Description
Sweet Chili Chicken is a deliciously tender and juicy dish featuring bite-sized pieces of chicken coated in a sticky, sweet, and spicy chili sauce. This recipe is quick and easy, making it perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner. It pairs wonderfully with jasmine rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables to create a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Sweet Chili Sauce
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cornstarch. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated to help achieve a light crust and to thicken the sauce later.
- Heat the Oil: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Allow the oil to heat until shimmering but not smoking, which will help to properly sear the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken pieces are golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Prepare the Sauce: While the chicken is cooking, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, and minced garlic in a small bowl until well combined.
- Add Sauce to Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Stir well to coat all the chicken pieces evenly with the sticky sauce.
- Simmer to Thicken: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir frequently until the sauce thickens, becomes glossy, and clings nicely to the chicken.
- Serve Immediately: Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the chicken to serving plates. Garnish as desired and serve hot with jasmine rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
- For a complete meal, serve the Sweet Chili Chicken over jasmine rice or your favorite noodles.
- Adjust the level of spiciness by adding chili flakes or more sweet chili sauce if desired.
- Use chicken thighs for a juicier, more tender dish, or chicken breasts for a leaner alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
