Easy Sweet Chili Chicken (30 Minutes)
Crispy, juicy chicken coated in a sticky, sweet and tangy chili sauce with a little kick. This easy sweet chili chicken recipe is ready in just 30 minutes. I shallow-fry the cornstarch-coated chicken and let the crust set before flipping so it stays crispy.
Ingredients
- 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
- ⅓ cup cornstarch add more if needed
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 green onion finely chopped
Sauce
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lime juice freshly squeezed
- ½ teaspoon lime zest freshly grated
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all the listed sauce ingredients and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
- Cut each chicken thigh into even 1.5-inch pieces and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Don't pat the chicken dry; a little surface moisture helps the cornstarch stick.
- Season the chicken with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Add the cornstarch and toss until every piece is evenly coated. If wet spots remain, add 1-2 tablespoons more cornstarch as needed.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat to 350°F. Fry the chicken in a single layer, working in small batches, for about 6-7 minutes per batch. Leave the chicken undisturbed until the bottom is golden and the crust has set before flipping. Cook until both sides are golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer the fried chicken to a wire rack to allow excess oil to drain and keep the coating crispy. Remove any browned bits from the oil and let it reheat to 350°F between batches.
- Transfer the crispy chicken to a clean large mixing bowl. Right before serving, pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and gently toss until every piece is evenly coated. Garnish with chopped green onions. Serve immediately.
Enjoyed my recipe?Please leave a 5 star review (be kind)! Tag me on social media @christieathome as I'd love to see your creations!
Suggested Equipment & Products
Nutrition
Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 1071mg | Potassium: 402mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg