Description
Sweet Chili Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces marinated in a spicy-sweet chili sauce, pan-fried to a golden crisp, and glazed with a thickened sauce. Perfect served over rice or noodles, this recipe combines bold garlic, ginger, and soy flavors with a hint of heat and sweetness for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
Coating and Cooking
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Serving
- Rice or noodles, for serving
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Add the chicken pieces and thoroughly coat them in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse the chicken.
- Prepare the Coating: In a separate bowl, season the cornstarch with salt and pepper to taste. Take the marinated chicken pieces and evenly coat them in the seasoned cornstarch, ensuring every piece is covered to achieve a crispy exterior when cooked.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Cook the coated chicken pieces in batches, avoiding overcrowding the pan. Fry them for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Simmer the Sauce: Using the same skillet, pour in the remaining marinade that was used for the chicken. Bring it to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly, concentrating the flavors.
- Glaze the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and toss them thoroughly in the thickened sauce. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes to glaze the chicken well and allow it to absorb the sauce’s rich flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the glazed chicken. Serve the Sweet Chili Chicken hot over a bed of rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for longer if time allows, up to 2 hours, for deeper flavor.
- For a crispy texture, make sure not to overcrowd the pan while frying.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with canola or peanut oil for frying.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice or stir-fried noodles.
- Adjust the amount of sweet chili sauce to suit your sweetness and spiciness preference.
