Sweet Chili Chicken

Why Make This Recipe

Sweet Chili Chicken is a fantastic dish that combines sweet and spicy flavors, making it a favorite for many. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering. This recipe brings a delightful taste to your table, and you can serve it with rice or noodles for a complete meal.

How to Make Sweet Chili Chicken

Ingredients:

• Chicken Breast: 1.5 to 2 pounds, boneless and skinless
• Sweet Chili Sauce: 1 cup
• Soy Sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
• Ginger: 1 tablespoon, minced
• Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons
• Cornstarch: 1/4 cup
• Salt and Pepper: to taste
• Green Onions: 2, sliced
• Sesame Seeds: 1 tablespoon
• Rice or Noodles: for serving

Directions:

1. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of Sweet Chili Sauce, Soy Sauce, minced Garlic, and minced Ginger. Add the chicken pieces and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours for stronger flavor).
3. In a separate bowl, place the cornstarch and lightly season with salt and pepper.
4. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess sauce drip off, then dredge each piece in the cornstarch to coat evenly.
5. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken in batches for about 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
6. In the same skillet, pour in the remaining marinade and simmer until it thickens slightly to form a glaze. Return the fried chicken to the pan and toss to coat in the glaze, cooking an additional 2–3 minutes.
7. Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, and serve over rice or noodles.

How to Serve Sweet Chili Chicken

Serve Sweet Chili Chicken hot over a bed of rice or noodles. You can also add some steamed vegetables on the side to make the meal more colorful and nutritious. Garnishing with fresh green onions and sesame seeds adds an extra touch of flavor and looks great on the plate.

How to Store Sweet Chili Chicken

If you have leftovers, let the chicken cool completely. Place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the chicken; it will last in the freezer for about 2 months. To reheat, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm in a skillet or microwave until heated through.

Tips to Make Sweet Chili Chicken

• For extra flavor, let the chicken marinate for the full 2 hours.
• Make sure not to overcrowd the pan when frying the chicken; this helps achieve a crispy texture.
• You can adjust the level of sweetness by using more or less sweet chili sauce.

Variation

You can substitute chicken with tofu or shrimp for a different protein option. Additionally, you can add vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli during the frying stage for extra nutrition and flavor.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, but make sure to thaw it completely before cutting and marinating.

2. What can I use if I don’t have sweet chili sauce?
You can mix a combination of honey and hot sauce as a substitute, though the flavor will be different.

3. Is this dish spicy?
The dish is mildly spicy due to the sweet chili sauce. If you prefer more heat, consider adding some red pepper flakes or sriracha to the marinade.