There’s something irresistibly vibrant about this Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe—the way crispy chicken pieces get luxuriously coated in a sticky, sweet-spicy sauce, it makes dinner feel like a little celebration. I love how simple ingredients come together to impress every time.

The dish shows many pieces of golden brown fried chicken coated in a shiny orange sauce, layered closely on a round black cast iron pan. On top, the chicken pieces are sprinkled with white sesame seeds and chopped green onions, adding small drops of white and bright green color. The pan rests on a dark wooden surface with a dark brown cloth next to it, a small bowl with sliced green onions visible in the top right corner and a bowl of white rice partly visible at the bottom left. The overall scene is warm and inviting, with the contrast between the rich orange chicken and dark pan making the dish stand out vividly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe quickly became one of my go-tos when I want a meal that’s packed with flavor but doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen. It’s comforting, with just the right kick from the chili sauce, and perfectly balanced sweetness.

Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights when you want a delicious meal without fuss.
Flavor Bomb: The combination of sweet chili sauce, honey, and sriracha adds layers of sweet heat that your taste buds will adore.
Versatile & Customizable: You can tweak the spice level and sweetness to match your mood or what’s in your pantry.
Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike love the familiar yet exciting flavors, making it a crowd pleaser every time.

The image shows many small golden-brown pieces of fried chicken coated with a shiny orange sauce, spread across a white plate. The chicken pieces have a crispy texture visible through the glossy sauce. Tiny white sesame seeds and small chopped green onions are sprinkled evenly on top, adding green and white accents. The plate rests on a white marbled surface, and the close-up view highlights the moist, saucy texture of the chicken and the fresh garnishes. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe plays a crucial role to create that perfect balance of crispy, savory, sweet, and spicy. Picking fresh chicken and a good quality chili sauce will seriously level up your dish.

Flat lay of two raw boneless skinless chicken breasts, a small white bowl of cornstarch, a small white bowl of paprika powder, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl of black pepper, a small white bowl of canola oil, a small white bowl of bright red Thai sweet chili sauce, a small white bowl of dark soy sauce, a small white bowl of vibrant red sriracha sauce, a small white bowl of minced garlic, a small white bowl of ground ginger, a small white bowl of golden honey, a simple white plate with a mound of fluffy cooked white rice, a few fresh green onion stalks whole and unchopped, and a small white bowl filled with white sesame seeds, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Easy to cube and cooks quickly, offering tender, juicy bites.
Cornstarch: The secret to that irresistible crispy texture on the chicken once fried.
Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky depth and beautiful color.
Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the flavors.
Black Pepper: Gives a gentle heat and enhances overall taste.
Canola Oil: Perfect for frying thanks to its neutral flavor and high smoke point.
Thai Sweet Chili Sauce: The star of the show that brings sweet and spicy harmony.
Soy Sauce: Adds umami richness and balances out the sweetness.
Sriracha Sauce: Your personal spice level adjuster – it wakes up the dish beautifully.
Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic gives a punchy aroma and taste that makes everything pop.
Ground Ginger: Brings warmth and a hint of zing that pairs well with the chili flavors.
Honey: Sweetens naturally and helps create that lovely glaze.
Cooked White Rice: The perfect neutral base soaking up all the sauce.
Green Onions & Sesame Seeds: Garnishes that add freshness and a little crunch.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe depending on what I’m in the mood for or have on hand. Don’t hesitate to make it your own—switch up the heat, swap the chicken for tofu, or add veggies.

Variation: Sometimes, I like to add bell peppers or snap peas for a fresh crunch that brightens the dish and boosts the veggie quotient.
Dietary Twist: You can easily swap canola oil for coconut oil or chicken breasts for thigh meat to suit your taste.
Spice Level: Adjust sriracha to your liking, or add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want it extra fiery.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Coat the Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Toss them in a mixture of cornstarch, paprika, salt, and pepper until every piece is lightly coated. This step is key to getting that crispy exterior once fried—trust me, skipping the cornstarch won’t give you the same crunch.

Step 2: Fry Until Golden and Crispy

Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches—don’t overcrowd the pan or they’ll steam instead of crisp up. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per batch until golden on all sides. Drain on paper towels to keep them crispy.

Step 3: Whip Up the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix your sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, sriracha, minced garlic, ground ginger, and honey. This blend brings that perfect sweet-heat balance.

Step 4: Toss Chicken in the Sauce

Return the fried chicken to the pan, pour the sauce over it, and toss quickly on medium heat. Just cook for 2-3 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly and clings to every piece. This is where the magic happens.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Serve the saucy chicken over steamed white rice, sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, then dig in immediately. You’ll love the contrast between crispy chicken and luscious sauce.

Top Tip

After several tries, I found a few tips that make this Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe a total winner every time. From how to get the crispiest chicken to balancing the sauce flavors, these little tweaks have made a huge difference in my kitchen.

Dry Chicken for Crispy Texture: Pat your chicken pieces completely dry before coating them. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness!
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry in small batches so the oil stays hot and the chicken crisps up perfectly instead of steaming.
Taste and Adjust Sauce: Before tossing the chicken, taste your sauce. Add more honey if you want sweeter or more sriracha for extra heat.
Quick Toss: When coating the fried chicken in sauce, keep the cooking time short to maintain that satisfying crunch.

How to Serve Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

Sweet Chili Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always reach for chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds to finish the dish—they add freshness and a nice crunch that complements the sauce perfectly. Sometimes, a squeeze of lime adds a bright, zesty touch I just can’t resist.

Side Dishes

Pair with fluffy white rice or jasmine rice to soak up all that beautiful sauce. For something lighter, steamed broccoli or a simple cucumber salad provides a refreshing contrast that balances the sweet and spicy flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, I’ve served this Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe in lettuce wraps with fresh herbs and shredded carrots—super fresh and perfect for entertaining. It’s also fantastic on skewers as an appetizer at casual gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover sweet chili chicken keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually store the sauce and chicken together, but keep any garnishes separate to preserve their texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a couple times with success—just cool it completely, then pack it in freezer-safe containers. When thawed, the chicken might lose a bit of crispiness, but the flavors still shine through.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, I gently reheat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. This keeps the chicken from getting soggy like the microwave might, and the sauce thickens nicely again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are more forgiving and stay juicy. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces and adjust frying times a bit if needed.

How spicy is this Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe?

The spiciness is moderate and mostly comes from the sriracha. You can easily control the heat by adjusting the amount of sriracha or omitting it for a milder dish.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, just replace soy sauce with tamari or another gluten-free alternative and make sure your sweet chili sauce is gluten-free too. Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, so no worries there.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers without losing crispiness?

Reheating gently in a skillet, stirring occasionally, works best to keep some crunch. Avoid microwaving directly as it tends to make the coating soggy.

Final Thoughts

This Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe holds a warm spot in my recipe collection because it effortlessly combines ease and bold flavor—two things I always aim for in weeknight cooking. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll quickly become a favorite in your kitchen too, especially when you want something satisfying without the stress.