Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe: 1 Crispy, Sticky, and Better Than Takeout

I was craving sweet, spicy comfort and didn’t want to wait for delivery. I tossed together this sweet chili chicken recipe, and it hit every craving—crispy, sticky, saucy, and ready in 20 minutes flat.

Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

This sweet chili chicken recipe is everything: fast, crispy, and packed with bold flavor. The chicken is golden and crunchy. The sauce? Sweet, tangy, just a little spicy. You only need 20 minutes. It’s better than takeout—and cheaper too.

Why you’ll love this:

• Quick cook time
• Crispy, juicy chicken
• Glossy sweet chili glaze
• Simple pantry ingredients
• Perfect over rice or veggies

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s break it down.

For the Chicken:

• 600 g chicken (breast or thigh)
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp cracked black pepper
• 1 egg
• ½ cup cornflour
• Oil for frying (canola or vegetable)

For the Sweet Chili Sauce:

• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• ½ cup sweet chili sauce
• ¼ cup tamari or soy sauce
• ¼ cup vinegar (rice wine, white, or lime juice)

Optional Garnish and Sides:

• Steamed rice
• Sliced scallion
• Sesame seeds

How to Make Sweet Chili Chicken

This sweet chili chicken recipe is super easy. Here’s how:

1. Mix the Chicken:
In a bowl, combine chicken, spices, egg, and cornflour. Mix well. Coat evenly.

2. Make the Sauce:
In another bowl, mix garlic, ginger, sweet chili sauce, tamari, and vinegar. Set aside.

3. Fry the Chicken:
Heat oil in a pan. Fry chicken in batches. Cook 5–6 minutes. Flip once. Drain on paper towels.

4. Simmer the Sauce:
Wipe pan. Add sauce. Simmer 2–3 minutes.

5. Combine:
Return chicken to pan. Toss to coat. Serve hot.

Top with spring onion and sesame seeds. Spoon over steamed rice. Done.

Air Fryer Option

This sweet chili chicken recipe works in the air fryer too:

• Skip mixing cornflour into the chicken
• Dip each piece in cornflour after seasoning
• Spray chicken and air fryer with oil
• Cook at 200°C (400°F) for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway
• Toss in sauce before serving

What to Serve with Sweet Chili Chicken

This dish is flexible. Great with:

• White or cauliflower rice
• Stir-fried bok choy or broccoli
• Cucumber salad with vinegar

Want more bowls? Try this Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe. Easy and filling.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store leftovers up to 3 days in the fridge.
Reheat in a skillet for best crisp.
Microwave if needed—flavor stays.

Variations on This Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

One of the best things about this sweet chili chicken recipe is how flexible it is. You can easily adjust it to fit your cravings or what’s in your fridge.

1. Swap the Protein:
Use shrimp, tofu, or even cauliflower for a plant-based twist.

2. Make It Spicier:
Add red pepper flakes or a spoonful of sriracha to the sauce.

3. Lower the Carbs:
Serve with cauliflower rice or sautéed greens instead of white rice.

4. Go Extra Crispy:
Double-coat the chicken by dipping in egg, then cornflour twice.

5. Add Veggies:
Throw in bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli. Add them to the sauce before tossing in the chicken.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Sweet Chili Chicken

Even a great sweet chili chicken recipe can go wrong if you’re not careful. Here’s what to avoid:

1. Skipping the Cornflour:
It’s key for that light, crispy texture. Don’t swap it for regular flour—it won’t give the same crunch.

2. Overcrowding the Pan:
Too much chicken in one batch drops the oil temperature. You’ll get soggy instead of crispy. Fry in batches.

3. Using Low-Heat Oil:
Stick to canola or vegetable oil. Olive oil burns fast and softens the crust.

4. Not Drying the Chicken:
Wet chicken = mushy coating. Pat dry before mixing with egg and spices.

5. Overcooking the Sauce:
Simmer just 2–3 minutes. Too long, and it gets sticky or burns. The sauce should coat—not caramelize.

Stick to the steps, avoid these mistakes, and your sweet chili chicken recipe will turn out perfectly every time.

More Easy Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

Looking for more like this sweet chili chicken recipe? Try:

• Bang Bang Chicken Bowl – spicy and creamy
• Black Pepper Chicken Recipe – bold and fast

FAQ: Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

Final Thoughts

This sweet chili chicken recipe is a game-changer. It’s quick, bold, and satisfying. If you love fast, flavorful dinners—this one’s for you.

Need crispy tips? Learn how to properly stir-fry chicken. Curious about the benefits? Read about the health benefits of chili peppers.