Crispy Chili-Honey Glazed Salmon Recipe

Quick & Zesty Chili-Honey Glazed Salmon Recipe for Dinner Joy

Crispy chili-honey glazed salmon upgrades an ordinary seafood dinner into a culinary adventure that tantalizes taste buds with unexpected flavor combinations.

Bold and vibrant, this recipe marries sweet and spicy notes in a harmonious dance across your plate.

The glaze creates a stunning caramelized exterior that seals in the salmon natural juiciness and tenderness.

Each bite promises a perfect balance between the gentle heat of chili and the golden warmth of honey.

Delicate fish meets robust seasonings, elevating a simple protein into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece that impresses without complicated techniques.

Home cooks can easily recreate this elegant dish with just a few strategic ingredients and minimal preparation time.

Professional-level results await you with this simple yet sophisticated approach to seafood preparation.

Why Chili-Honey Salmon Packs Big Flavor

  • Unleash Flavor Explosion: The combination of Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey creates a bold, tangy-sweet glaze that transforms ordinary salmon into a taste sensation.
  • Achieve Restaurant-Quality Crispiness: Broiling for 1-2 minutes after baking gives the salmon an irresistible golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside perfectly tender and moist.
  • Simplify Gourmet Cooking: This recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic cooking skills, making it possible for home cooks to prepare a sophisticated meal in under 20 minutes with minimal effort.
  • Customize Your Spice Level: The flexible sauce recipe allows you to adjust the heat by increasing or decreasing Sriracha, making it adaptable to different taste preferences and heat tolerances.

What You Need for Chili-Honey Glazed Salmon

Main Protein:
  • Salmon: Fresh, wild-caught salmon provides rich flavor and omega-3 fatty acids, with a tender and flaky texture when baked.
Seasoning and Spices:
  • Paprika: Adds warm, sweet pepper flavor and beautiful reddish color to the salmon.
  • Garlic Powder: Provides a subtle, aromatic garlic essence without raw garlic intensity.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the salmon's natural taste and provide depth.
Glaze and Sauce Ingredients:
  • Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy base for the glaze, helping other ingredients adhere to the salmon.
  • Thai Sweet Chili Sauce: Delivers a sweet and tangy flavor with mild heat.
  • Sriracha: Adds a spicy kick and vibrant red color to the glaze.
  • Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps create a glossy, caramelized exterior.
Cooking and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and promotes even cooking with a light, rich flavor.
  • Chives: Fresh herb for garnish, adding a mild onion-like flavor and green color.

How to Cook Crispy Glazed Salmon

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheet

Crank up the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Oil the Salmon

Drizzle olive oil over the salmon, coating all sides with a gentle massage.

Step 3: Create Spice Blend

In a small bowl, mix:
  • Paprika
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Sprinkle the spice blend evenly over the salmon filets.

Step 4: Whip Up the Glaze

In another bowl, combine:
  • Mayonnaise
  • Thai sweet chili sauce
  • Sriracha
  • Honey

Divide the sauce into two portions.

Step 5: First Glaze Application

Brush half of the sauce generously over the salmon filets.

Step 6: Arrange and Bake

Place the salmon on the prepared baking sheet, skin-side down, leaving space between each filet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until the fish is cooked through.

Step 7: Create Crispy Finish

For an extra crispy exterior, broil the salmon for 1-2 minutes.

Step 8: Final Touch and Serve

Transfer the salmon to a serving plate.

Drizzle with the remaining sauce.

Sprinkle chopped chives on top for a fresh garnish.

Serve alongside steamed rice for a complete meal.

Tips for Perfect Texture and Heat Balance

  • Maximize Flavor Infusion: Let salmon sit with spice rub for 10-15 minutes before cooking to enhance seasoning penetration.
  • Prevent Dryness: Watch cooking time carefully, as salmon can quickly become overcooked; use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  • Achieve Perfect Crisp: Pat salmon skin dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy exterior when baking or broiling.
  • Balance Heat Levels: Adjust Sriracha and Thai chili sauce proportions to match your spice tolerance without losing the glaze's signature kick.
  • Enhance Presentation: Use a silicone brush for even sauce distribution and create attractive, glossy salmon filets that look professionally prepared.

