Sweet Chili Chicken

This chicken chili dish is the perfect fusion of sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors—all wrapped up in crispy golden chicken bites. Tossed in a no-cook chili-lime sauce, this recipe is quick, flavorful, and family-friendly. It’s inspired by classic Asian takeout but made fresher, faster, and with everyday ingredients. If you’re craving something bold yet balanced, this sweet chili chicken will hit the spot.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Chili Recipe

• 🔥 Crispy fried chicken without deep frying
• 🍯 Sweet and spicy sauce with lime for brightness
• 🕒 Ready in just 30 minutes — perfect for weeknights
• 🍚 Pairs with rice, noodles, or veggies
• 🧊 Freezer- and meal-prep-friendly
• 🌱 Naturally gluten-free (check sauces)

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breast)
• ⅓ cup cornstarch or potato starch
• ⅓ cup neutral oil (vegetable, avocado, or canola)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 green onion, chopped (for garnish)

For the Sauce:

• ½ cup sweet chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon sriracha (optional, for heat)
• 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white/apple cider vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
• ½ teaspoon lime zest

Instructions

1. Make the Sauce
   In a small bowl, mix together sweet chili sauce, sriracha (if using), honey, vinegar, lime juice, and zest. Set aside.
2. Prep the Chicken
   Dice the chicken into 1.5-inch chunks. Season with salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Add cornstarch and toss until evenly coated.
3. Fry the Chicken
   Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Fry chicken in small batches (6–8 pieces per batch) until golden and crisp, ~6–7 minutes. Flip halfway through.
4. Drain
   Remove cooked chicken and drain on a wire rack or paper towel.
5. Toss with Sauce
   Place fried chicken in a large bowl. Pour sauce over top and gently toss to coat. Garnish with green onions and serve.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 3

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 30g
• Carbs: 41g
• Sugar: 27g
• Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 144mg
• Sodium: 1071mg
• Fiber: 1g

Note: Based on standard ingredients. Adjust for substitutions.

Tips & Variations

• 🧊 Make it freezer-friendly: Freeze chicken and sauce separately for best texture
• 🔄 Air fryer method: Air fry at 400°F for 10–14 minutes, no need to flip
• 🧄 Extra flavor: Add garlic or ginger to the sauce
• 🥢 Use shrimp or tofu: Works great with jumbo shrimp or extra-firm tofu
• 🥦 Pair it with: Steamed broccoli, fried rice, chow mein, or garlic bok choy

Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

Crispy chicken tossed in a sweet chili lime sauce with a mild kick. A quick 30-minute dinner perfect for busy nights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 3

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• – Frying pan or wok
• – Wire rack or paper towels
• – Tongs

Ingredients

  

• **Chicken:**
• – 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• – ⅓ cup cornstarch
• – ⅓ cup neutral oil avocado or canola
• – ½ tsp salt
• – ½ tsp garlic powder
• – ¼ tsp black pepper
• – 1 green onion chopped (optional)
• **Sauce:**
• – ½ cup sweet chili sauce
• – 1 tbsp sriracha optional
• – 1 tbsp honey
• – 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• – 1 tsp lime juice
• – ½ tsp lime zest

Instructions

 

• Mix all sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Cut chicken into 1.5-inch pieces. Season with salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
• Toss chicken in cornstarch until evenly coated.
• Heat oil in pan over medium heat. Fry chicken in small batches until crispy (6–7 minutes).
• Drain on paper towels or a rack.
• Toss fried chicken with sauce. Garnish with green onions and serve.

Notes

– Air fry option: 400°F for 10–14 minutes
– Make it mild: omit sriracha
– Freezer tip: Store chicken and sauce separately

Keyword Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

FAQs

Q: Can I make chicken chili ahead of time?
Yes. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a pan or microwave.

Q: Why isn’t my chicken crispy?
Common issues include overcrowding the pan or oil not being hot enough. Always fry in small batches and drain well.

Q: Can I make this in the air fryer?
Absolutely! Spray the chicken lightly with oil and air fry at 400°F for 10–14 minutes.

Q: Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, but thighs stay juicier and more flavorful after frying.

Conclusion

This sweet and tangy chicken chili recipe delivers crispy golden chicken bites tossed in an irresistible sweet chili sauce with a kick of lime. It’s the kind of weeknight dinner you’ll want on repeat—fast, flavorful, and totally customizable. Serve it over rice, noodles, or veggies and enjoy better-than-takeout at home!