Sweet Chili Chicken: A Sticky, Tangy Weeknight Wonder

Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

Introduction

A Sweet Chili Chicken recipe blends just the right amount of heat, tang, and sticky sweetness, resulting in a weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing party dish that comes together fast while delivering maximum flavor. The glossy sauce clings to juicy chicken, making every forkful unforgettable—think takeout-style taste made right at home.

This recipe is perfect for anyone looking to shake up routine chicken dinners with minimal fuss and pantry-friendly ingredients. In under 30 minutes, you’ll transform everyday chicken into something wildly craveable.

Why Sweet Chili Chicken Stands Out

What sets this dish apart is the complexity of flavors: sweet, savory, tangy, and a whisper of spice dance across your palate. Using boneless, skinless chicken means faster cooking, and pairing with bright fresh veggies gives the meal color and crunch. The signature sauce, thickened to a luscious glaze, invites everyone back for seconds.

Prepping the Chicken and Vegetables

Efficiency is key in this recipe, and tools that speed up prep can make all the difference:

Start by dicing chicken into bite-size pieces. For quick, uniform vegetable chopping—think red bell peppers, onions, and carrots—try the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper. This ensures your veggies cook evenly and adds visual appeal to your dish.

Once prepped, set everything aside on a plate or in a bowl for easy access when it’s time to cook.

Cooking the Sweet Chili Chicken

You can stir-fry the chicken traditionally or use an air fryer for a lighter yet still satisfying crisp. If you prefer air frying, arrange the seasoned chicken on sheets of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for easy cleanup and ideal browning inside your COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1. For the stovetop method, a sturdy nonstick pan like the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet gives great sear with minimal sticking.

After browning the chicken, add the chopped vegetables and sauté briefly until just tender. Pour over your homemade sweet chili sauce, letting it bubble into a glossy, thick glaze. Toss everything well so the chicken and vegetables are generously coated.

Serving & Storing Sweet Chili Chicken

Serve hot over cooked jasmine rice or noodles, garnished with chopped scallions and sesame seeds. For meal prep, portion servings into leakproof containers like Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers—great for lunchboxes or make-ahead meals. A side salad stored in a Bentgo Salad Container rounds out a nutritious meal.

This dish is also fantastic for gatherings: make a double batch, lay out on a large platter, and let guests help themselves to the sweet, sticky goodness.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves four and, with lean chicken breast and fresh vegetables, clocks in around 350–400 calories per serving (not including rice). The sweet chili sauce is lighter than traditional takeout, with less oil but all the bold flavor.

Sweet Chili Chicken (Recap)

This Sweet Chili Chicken recipe is a weeknight dinner hero—simple, fast, and bursting with flavor that rivals your favorite restaurant. Sticky sweet chili glaze, crisp-tender veggies, and juicy chicken combine for a crave-worthy dinner that everyone will love.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup carrots, thinly sliced
1/2 large yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup sweet chili sauce (store bought or homemade)
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp water
Cooked jasmine rice or noodles, to serve
Chopped scallions and sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep chicken and vegetables. Use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for even and quick dicing of veggies and chicken.
  2. If air frying, toss chicken pieces with 1/2 Tbsp oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange on Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll in your COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1 and cook at 400°F for 9–11 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and cooked through. Skip to step 5.
  3. For stovetop: Heat SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet over medium-high. Add oil, then chicken. Cook until golden and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  4. Add garlic, onion, bell pepper, and carrots to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, until slightly softened.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (if using), and cornstarch slurry. Pour sauce into the skillet or air fryer basket. Add chicken and stir everything gently to coat.
  6. Cook for 2–3 more minutes, letting the sauce bubble and thicken to a glossy, sticky glaze.
  7. Serve hot over jasmine rice or noodles. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds. Store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for easy reheating.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Enjoy the irresistible flavors of sweet chili chicken—an easy, delicious upgrade to any meal rotation!

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