Name: Sweet Chili Chicken
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1.5–2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast; 1 cup sweet chili sauce; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon ginger, minced; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1/4 cup cornstarch; Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 green onions, sliced; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds; Rice or noodles (for serving)

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Why Make This Recipe

Sweet Chili Chicken is a delightful dish that brings together the delicious flavors of sweet and spicy. It’s quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. This recipe is not only tasty, but it also allows you to customize it based on your spice preference. With juicy chicken coated in a sticky glaze, this meal will surely satisfy your taste buds.

How to Make Sweet Chili Chicken

Ingredients

Chicken Breast: 1.5–2 pounds boneless, 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 (jasmine rice, basmati rice, or noodles)

Directions

Preparation: Marinate the chicken with sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for a deeper flavor.
Coating: Dredge the marinated chicken in cornstarch and season it with salt and pepper.
Cooking: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken in batches until it turns golden brown and cooks through, about 4–5 minutes on each side. Once done, drain the chicken on paper towels.
Glazing: In the same skillet, simmer the remaining marinade until it thickens slightly. Then, return the chicken to the pan and toss it in the glaze for 2–3 minutes.
Serving: Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve the sweet chili chicken over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

How to Serve Sweet Chili Chicken

Sweet Chili Chicken is best served hot over a bed of rice or noodles. The sticky glaze pairs beautifully with jasmine rice or basmati rice, or you could even serve it over your favorite type of noodles. Adding a side of steamed vegetables can balance the meal and add more nutrition.

How to Store Sweet Chili Chicken

To store leftover Sweet Chili Chicken, let it cool to room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwaving or pan-frying will help bring back its original taste and texture.

Tips to Make Sweet Chili Chicken

For extra flavor, you can add more minced garlic and ginger to the marinade.
Adjust the level of sweetness by adding more or less sweet chili sauce according to your taste.
If you prefer a crispier coating, let the coated chicken rest for a few minutes before frying.

Variation

You can easily adjust this recipe to include vegetables. Bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas can be added to the frying pan along with the chicken for a complete one-pan meal. You can also substitute chicken with tofu for a vegetarian option.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken breast?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breast. Just make sure to fully thaw it before marinating.

2. How spicy is Sweet Chili Chicken?
Sweet Chili Chicken has a mild to moderate spice level, depending on the brand of sweet chili sauce you use. You can adjust the spice by adding chili flakes if you like it spicier.

3. Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Absolutely! Sweet Chili Chicken is perfect for meal prep. You can make a big batch ahead of time and portion it out for easy lunches or dinners.