Description
A crispy and flavorful Sweet Chili Chicken recipe featuring golden-fried chicken tossed in a sticky, sweet, and mildly spicy sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or appetizers, this dish is easy to make and customizable for any preference.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
For the Sweet Chili Sauce:
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional for extra spice)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water (slurry)
For Garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- In a bowl, whisk the egg and milk together.
- In another bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture, then coat them in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken
- Heat about 1 inch of oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the chicken in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the chicken and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 3: Make the Sweet Chili Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sriracha (if using), garlic, and ginger.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in the cornstarch slurry.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken
- Place the fried chicken in a large bowl and pour the sauce over it. Toss gently to coat evenly.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Baked Version: Bake coated chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Air Fryer Method: Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute chicken with tofu or cauliflower.
- Extra Crunch: Double-fry the chicken for added crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: frying
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Keywords: Sweet chili chicken, crispy fried chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, easy chicken dinner, Asian-inspired chicken recipe.