This Sweet Chili Chicken is a perfect, easy dinner that the comes together in under 25 minutes. It’s another easy Asian recipe coated in a simple sweet and slightly spicy sauce to serve over rice that’s as good as any takeout recipe.
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Ingredients Notes with Substitution Ideas
The complete list of ingredients with amounts are listed in the full recipe card below.
- Chicken breasts – I cut boneless, skinless breasts into 1-inch cubes. Swap for chicken thighs or chicken tenders if you’d like.
- Cornstarch – To lightly coat the chicken to give it it’s crispiness
- Sesame oil – Add that perfect Asian flavor. You can substitute with olive oil if needed, but sesame oil gives it that extra flavor.
- Green onions – sliced thin.
- Garlic – Fresh minced is best but use jarred too. You can also swap fresh for 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Sweet Chili Sauce – The star of the show. I use store bought sauce. I like the Thai Kitchen brand which is found in the Asian aisle at stores. Trader Joes’ is another favorite of mine.
- Soy sauce – I like using low sodium but use regular if you want. Or for a gluten free option use Tamari or coconut aminos.
- Chili paste – You can use a much or as little as you want to to control the spice level. You can use red pepper flakes, sriracha or other hot sauce if you prefer.
- Peanuts – These are completely optional but we love the added crunch they give.
- Chopped fresh cilantro & sesame seeds – Totally optional too.
Making Sweet Chili Chicken at Home
This chicken recipe is so quick and full of flavor. Start your rice first and everything will be ready in under 30 minutes.
Step 1: Coat the Chicken. In a bowl, toss the cubed chicken with the cornstarch to evenly coat.
Step 2: In a non-stick skillet, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat. Then add the cubed chicken, green onions, and garlic. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken golden brown and almost cooked through.
Step 3: Stir in the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, chili paste, and peanuts (if using). Simmer for another 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 4: Remove from the heat. Garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds if using.
Serve over steamed rice (white, brown, or this coconut rice for extra flavor).
Can I Air Fry The Chicken?
You sure can! Preheat the air fryer to 400° F and add the chicken pieces (after coating them in the corn starch) to the air fryer basket. Spray with a little sesame oil or olive oil and cook for about 10 minutes until no longer pink in the center of the thickest part.
Serving Suggestions
This Thai inspired chicken is so versatile with the vegetables you can add. Here are some of my favorites.
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
- Sauteed zucchini or this spicy Asian zucchini
- Toss in some red bell pepper slices or mushrooms in when cooking the chicken.
- Snow peas or other stir-fried veggies
- Coconut rice
- Fried rice
- Cauliflower rice
How to Store this Chicken with Sweet Chili Sauce
Refrigerate: Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze cooled leftovers in an freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator then reheat.
Reheat in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through. You can also reheat in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl or plate for 30 seconds then stir and repeat for another 15-30 seconds until just heated through. Be careful not to overheat.
Easy Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts boneless, skinless, cut in 1 inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 cup green onions sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¾ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili paste
- ¼ cup peanuts crushed
- Fresh cilantro chopped and/or sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the chicken and sprinkle with the cornstarch. Toss to coat the chicken.1 pound chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- In a non-stick skillet, add the sesame oil and heat over medium-high heat1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Add the cubes of chicken, sliced green onions and garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes.1 cup green onions, 2 cloves garlic
- Stir in the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, chili paste and crushed peanuts. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.¾ cup sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon chili paste, ¼ cup peanuts
- Remove from heat and garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds if desired.Fresh cilantro chopped and/or sesame seeds
- Serve over rice. White rice, brown rice, or this coconut rice.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclosure
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
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