This sweet chili chicken is battered chicken pieces that are cooked to crispy brown perfection, then tossed in sweet chili sauce. Serve over rice for a complete meal that’s even better than take out!
I love to make my take out favorites at home, like cream cheese wontons, egg rolls, lemon chicken and Mongolian beef. This sweet chili chicken is a remake of a dish I get at my local Thai restaurant and let me tell you, it’s a good one.
I always have a bottle of sweet chili sauce in my fridge. It goes well with so many different foods, but I have to say, this sweet chili chicken is one of my favorite ways to use chili sauce. This is an easy and flavorful dish that takes like it came from your local Thai restaurant.
How do you make sweet chili chicken?
The first step is to batter your chicken pieces in egg and flour. I use boneless skinless chicken breasts. If you prefer chicken thighs, that would also be a great choice.
The chicken pieces get fried until they’re golden brown and crispy. The secret to easy frying is to use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of your oil. You want your oil to be right around 350 degrees F. If the oil is too hot, the outside of the chicken will burn while the inside is still raw. If the oil is too cold, the coating will absorb a lot more oil and you’ll end up with a heavier dish.
What is sweet chili sauce?
Sweet chili sauce is a prepared Thai sauce that comes in glass bottles. It can be found in most grocery stores in the ethnic foods aisle. If your local grocery store doesn’t carry it, try an Asian supermarket. Despite its name, chili sauce is not overly spicy. I think of it as a Thai version of sweet and sour sauce. Sweet chili sauce pairs particularly well with chicken and shrimp.
The chicken pieces get coated in the sweet chili sauce, then you’re ready to eat! Add a little sliced green onion, then serve your chicken over steamed rice. Not a fan of rice? Try noodles, quinoa or even zucchini noodles instead.
This dish is best served immediately, as the coating on the chicken will start to soften when it hits the sauce. I often offer a green vegetable on the side, such as broccoli, green beans or asparagus.
Sweet chili chicken is a unique and delicious dinner offering that’s sure to become part of your regular meal rotation. No need to call for take out when you can make it at home!
More Asian food favorites
- Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
- Thai Cucumber Salad
- Thai Peanut Noodles
Sweet Chili Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- oil for frying
- 3/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1/3 cup sliced green onions
Instructions
- Place the eggs in a bowl, add salt and pepper to taste
- Mix the flour and cornstarch together and place in a shallow bowl or on a plate
- Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pot to 350 degrees F
- Dip each piece of chicken into the egg, then roll into the flour mixture. Repeat with all of the chicken.
- Fry 7-8 pieces of chicken at a time for 5 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Repeat the process with all of the chicken.
- Toss the chicken with the chili sauce. Sprinkle with green onions and serve.
Amanda says
I wish I could leave a picture. This turned out very well. My first successful time making a deep fried fish too. Thank you!!
Kathy says
Can you make this by baking or roasting the chicken instead of frying it?
Sara says
Yes you may want to pan sear it before baking to get that crispy outer coating!
Yeah Lifestyle says
Oh yum!! My mouth is watering just by looking at your amazing photo. I love chicken, rice and a bit of spice. So this dish is perfect for me!
Khushboo Motihar says
I would love to make Sweet Chilli Tofu due to my dietary restrictions. I am sure people who eat non vegetarian food would love to try your recipe 🙂
Catherine says
This looks absolutely delicious! I wish I could dig right into this…I know my family would enjoy this too.
Annette, 3 Little Buttons says
That looks really good! I bet you could use the same chicken recipe for sweet and sour hong kong style chicken. Being able to make your fav take aways is such a good idea. I need to get practicing!
siennylovesdrawing says
great sharing!! Love your passion for recipe creating & cooking 😀 Yeah!! Gonna try making this ya 😀
cheers, siennylovesdrawing
Jenny says
This looks delicious, I think I will make this tonight for dinner.
Joanna says
I do love Thai food and had sweet chili chicken before. It is so delicious! I’d love to make this recipe at home, for one of my next week’s dinners.
kumamonjeng says
Sweet chili is something I really love love love. And you right, the Thai sweet chili is what I prefer. It looks so nice on top of the white rice. I can imagine I am having them for my dinner already. May try this out for my Chinese new year celebration as we are having a big party on the first day.
Bethany Stout says
This looks so yummy. Big fan of chicken so I will definitly be trying this one out. Thanks for sharing it.
Shannon says
For real though, this looks amazing! I can’t wait to give this a try this next week! Thinking Monday night’s dinner!!
Brianna says
This makes my mouth water. I can taste it already. I love sweet and spicy chicken
Alexandra says
I am literally drooling haha! This looks INCREDIBLE! One of my favourite dishes – I am so excited to try your recipe.
Stacie says
I need this in my life! I love sweet and heat mixed together. It’s one of my favorite flavor combinations.
Mary Walton says
Just made it for dinner tonight, almost exactly as written (just sprinkle more sesame seeds before serving). Look and Taste are so attractive and yummy! Thanks for great recipe!
Sara says
So happy to hear you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!