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Crispy Sweet Chili Chicken: Your Takeaway Favorite, Made Easy at Home!

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Crispy Sweet Chili Chicken is a delicious Asian-inspired dish featuring crunchy fried chicken pieces coated in a sticky, tangy, and mildly spicy sweet chili sauce. Perfect served over rice with scallions and sesame seeds.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp sea salt flakes
  • ½ tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup (60 g) cornflour (cornstarch)
  • Oil, for frying
  • 1 tsp freshly minced garlic
  • 1 tsp freshly minced ginger
  • ½ cup (125 ml) sweet chili sauce
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) tamari or all-purpose soy sauce
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) rice wine vinegar or alternative
  • Steamed rice, for serving
  • 1 spring onion (scallion), finely sliced
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken in a large bowl with sweet paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, egg, and cornflour. Mix well until a paste forms around the chicken. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix garlic, ginger, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and vinegar. Set aside.
  3. Heat oil in a large deep frying pan over medium–high heat. Fry chicken for 5–6 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towel.
  4. Drain and clean the frying pan. Reheat over medium–low heat and add sauce. Stir for 2–3 minutes until it bubbles and thickens slightly.
  5. Return chicken to the pan, stirring to coat evenly in the sauce.
  6. Serve immediately over steamed rice. Top with sliced spring onions and sesame seeds.
  7. Optional: Add 1–2 tbsp boiling water to the pan after removing the chicken, stir, and drizzle remaining sauce over the dish.
  8. Air fryer method: Coat chicken in egg and spices (not cornflour). Dip each piece in cornflour separately. Spray air fryer basket with oil, place chicken in single layer, spray again. Cook at 200°C (400°F) for 6–8 minutes, turning halfway. Toss cooked chicken in sauce.

Notes

  • Use chicken thigh for juicier texture, or breast for leaner option.
  • Adjust spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of chili sauce.
  • Use tamari for gluten-free option.
  • Air frying reduces oil usage while keeping the crispiness.
  • Great for meal prep—store sauce and chicken separately to retain crispiness.

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