Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken in glossy sweet chili sauce with garlic, ginger, and honey. A quick 40-minute Asian-inspired dinner perfect for busy weeknights.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ Sweet Chili Sauce

06 - 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
07 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons honey
09 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
10 - 2 cloves garlic minced
11 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
12 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

→ Garnishes

13 - 2 green onions thinly sliced
14 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

# How To Cook:

01 - Toss chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a bowl until evenly coated.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
03 - Add garlic and ginger to the same skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
05 - Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat in the sauce and simmer for 2–3 minutes, until sauce thickens and becomes sticky.
06 - Remove from heat. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over steamed rice or with stir-fried vegetables.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce achieves that perfect restaurant glossiness without any complicated techniques or obscure ingredients
  • It hits that craveable balance of sweet and heat that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd your pan when searing the chicken or it will steam instead of getting that golden exterior
  • The sauce thickens quickly once it starts simmering, so keep it moving to prevent burning
03 -
  • Let your chicken come to room temperature before cooking for more even browning
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before garnishing for deeper flavor

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