Description
Sweet Chili Sauce Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a vibrant sweet chili sauce that perfectly balances spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings. It uses simple pantry staples and is easily customizable for different dietary preferences, making it a crowd-pleasing, fuss-free meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
Sauce
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Cooking
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
Garnishes
- 2 green onions or scallions, chopped
- Optional: chili flakes or fresh chili for extra heat
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim and cut the chicken breasts or thighs into bite-size pieces to ensure quick cooking and easy eating.
- Heat the Pan and Sauté: Warm olive or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Build the Sauce: In the same pan, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Stir in the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and fresh lime juice. Bring to a gentle simmer and allow the sauce to thicken slightly, melding all flavors together.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the pan and toss well in the sauce until every piece is thoroughly coated and glossy.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by sprinkling chopped green onions and optional chili flakes for color and heat. Serve immediately for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh chicken for optimal tenderness and pat dry before cooking.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure a beautiful sear instead of steaming; cook in batches if needed.
- If sauce is too thin, simmer longer to reduce or add a cornstarch slurry to thicken.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or tanginess with additional lime juice or a pinch of sugar.
- For deeper flavor, marinate chicken in sweet chili sauce and garlic for 20 minutes before cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: sweet chili sauce chicken, quick chicken recipe, spicy sweet chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Asian chicken, gluten-free chicken, kid-friendly chicken