Irresistible Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe: Your New Favorite Asian Dinner

Welcome to your new go-to dinner recipe that combines the vibrant flavors of Asian cuisine with the comforting goodness of chicken. This Sweet Chili Chicken recipe is a perfect introduction to Chinese cooking techniques while offering that irresistible sweet and spicy combination that keeps everyone asking for seconds.

Whether you’re looking for exciting chicken dinner recipes or wanting to explore Asian dishes beyond takeout, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with simple ingredients. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, special occasions, or when you want to impress guests with your culinary skills.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Cooked white rice for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Cut the chicken into uniform 1-inch pieces. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure even cooking and better coating adhesion.

Step 2: Coat the Chicken

Place cornstarch in a large bowl or ziplock bag. Add chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated. Shake off any excess cornstarch.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 4: Make the Sweet Chili Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and chicken broth until well combined.

Step 5: Combine and Simmer

Return all chicken to the skillet. Pour the sweet chili sauce mixture over the chicken. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken beautifully.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed white rice.

Expert Tips for Perfect Sweet Chili Chicken

Chicken Selection: Chicken thighs provide more flavor and tenderness, while breasts offer leaner protein. Both work excellently in this recipe.

Cooking Temperature: Don’t rush the cooking process. Medium-high heat ensures crispy edges without burning the cornstarch coating.

Sauce Consistency: If your sauce is too thin, mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir into the simmering sauce until thickened.

Make It Spicier: Add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture for extra heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A: Yes! Cook the chicken and prepare the sauce separately. Combine and reheat when ready to serve for best texture.

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your sweet chili sauce is gluten-free to make this recipe gluten-free.

Q: Can I bake instead of pan-fry the chicken?
A: Absolutely! Bake coated chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, then toss with the sauce.

Q: What vegetables can I add?
A: Bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, or carrots make excellent additions. Stir-fry them before adding the sauce.

This Sweet Chili Chicken recipe brings the best of Chinese cooking to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum flavor. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy that makes it a crowd-pleasing chicken dish everyone will love.

Irresistible Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

This sweet chili chicken combines vibrant Asian flavors with tender chicken pieces coated in a sweet and spicy glaze. Perfect for busy weeknights, it delivers restaurant-quality results using simple ingredients and Chinese cooking techniques.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 380

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• Cooked white rice for serving

Method

 

Instructions

1. Cut the chicken into uniform 1-inch pieces. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure even cooking and better coating adhesion.
2. Place cornstarch in a large bowl or ziplock bag. Add chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated. Shake off any excess cornstarch.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and chicken broth until well combined.
5. Return all chicken to the skillet. Pour the sweet chili sauce mixture over the chicken. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken beautifully.
6. Transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed white rice.

Notes

Chicken thighs provide more flavor and tenderness, while breasts offer leaner protein. Both work excellently in this recipe. If sauce is too thin, mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir into simmering sauce until thickened.