Description
This Irresistible Sweet Chili Chicken recipe features crispy, juicy chicken coated in a sticky-sweet and mildly spicy sauce. Quick, easy, and packed with bold flavors, it’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a special gathering. Serve over rice or noodles for a delicious, restaurant-quality dish!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Oil for frying
For the Sauce:
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
For Garnish:
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken – Season bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Coat the Chicken – Toss the chicken in cornstarch, ensuring an even coating.
- Cook the Chicken – Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat and fry until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Make the Sauce – In a separate pan, combine sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Combine & Coat – Add the crispy chicken to the sauce, tossing to coat.
- Garnish & Serve – Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Baked Version – Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Air-Fryer Version – Air-fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Extra Spicy – Add sriracha or more red pepper flakes.
- Gluten-Free – Use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Vegetarian – Swap chicken for crispy tofu or cauliflower.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: pan-fried
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Keywords: Sweet chili chicken, crispy chicken, Asian chicken recipe, spicy chicken, sweet and spicy sauce