This Sweet Chili Chicken recipe is a deliciously bold and vibrant dish that blends sweet, spicy, and savory flavors in one irresistible bite. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a flavorful sweet chili glaze with garlic and ginger, making it an ideal choice for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing party dish. Served over rice or noodles and topped with green onions and sesame seeds, it’s a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal you can make at home in just 30 minutes.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp cornstarch

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp minced garlic

• 1 tsp minced ginger

• 1 bell pepper, sliced

• 1 cup broccoli florets

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Sesame seeds, for garnish

• Green onions, sliced, for garnish

Directions

1. Marinate the Chicken:

• In a bowl, combine sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and cornstarch.

• Toss chicken pieces in the mixture to coat well. Let marinate for 15 minutes.

2. Cook the Chicken:

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

• Add marinated chicken and cook for 7–10 minutes until browned and fully cooked.

• Remove chicken and set aside.

3. Sauté the Vegetables:

• In the same skillet, add garlic, ginger, bell pepper, and broccoli.

• Cook for 5–7 minutes until vegetables are tender.

4. Combine and Glaze:

• Return chicken to the skillet and pour in any remaining marinade.

• Stir everything together and cook for 2–3 more minutes until heated through and coated.

5. Serve:

• Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

• Serve hot over jasmine rice, basmati rice, or noodles.

Nutrients (Per serving, approx.)

• Calories: 300

• Fat: 15g

• Carbohydrates: 20g

• Protein: 25g

Why Sweet Chili Sauce Is the Star

At the heart of this recipe is sweet chili sauce—a bold, zesty condiment that brings a glossy, sticky finish and an addictive flavor profile. Popular in many Southeast Asian cuisines, sweet chili sauce combines red chilies, sugar, vinegar, and garlic to create a perfect fusion of spicy and sweet. It’s less intense than hot sauce, making it approachable for a wide range of palates while still delivering a gentle kick.

In this dish, the sauce doesn’t just sit on top—it becomes an integral part of the marinade and glaze, infusing the chicken with flavor from the very first step. When paired with soy sauce for umami depth and cornstarch for a light, crisp texture, the resulting glaze is beautifully sticky and satisfying. The chicken absorbs the marinade as it cooks, creating a rich, flavorful coating in every bite.

Fast, Flexible, and Fuss-Free

One of the best features of Sweet Chili Chicken is its speed and flexibility. From start to finish, this recipe takes just about 30 minutes. There’s no need to marinate the chicken for hours, make any complicated sauces, or use specialty ingredients. Everything comes together quickly in a single skillet or wok, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor.

The vegetables can also be adapted based on what you have on hand. Broccoli and bell pepper are popular choices for their crunch and color, but snap peas, zucchini, baby corn, or even shredded carrots can be used just as easily. This makes the dish an excellent fridge-clean-out recipe that helps reduce food waste while still tasting incredible.

Whether you’re cooking for two or feeding a hungry family, you can scale the recipe up or down without losing its balance. It’s a weeknight staple that doesn’t feel routine thanks to its vibrant taste and easy adaptability.

Perfect Pairings for the Complete Meal

Sweet Chili Chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of base options. For a classic presentation, serve it over steamed jasmine rice or brown rice. The mild, neutral flavor of the rice acts as a canvas, soaking up the glossy sauce without overpowering the chicken. For a more elevated texture and taste, try coconut rice with just a hint of sweetness to echo the tropical flavors of the dish.

Noodles, such as rice noodles or lo mein, make for another delicious pairing. Their chewiness complements the tender chicken and vegetables while absorbing the sauce in all the right places. For a low-carb or lighter option, cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles work well, especially when garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for crunch and color.

A Balanced Nutritional Profile

Despite its bold flavor and satisfying texture, Sweet Chili Chicken offers a balanced nutritional profile that fits into many healthy eating styles. Each serving contains approximately 300 calories, with a solid 25 grams of protein to help fuel your body and keep you full. The use of lean chicken breast ensures low saturated fat content, while olive oil provides heart-healthy fats in moderation.

The vegetables add fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making this meal as nourishing as it is tasty. Adjusting the amount of sauce or choosing a low-sugar sweet chili variety can make it even more diet-friendly for those monitoring their intake. It’s also naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, and it can be adapted for dairy-free or paleo diets with minimal changes.

Aromatic Additions and Variations

To elevate the flavor even further, you can enhance the dish with additional aromatics or ingredients. A splash of lime juice just before serving adds brightness, while crushed peanuts or cashews bring a satisfying crunch. A few dashes of fish sauce or rice vinegar can deepen the umami base, and fresh Thai basil or cilantro can provide a fragrant herbal finish.

If you like more heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few slices of fresh red chili can be added to the skillet. For a hint of sweetness, consider adding pineapple chunks or mango slices, which add another dimension and pair beautifully with the chili sauce. For vegetarians, tofu can replace the chicken, offering a similar texture when properly pressed and pan-seared.

No matter how you tweak it, the base recipe is forgiving, making it a great starting point for culinary creativity.

Ideal for Meal Prep and Leftovers

This dish also stores and reheats wonderfully, making it a strong candidate for meal prep. The flavors often deepen after a day in the fridge, and the sticky glaze clings to the chicken and vegetables even better once cooled and reheated. Portion it into airtight containers with your base of choice for easy grab-and-go lunches or fast dinners throughout the week.

Leftovers can also be repurposed into wraps or lettuce cups for a fresh twist, making Sweet Chili Chicken not only a delicious meal but also a smart choice for practical home cooking.

Conclusion

Sweet Chili Chicken is the kind of recipe that hits every mark—it’s quick, easy, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. With its sticky-sweet glaze, tender chicken, and vibrant vegetables, it transforms everyday ingredients into an exciting, restaurant-worthy dish you can whip up in just 30 minutes. Its adaptability makes it perfect for families, solo cooks, or dinner parties, and its nutritional balance means it’s as good for your body as it is for your taste buds.

Whether you’re craving comfort food or looking to spice up your meal rotation, Sweet Chili Chicken is sure to become a regular favorite. It offers the kind of big flavor and satisfying texture that makes weeknight cooking something to look forward to. From its glossy finish to its bold aroma, it’s a dish that delivers joy in every bite.