Description
This Quick & Easy Sweet Chili Chicken recipe features crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a tangy, sweet chili sauce with a hint of spice and citrus. Perfect for a speedy weeknight meal, it combines simple ingredients with a flavorful homemade sauce for a satisfying dish that’s both delicious and approachable.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs (or chicken breast)
- 1/3 cup cornstarch (or potato starch, add more if needed)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (optional)
- 1 tablespoon honey (plain kind)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar / white vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon lime juice (or lemon juice, freshly squeezed)
- 1/2 teaspoon lime zest (or lemon zest, freshly grated)
Garnish
- 1 green onion (finely chopped, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine sweet chili sauce, sriracha (if using), honey, rice vinegar, lime juice, and lime zest. Stir well to blend all ingredients and set aside.
- Dice the chicken: Cut each chicken thigh into 1.5-inch pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Season and coat chicken: Sprinkle salt, garlic powder, and black pepper over the chicken pieces. Add the cornstarch and toss thoroughly until each piece is evenly coated with no spots left uncovered. Add a little more cornstarch if needed for full coverage.
- Heat oil and fry chicken: Warm the vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan or wok over medium heat. Fry the chicken pieces in small batches, avoiding overcrowding, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crispy, approximately 6 to 7 minutes total per batch.
- Drain excess oil: Remove the fried chicken from the pan using a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack or paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Toss with sauce and serve: Transfer the drained chicken to a large bowl, pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, and gently toss to ensure even coating. Garnish with finely chopped green onions if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- If preferred, you can air fry the chicken instead of frying: preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the coated chicken pieces in a single layer for about 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until crispy and cooked through.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the sweet chili sauce and cornstarch are gluten-free.
- Chicken breast can be substituted for thighs, but adjust cooking time to prevent drying.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha and honey to customize spiciness and sweetness.
- Serving with steamed rice or vegetables complements the dish well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