Reheat Salmon Without Losing Crispiness

  • Storing Leftovers: Carefully place leftover salmon in an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Store for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Reheating Method: Gently warm salmon in the oven at 275°F to preserve moisture and texture. Wrap the filet in aluminum foil and heat for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Avoid microwaving, which can dry out the delicate fish and compromise its flavor.
  • Serving Tip: Drizzle reserved chili-honey sauce over the reheated salmon to revive its original zesty glaze and enhance its taste. Enjoy with fresh herbs or a side of rice for a delicious second meal.

Sides That Work with Spicy Salmon

  • Boost with Zesty Rice Companion: Prepare jasmine or coconut rice to complement the salmon's sweet and spicy glaze, absorbing the delicious sauce and providing a perfect neutral base.
  • Match with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc to balance the dish's heat and enhance the salmon's rich flavors, cutting through the sweetness with its bright acidity.
  • Refresh with Cucumber Salad: Create a light, cool cucumber salad with rice vinegar and fresh herbs to contrast the warm, spicy salmon, adding a refreshing crunch and palate-cleansing element.
  • Pair with Sparkling Water: Choose a lime or mint-infused sparkling water to cleanse the palate between bites, helping to highlight the chili-honey glaze's complex flavor profile.

Fun Takes on Chili-Honey Glazed Fish

  • Citrus-Spiced Salmon Sensation: Swap Thai chili sauce with fresh orange juice and add zest for a bright, tangy flavor profile. Replace Sriracha with red pepper flakes to maintain heat while introducing a different spice dimension.
  • Maple-Ginger Salmon Fusion: Substitute honey with pure maple syrup and incorporate minced fresh ginger into the glaze. Enhance the marinade with soy sauce for an Asian-inspired complexity that complements the fish's natural richness.
  • Smoky Chipotle Salmon Remix: Replace Thai chili sauce with adobo sauce from chipotle peppers. Introduce smoked paprika instead of regular paprika to create a deeper, more robust smoky undertone. Mix in a touch of brown sugar to balance the intense chipotle heat.
  • Mediterranean Herb Salmon Escape: Trade the current spice blend for dried oregano, thyme, and za'atar seasoning. Use lemon juice instead of honey and incorporate crumbled feta cheese as a final garnish. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil for an authentic Mediterranean touch.
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Crispy Chili-Honey Glazed Salmon Recipe

Crispy Chili-Honey Glazed Salmon Recipe


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4.5 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Crispy chili-honey glazed salmon delivers a perfect balance of sweet heat and oceanic richness. Spicy honey glaze caramelizes golden, creating a restaurant-worthy dinner that impresses without complicated techniques and lets you savor complex flavors in mere minutes.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 salmon filets, about 1.5 pounds (680 g), skins on

Spice and Seasoning:

  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Glaze and Garnish:

  • 0.5 cup (116 g) mayonnaise
  • 0.25 cup (66 g) Thai sweet chili sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha, or more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Chives, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and non-stick surface.
  2. Coat salmon fillets with olive oil, ensuring even coverage by gently massaging the oil into the fish with fingertips.
  3. Create a spice blend by mixing paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small mixing bowl.
  4. Evenly sprinkle the spice mixture over both sides of the salmon fillets, pressing gently to help seasonings adhere.
  5. Prepare the glaze by whisking together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha sauce, and honey in a separate bowl until smooth and well-combined.
  6. Separate the glaze into two portions, reserving one half for final drizzling.
  7. Brush half of the prepared glaze generously over the seasoned salmon fillets, covering the surface completely.
  8. Arrange salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet, positioning them skin-side down with adequate spacing between each piece.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until salmon reaches desired internal temperature and appears opaque.
  10. For additional crispiness, broil the salmon for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  11. Remove salmon from oven and transfer to serving plates.
  12. Drizzle remaining glaze over the cooked fillets and garnish with finely chopped chives.
  13. Serve immediately with steamed rice or preferred side dish.

Notes

  • Achieving the perfect crispy exterior requires precise broiling technique, watching closely to prevent burning.
  • Balancing sweet and spicy flavors happens through the carefully crafted chili-honey glaze, which transforms ordinary salmon into a gourmet experience.
  • Olive oil ensures even seasoning and helps create a golden, crisp surface while preventing the fish from sticking to the baking sheet.
  • Choosing fresh, high-quality salmon makes a significant difference in the final dish’s texture and overall taste profile.
  • Serving immediately after cooking preserves the salmon’s delicate moisture and maintains the glaze’s vibrant, glossy appearance.
  • Using parchment paper simplifies cleanup and prevents the delicate fish from breaking during transfer.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 456 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 532 mg
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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