🎉 Introduction
If you’re craving a dish that’s crispy, sticky, sweet, spicy, and absolutely addictive, this Sweet Chili Chicken is about to become one of your all-time favorites. It features tender chicken breast pieces coated in a light, crispy batter and tossed in a glossy sweet chili sauce that’s savory, sticky, and full of flavor. In every bite, you get the perfect combination of crunch and juicy tenderness, balanced with the irresistible sweetness and mild heat of the sauce.
This dish is inspired by Asian street-food flavors but made with simple ingredients you already have at home. You don’t need a deep fryer or complicated equipment — just basic pantry essentials and a skillet. It’s quick, flavorful, satisfying, and pairs well with rice, noodles, or vegetables.
Whether you’re cooking for family, hosting friends, or simply craving a restaurant-style meal at home, this Sweet Chili Chicken delivers big flavor with little effort. The crispy chicken coating stays crunchy even after absorbing the sticky sauce, and the green onions add the perfect burst of freshness and color.
It’s sweet.
It’s spicy.
It’s crispy.
It’s ridiculously delicious.
Let’s make it.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or wok
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs
- Whisk
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Paper towels
- Slotted spoon
- Measuring cups & spoons
🛒 Ingredients
For the Crispy Chicken
- 1½ lbs chicken breasts (boneless, skinless), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
For the Sweet Chili Sauce
- ¾ cup sweet chili sauce
- ⅓ cup green onions, chopped
Optional add-ins (not required but amazing):
- 1 tsp soy sauce (salt balance)
- 1 tsp honey (extra gloss)
- 1 clove minced garlic (extra flavor)
👩🍳 Directions
⭐ Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Cut chicken breasts into evenly sized bite-sized cubes.
Season lightly with:
- Salt
- Black pepper
Set aside.
⭐ Step 2: Make the Crispy Coating
In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth.
In another bowl, mix together:
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- Salt + pepper
This blend creates a super crispy coating that stays crunchy under sauce.
⭐ Step 3: Coat the Chicken
Dip each chicken piece:
- Into the egg mixture
- Then into the flour-cornstarch mixture
Press slightly so the coating sticks firmly.
⭐ Step 4: Fry Until Golden & Crispy
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high.
Add chicken pieces in batches — don’t overcrowd.
Fry:
- 4–6 minutes total
- Turning occasionally
- Until golden, crispy, and fully cooked
Remove and place on paper towels to drain.
Your kitchen will smell amazing at this point.
⭐ Step 5: Warm the Sweet Chili Sauce
In a clean skillet, add the sweet chili sauce.
Heat on low for 1–2 minutes until slightly warm and glossy.
Add optional soy sauce, honey, or garlic if using.
⭐ Step 6: Coat the Chicken
Add the crispy chicken to the skillet with sauce.
Toss until every piece is fully coated in sticky, shiny sweet chili goodness.
The sauce will cling beautifully to the crispy edges.
⭐ Step 7: Garnish & Serve
Turn off heat and sprinkle with chopped green onions.
Serve immediately and enjoy the perfect mix of:
- Sweet
- Spicy
- Sticky
- Crispy
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: ~30 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store for 3 days in an airtight container.
Freezer
Freeze the chicken without sauce up to 2 months.
Reheating
- Air fryer restores crispiness
- Skillet reheating is best
- Microwave is convenient but less crispy
Tip:
Always reheat with extra sweet chili sauce!
🥄 Variations
1. Extra Spicy Sweet Chili Chicken
Add crushed red pepper or sliced fresh chili.
2. Sticky Orange Sweet Chili Chicken
Add 2 tbsp orange juice + zest.
3. Honey Chili Chicken
Add extra honey for a glossy, sweeter glaze.
4. Sesame Sweet Chili Chicken
Top with toasted sesame seeds.
5. Veggie Add-Ins
Stir-fry:
- Broccoli
- Snap peas
- Bell peppers
6. Air Fryer Version
Air fry chicken at 390°F (200°C) for 12–14 minutes.
7. Sweet Chili Chicken Bowls
Serve over rice with:
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Crispy onions
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes — they stay juicy and are perfect for this recipe.
2. Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
Yes — bake at 425°F (220°C) for 18–20 minutes.
3. Is sweet chili sauce spicy?
Mild heat — kid-friendly.
4. Can I make this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free flour and GF chili sauce.
5. Will the chicken stay crispy under the sauce?
Yes — the cornstarch keeps it crisp for a long time.
6. Can I double the sauce?
Absolutely — highly recommended!
