Asian Sweet Chili Chicken

Few dishes manage to balance crispy, sweet, and slightly spicy all in one bite, but Asian Sweet Chili Chicken does it effortlessly. Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner that’s quick yet indulgent or a dish to impress your family, this recipe is guaranteed to become a favorite. Crispy chicken pieces are coated in a light tempura batter, fried to perfection, and tossed in a sticky, flavorful sweet chili sauce. Every bite delivers that perfect combination of textures and flavors that makes you reach for just one more piece.

This recipe is not only easy to prepare but versatile enough for weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or even meal prep for a special treat during the week. With just 25 minutes from start to finish, you can have a restaurant-quality dish right at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s what makes this Asian Sweet Chili Chicken so irresistible:

• Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside: The tempura-style batter locks in moisture while creating a delicate, crunchy crust.
• Sweet, sticky, slightly spicy flavor: Thai sweet chili sauce combined with crushed red pepper makes the perfect balance.
• Quick and simple: Ready in just 25 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
• Family-friendly: Loved by kids and adults alike.
• Customizable heat: Adjust the crushed red pepper to your preferred spice level.
• Gorgeous presentation: Garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, this dish looks as good as it tastes.

Ingredients Breakdown

This recipe serves 6 people. All ingredients are measured accurately for perfect results.

Tempura-Battered Chicken

• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup ice-cold water
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

Sauce

• Canola oil for frying
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced (tip to tail, excluding roots)
• ½ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

Optional Garnishes

• White sesame seeds
• Minced green onions

Tools & Equipment Needed

You don’t need fancy equipment—just simple kitchen tools:

• Large mixing bowl
• Slotted spoon
• Frying pan or deep skillet (for frying 2–3 inches of oil)
• Tongs
• Paper towels (for draining excess oil)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife and cutting board

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps carefully to ensure the perfect crispy, sticky, sweet, and slightly spicy chicken.

Preparing the Chicken and Batter

1. Mix the batter: In a large bowl, combine egg whites, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, water, and 2 tablespoons of canola oil. Stir until smooth and slightly thick.
2. Coat the chicken: Add chicken thigh pieces to the batter, ensuring each piece is fully coated.

Frying the Chicken

1. Heat oil: In a frying pan, add enough canola oil to fry the chicken without touching the bottom of the pan (about 2–3 inches). Heat over medium-high heat.
2. Fry in batches: Using a slotted spoon, drain excess batter and carefully slide chicken into hot oil.
3. Break apart chicken pieces gently as the crust forms. Fry until golden brown (4–5 minutes per batch).
4. Maintain oil temperature: Work in batches to prevent the oil from cooling too much. Remove fried chicken and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Making the Sauce

1. Reduce oil: Discard most of the frying oil, leaving just a couple of tablespoons in the pan.
2. Sauté aromatics: Add minced garlic and sliced green onions. Cook on medium heat for 20–30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add sauce and spice: Return chicken to the pan. Add Thai sweet chili sauce and crushed red pepper. Toss until chicken is evenly coated and sauce is sticky.

Serving

• Optional garnishes: Sprinkle with sesame seeds or additional minced green onions.
• Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Make it gluten-free: Use cornstarch or rice flour exclusively in the batter and ensure your sweet chili sauce is gluten-free.
• Adjust spice level: Add more crushed red pepper or a dash of sriracha for heat.
• Alternative protein: Swap chicken thighs for boneless chicken breasts, tofu, or cauliflower for vegetarian options.
• Oven-baked option: Bake coated chicken pieces at 400°F for 15–20 minutes for a lighter version. Toss in sauce after baking.
• Extra crispy chicken: Ensure ice-cold water is used in the batter; it helps create a crisper texture when fried.

Flavor Profile & Pairings

Asian Sweet Chili Chicken is crispy, sweet, slightly spicy, and aromatic. The tempura batter gives a delicate crunch while the sauce provides a glossy, sticky coating. The garlic and green onions add an aromatic lift, making the dish irresistible.

Suggested Side Dishes

• Steamed jasmine rice or fried rice
• Stir-fried vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas)
• Asian slaw or cucumber salad
• Noodles tossed lightly in soy sauce and sesame oil

Nutritional Overview

Per serving (approx. 1 cup/6 oz):

• Calories: 398 kcal
• Protein: 16g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 10g

Dietary Notes:

• Can be made gluten-free
• Dairy-free
• Nut-free

Make-Ahead & Meal Prep Tips

• Sauce prep: Sweet chili sauce can be prepared up to a day ahead.
• Chicken prep: Cut and coat chicken in batter ahead of time; refrigerate until ready to fry.
• Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. Reheat in a frying pan or oven to maintain crispiness.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but thaw completely before coating in batter.

2. How do I keep the chicken crispy after frying?
Serve immediately. If storing, reheat in the oven at 375°F for 5–7 minutes.

3. Can I make this dish spicy?
Yes, increase crushed red pepper or add a few drops of sriracha.

4. Can this be made in an air fryer?
Yes, lightly coat chicken in oil spray and air fry at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.

5. How do I prevent the batter from clumping?
Ensure chicken pieces are separated in the batter and stirred gently before frying.

Cooking Timeline (At a Glance)

Task	Time	Notes
Prep chicken & batter	15 min	Cut chicken, mix batter
Fry chicken	10 min	Fry in batches until golden brown
Sauce & toss chicken	2–3 min	Garlic, green onions, sweet chili sauce
Serve	Immediate	Garnish optional

Serving Suggestions

• Arrange chicken on a large platter, drizzle extra sauce on top.
• Garnish with sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions.
• Serve with steamed rice or a crisp vegetable side to balance flavors.

Recipe Variations

1. Spicy Mango Sweet Chili Chicken: Add mango puree to the sauce for a fruity twist.
2. Garlic Parmesan Twist: Toss chicken in grated parmesan and garlic butter instead of sweet chili sauce.
3. Honey Sweet Chili Chicken: Mix honey with Thai chili sauce for a sweeter glaze.
4. Vegetarian Version: Use tofu or cauliflower florets, coated and fried similarly, then tossed in sauce.

Ingredient Spotlight

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

• Provides the signature sticky, sweet, and mildly spicy flavor.
• Store in a cool pantry and shake well before use.

Chicken Thighs

• Dark meat keeps the chicken tender and juicy.
• Cut into uniform pieces for even cooking.

Pro Cooking Tips

• Use ice-cold water in the batter for maximum crispiness.
• Fry chicken in small batches to maintain oil temperature.
• Toss chicken immediately in the sauce for the best coating.
• For extra presentation, lightly toast sesame seeds before sprinkling.

Storage & Freezing Guide

• Cooked chicken: Refrigerate in airtight container 2–3 days.
• Sauce: Store separately for 1–2 days.
• Freezing: Freeze uncooked chicken in batter in airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before frying.

Nutrition Estimate Table (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount	Notes
Calories	398 kcal
Protein	16g
Carbohydrates	38g
Fat	20g
Saturated Fat	4g
Fiber	1g
Sugar	10g
Dietary Notes	Gluten-free option, dairy-free, nut-free

Conclusion

Asian Sweet Chili Chicken is the ultimate combination of crispy, sweet, slightly spicy, and utterly addictive flavors. Perfect for family dinners, casual gatherings, or when you simply want something indulgent, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results at home in under 30 minutes. The sticky, flavorful sauce clings perfectly to each crispy bite, leaving you wanting more.

Try it for dinner tonight, experiment with variations, and watch it quickly become a family favorite. Once you’ve mastered this recipe, it will become a staple in your dinner rotation, offering endless possibilities for sides and twists.

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