diablo" means devil in Spanish, referencing the heat level. It's popular for its balance of spice and richness, and you can adjust the heat to your liking.
What is in diablo sauce?
Diablo sauce typically combines hot sauce, sour cream, ketchup, honey, and warm spices like smoked paprika and cumin. The result is a creamy, tangy sauce with a spicy kick that's balanced by sweetness. Some versions add garlic or other seasonings for extra depth.
What exactly is chicken divan?
Chicken divan is a completely different dish from chicken diablo. It's a classic American casserole made with chicken, broccoli, and a creamy cheese sauce, often topped with breadcrumbs. The name comes from a dish created at the Divan Parisien restaurant in New York City in the 1950s.
What is chicken diavolo?
Chicken diavolo (or pollo alla diavola in Italian) is an Italian preparation where chicken is flattened, marinated with spicy ingredients like chili flakes and black pepper, then grilled or roasted. While similar in name to chicken diablo, diavolo is typically drier and focuses on bold, peppery heat rather than a creamy sauce.
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Chicken Diablo
Ingredients
- ½ cup hot sauce use your favorite brand and adjust heat level to taste
- 1 cup sour cream full-fat for best creaminess
- ½ cup ketchup regular not reduced sugar
- ¼ cup honey liquid honey for easy mixing
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika for smoky depth
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin for warm spice
- 4 chicken breast cutlets pounded thin for even cooking
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or any neutral cooking oil
- 4 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 scallions finely sliced optional garnish
Instructions
- Whisk the hot sauce, sour cream, ketchup, honey, smoked paprika, and cumin together in a bowl until completely smooth.
- Pour about half of the sauce over the chicken in a shallow dish, turning to coat evenly, and reserve the remaining sauce in the refrigerator.
- Cover the dish and refrigerate the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or longer if time allows.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Lower the heat to medium, add the marinated chicken, and cook until golden on both sides and fully cooked through, about 10-15 minutes total.
- While the chicken cooks, warm the reserved sauce in a small saucepan over low heat until heated through.
- Transfer the chicken to plates, spoon the warm sauce over the top, and finish with sliced scallions if using.
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