7. What can I serve this with?
Great options:
- Rice
- Veggie stir-fry
- Noodles
- Roasted vegetables
8. Can I meal prep this?
Yes — store sauce separately to keep chicken crisp.
9. What oil is best for frying?
Canola, vegetable, or peanut oil.
10. Do I need a deep fryer?
No — a skillet works perfectly.
🏁 Conclusion
This Sweet Chili Chicken recipe is the perfect mix of crispy texture and bold flavor. Every bite brings juicy chicken coated in a crunchy golden batter and smothered in sticky sweet chili sauce. It’s easy, quick, comforting, and even better than takeout — with simple ingredients you already have at home.
Whether you’re looking for a flavorful weeknight dinner, a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or a comforting bowl of sweet and spicy goodness, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
It’s sweet.
It’s crispy.
It’s spicy.
It’s unforgettable.
A guaranteed dinner hit.
Sweet Chili Chicken – Crispy, Sticky, Sweet & Spicy Asian-Inspired Dinner
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Ingredients
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Discover more than 1700+ delicious recipes you can cook at home. Easy, step-by-step instructions with new recipes added every day.
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Equipment
Method
- Cut chicken breasts into evenly sized bite-sized cubes.
- Season lightly with:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth.
- In another bowl, mix together:
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- Salt + pepper
- This blend creates a super crispy coating that stays crunchy under sauce.
- Dip each chicken piece:
- Into the egg mixture
- Then into the flour-cornstarch mixture
- Press slightly so the coating sticks firmly.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high.
- Add chicken pieces in batches — don’t overcrowd.
- Fry:
- 4–6 minutes total
- Turning occasionally
- Until golden, crispy, and fully cooked
- Remove and place on paper towels to drain.
- Your kitchen will smell amazing at this point.
- In a clean skillet, add the sweet chili sauce.
- Heat on low for 1–2 minutes until slightly warm and glossy.
- Add optional soy sauce, honey, or garlic if using.
- Add the crispy chicken to the skillet with sauce.
- Toss until every piece is fully coated in sticky, shiny sweet chili goodness.
- The sauce will cling beautifully to the crispy edges.
- Turn off heat and sprinkle with chopped green onions.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the perfect mix of:
- Sweet
- Spicy
- Sticky
- Crispy
Notes
Refrigerator Store for 3 days in an airtight container. Freezer Freeze the chicken without sauce up to 2 months. Reheating Air fryer restores crispiness Skillet reheating is best Microwave is convenient but less crispy Tip: Always reheat with extra sweet chili sauce! 🥄 Variations
1. Extra Spicy Sweet Chili Chicken Add crushed red pepper or sliced fresh chili. 2. Sticky Orange Sweet Chili Chicken Add 2 tbsp orange juice + zest. 3. Honey Chili Chicken Add extra honey for a glossy, sweeter glaze. 4. Sesame Sweet Chili Chicken Top with toasted sesame seeds. 5. Veggie Add-Ins Stir-fry: Broccoli Snap peas Bell peppers 6. Air Fryer Version Air fry chicken at 390°F (200°C) for 12–14 minutes. 7. Sweet Chili Chicken Bowls Serve over rice with: Cucumbers Carrots Crispy onions ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use chicken thighs? Yes — they stay juicy and are perfect for this recipe. 2. Can I bake the chicken instead of frying? Yes — bake at 425°F (220°C) for 18–20 minutes. 3. Is sweet chili sauce spicy? Mild heat — kid-friendly. 4. Can I make this gluten-free? Use gluten-free flour and GF chili sauce. 5. Will the chicken stay crispy under the sauce? Yes — the cornstarch keeps it crisp for a long time. 6. Can I double the sauce? Absolutely — highly recommended! 7. What can I serve this with? Great options: Rice Veggie stir-fry Noodles Roasted vegetables 8. Can I meal prep this? Yes — store sauce separately to keep chicken crisp. 9. What oil is best for frying? Canola, vegetable, or peanut oil. 10. Do I need a deep fryer? No — a skillet works perfectly. 🏁 Conclusion This Sweet Chili Chicken recipe is the perfect mix of crispy texture and bold flavor. Every bite brings juicy chicken coated in a crunchy golden batter and smothered in sticky sweet chili sauce. It’s easy, quick, comforting, and even better than takeout — with simple ingredients you already have at home. Whether you’re looking for a flavorful weeknight dinner, a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or a comforting bowl of sweet and spicy goodness, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort. It’s sweet.
It’s crispy.
It’s spicy.
It’s unforgettable. A guaranteed dinner hit.
