If you’re craving a dinner that’s equal parts sweet, tangy, and just a tad spicy, look no further than this Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe. Tender pieces of chicken get bathed in a glossy, irresistible sauce that clings to every bite, leaving your tastebuds dancing with flavor. It’s a perfect quick-fix weeknight meal that tastes like it came from your favorite Asian restaurant—without a long list of hard-to-find ingredients. The sticky, vibrant sauce with a zippy kick promises to win over the whole family. Plus, this Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe is so flexible and fun to serve, you’ll find yourself coming back to it again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best thing about this Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe is how approachable every ingredient is. Each component brings its own magic—whether it’s making the chicken extra juicy, providing that iconic sticky-sweet glaze, or adding those little pops of color and crunch that make each bite exciting. Here’s what you’ll need (plus why!):
- Chicken thighs or breasts: Choose boneless, skinless thighs for extra juiciness, or breasts for a leaner bite—cut into bite-sized pieces for quick, even cooking.
- Vegetable oil: This neutral oil helps sear the chicken beautifully without adding any competing flavors.
- Garlic (minced): Fresh garlic infuses the chicken and the sauce with classic savory depth.
- Fresh ginger (grated): Adds a gentle kick and unmistakable aromatic warmth to balance the sweet notes.
- Sweet chili sauce: The star of the show, this bottled sauce brings sweet, tangy heat that makes the dish sing!
- Soy sauce: For a savory punch and rich umami flavor—use tamari for a gluten-free twist.
- Rice vinegar: This lifts the sauce, offering brightness and tang to balance the sweetness.
- Honey: Adds a golden, glossy finish and enhances the irresistible sticky-sweet profile.
- Sesame oil: Just a splash infuses deep, toasty nuttiness—don’t skip it!
- Red pepper flakes (optional): Sprinkle in for extra heat if you like your Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe on the spicy side.
- Sliced green onions and sesame seeds (for garnish): These deliver crunch, freshness, and a lovely pop of color to finish the dish.
How to Make Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients
Chop your chicken into bite-sized pieces so every morsel gets evenly coated in sauce. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger—using fresh makes a huge difference here! Measure out the sauce ingredients so they’re ready to go; quick prep now means you’ll be enjoying your Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe even sooner.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat your vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken pieces in an even layer. Let them sit undisturbed for a couple of minutes to lock in those savory caramelized edges, then give them a stir to ensure even browning. Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through and juicy.
Step 3: Add Aromatics
In goes the minced garlic and grated ginger! Stir them in with the chicken for about a minute, just until they’re fragrant and taking on a golden hue. This quick sauté is what gives your Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe that next-level flare—it smells incredible!
Step 4: Make the Sauce
While the chicken is browning, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. This blend is about to transform your chicken from basic to brilliant, so taste and adjust for your perfect balance of sweet and heat.
Step 5: Toss and Simmer
Pour the sauce over your cooked chicken and stir everything together until the pieces are glossy and fully coated. Let it bubble for another 2 to 3 minutes—this thickens the sauce and infuses the chicken with a burst of flavor in every bite.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Remove the pan from heat. Shower your Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe with sliced green onions and a handful of sesame seeds. If you’re feeling fancy, add some chopped peanuts or cashews for a crunchy finish, and get ready to dig in.
How to Serve Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Don’t skip the finishing touches! A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and plenty of fresh sliced green onions add visual appeal and crunch, elevating your Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe from homey to restaurant-worthy. If you enjoy extra texture, toss on some chopped nuts like peanuts or cashews for extra wow factor.
Side Dishes
This dish truly shines when paired with a bowl of steaming jasmine or basmati rice so you can soak up every drop of that addictive sweet chili sauce! Steamed broccoli, snap peas, or roasted bok choy all make fantastic veggie sides. You can also serve it over rice noodles or tuck it into lettuce cups for a lighter take.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe into a dinner-party star by serving it family-style on a big platter, or pile it into lettuce leaves for easy hand-held bites. It’s also fantastic in wraps or tucked into a grain bowl with your favorite veggies—don’t be afraid to get playful with presentation!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep like a dream! Simply transfer any cooled Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors deepen as it sits, making the next day’s lunch absolutely crave-worthy.
Freezing
If you want to meal-prep or save some for later, freeze the cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
For the tastiest results, reheat your Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also microwave individual portions in short bursts, stirring in between to ensure even heating.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Both chicken thighs and breasts work beautifully in this recipe. Thighs will give you extra juiciness, while breasts are a bit leaner. Just make sure not to overcook for the most tender results.
Is this Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe gluten-free?
It can be! Simply swap soy sauce for gluten-free tamari to make this dish friendly for gluten-sensitive eaters, without sacrificing any of that mouthwatering flavor.
How spicy is this dish?
This Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe is family-friendly mild when made as written, but you can kick up the heat by adding more red pepper flakes or even a drizzle of hot sauce for extra fire. Adjust it to your taste!
Can I make the sauce less sweet?
If you prefer a savory-forward dish, reduce the honey or use a chili sauce with less sugar. You can always tweak the sweetness until it’s just right for your palate.
What other proteins can I use?
This versatile sauce pairs well with shrimp, tofu, or even pork. Just adjust the cooking time as needed, and your Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe will adapt beautifully to your favorite proteins!
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe truly brings a restaurant-quality meal to your kitchen table in under half an hour. The blend of flavors and textures is just magical—and so easy, you’ll want to make it again and again. Give it a try and watch it become a staple in your dinner rotation. Happy cooking!
Print
Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A delicious and easy-to-make Sweet Chili Chicken recipe that’s perfect for a quick Asian-inspired dinner. Tender chicken pieces are cooked in a flavorful sweet chili sauce, served with steamed rice or noodles, and topped with green onions and sesame seeds for a fantastic meal.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish:
- sliced green onions and sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add garlic and ginger, sauté for 1 minute.
- Cook chicken: Brown chicken pieces until cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.
- Prepare sauce: Whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Pour over chicken.
- Cook with sauce: Stir to coat evenly and cook for 2–3 minutes to thicken sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles and vegetables.
- Top with chopped peanuts or cashews for extra crunch.
- Adjust sweetness and spice levels to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
