Sweet Chilli Chicken is a fantastic, flavour-packed dish that’s quick and easy to whip up, perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe uses tender chicken breast strips tossed in a vibrant sauce made from sweet chili, soy, and honey, giving it that perfect balance of spicy and sweet. The addition of fresh garlic and finely chopped red chili adds a lovely kick, while crisp red and green bell peppers bring colour and crunch. It only takes about 20 minutes to prepare, and the result is a delicious meal that feels like a real treat without any fuss. Trust me, mastering this will take your weeknight dinners to the next level!
Key Takeaways:
- Prep Time: About 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings/Yield: 4 servings
- Difficulty Level: Easy / Intermediate
- Dietary Tags: Gluten-Free option, Kid-Friendly
- Category Tags: Dinner, Quick Meal, Stir-Fry
Recipe Key Info 📝
Here’s the lowdown on making this Sweet Chilli Chicken a winner every time. It’s a straightforward dish that packs serious flavour but doesn’t keep you in the kitchen for hours. You’re looking at just 20 minutes of cooking time—perfect for a quick weeknight meal that doesn’t compromise on taste. The recipe serves four, making it a great choice whether you’re feeding family or having friends over.
You’ll use 500 grams of chicken breast, sliced into strips. This cut cooks quickly and stays tender, which is a game-changer for this type of stir-fry. Vegetable oil is your cooking base, chosen because it handles the medium heat without smoking. The magic starts with garlic and red chili—minced and finely chopped for a balanced punch without overwhelming the dish.
The sauce is a sweet and tangy mix of sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. Combining these gives the chicken a glossy, sticky coating that clings beautifully. When adding the sauce, make sure to stir well to coat every strip; that’s what takes this meal to the next level. Then, toss in the sliced bell peppers just after the sauce—this not only adds vibrant colour but keeps the peppers nicely crisp.
Finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped spring onions for texture and freshness. Serve straight away with steamed rice for a warm, satisfying plate that’s sure to impress and delight. Trust me on this one—it’s a go-to dish you’ll want to keep in your back pocket.
Ingredient List 🛒
Here’s where the magic begins – the ingredient list for our Sweet Chilli Chicken. Having the right ingredients on hand can really take your cooking to the next level, so let’s break it down step-by-step and talk about the why behind each choice.
- 500g (about 1lb) of chicken breast, sliced into strips. Chicken breast cooks quickly and absorbs flavours beautifully, making it perfect for this dish. Cutting it into strips helps everything cook evenly and makes it easy to get a lovely sear on each piece.
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil is ideal as cooking base. It has a neutral flavour and high smoke point, so it handles the medium heat well without burning.
- 4 garlic cloves, minced and 1 red chili, finely chopped. Garlic adds a rich, aromatic background, while chili brings a kick of heat. Adjust chili amount for milder or hotter versions.
- ¼ cup (60ml) sweet chili sauce—balances sweetness and tanginess.
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) soy sauce adds saltiness and depth.
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) rice vinegar to add subtle acidity.
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) honey rounds off the sauce with natural sweetness.
- 1 red bell pepper and 1 green bell pepper, sliced for colour and sweet crunch complementing tender chicken.
- Sesame seeds and chopped spring onions for garnish, adding nutty finish and zing.
Substitution tip: If you don’t have rice vinegar, mild white vinegar or apple cider vinegar works well. Swap chicken for tofu or prawns, adjusting cooking time accordingly. This list is flexible so you can personalize the recipe easily.
Step-by-Step Instructions with Pro Tips 🔪
Here’s how to make Sweet Chilli Chicken that’s packed with flavour and really easy to whip up. I’ve included some handy pro tips to help you get the best results.
1. Heat the Oil and Sauté Aromatics
Start by heating 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. When the oil’s shimmering but not smoking, add your minced garlic and finely chopped red chili. Give it a good stir while it sautés—this only takes about a minute. You want the garlic golden and fragrant, not burnt, because burnt garlic can turn bitter.
Pro tip: Keep the heat medium, watch closely—garlic cooks fast and builds great flavour.
2. Cook the Chicken Strips
Toss in the 500g chicken breast cut into strips. Spread them evenly in the pan. Let them cook undisturbed for a couple of minutes before stirring. This helps the chicken get a nice golden browning which adds texture and taste. Continue cooking until no pink remains and you get an even brown on all sides.
Pro tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming instead of browning. Give it space for golden colour.
3. Mix and Add the Sauce
While the chicken cooks, whisk together ¼ cup sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon honey in a small bowl. This strikes the sweet, tangy, and savoury balance. Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and stir well so every strip is coated.
Pro tip: Stir gently to keep chicken tender and avoid breaking pieces.
4. Add the Bell Peppers and Finish Cooking
Toss in the sliced red and green bell peppers. Cook together 3-4 minutes on medium heat until peppers soften slightly but remain crisp.
Pro tip: Adjust cooking time to your preferred pepper texture.
5. Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped spring onions on top. Serve hot with steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
Pro tip: For more heat, add extra sliced chili or chili flakes as garnish.
This recipe takes about 20 minutes total and serves four. Following these steps will help you impress each time.
Recipe Variations & Serving Suggestions 🍽️
The Sweet Chilli Chicken recipe is versatile, with many ways to customize:
- Add extra chopped red chilies or a splash of sriracha for more heat.
- Reduce chili quantity for a milder meal while keeping the sweet tangy sauce.
- Toss in sliced water chestnuts or chopped cashews for extra crunch.
- Mix in chopped broccoli or snap peas near end for green freshness.
- Serve with steamed jasmine or basmati rice, or swap for quinoa or noodles to vary texture and dietary needs.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in fridge up to 2 days. Reheat gently in pan or microwave with loose cover to keep tender.
- Pair with a simple cucumber salad or crunchy Asian slaw to balance sweetness.
Feel free to adjust ingredients and sides to match family favourites or fridge finds. This recipe adapts well to personal preferences and pantry staples.
Why This Recipe Works 🔍
This Sweet Chilli Chicken balances flavours and textures expertly. Cooking the chicken strips over medium heat allows nice browning and juicy tenderness. Sautéing garlic and red chili first infuses the oil, boosting aroma and heat across the dish.
The sauce is the key combination: sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. The rice vinegar adds acidity to brighten and cut richness, while the honey balances sweetness and heat. Adding sliced bell peppers near the end maintains crispness, color and freshness.
Timing and layering these steps ensures every bite bursts with flavour and texture. It’s a simple, well-crafted dish that consistently impresses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ❓
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicier and more forgiving if you overcook. Cut into strips similar size to breast strips. Cooking time remains close.
How spicy is this dish?
Heat comes from red chili and sweet chili sauce. For milder taste, reduce chili amount or remove seeds before chopping. Add more heat later if desired.
Why sauté garlic and chili first?
This releases their aroma and infuses the cooking oil, developing deep flavour base that transforms the entire dish.
Can I prepare this in advance?
You can chop ingredients and mix sauce ahead. Cook chicken and peppers fresh to maintain best texture and vibrant colour.
Is rice vinegar and honey necessary?
Yes, rice vinegar brings brightness and honey balances sweetness with heat, making the sauce irresistible and well-rounded.
What is best way to serve?
Serve hot with steamed rice to soak up all the sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and spring onions for a visually appealing, flavourful finish.
Conclusion 🎯
Sweet Chilli Chicken is ideal for busy nights, ready in just 20 minutes and packed with big flavour. Browning the chicken locks in juices, keeping strips juicy and tender. The sauce balances sweet, spicy, and tangy notes, while quick-cooked bell peppers add crunch and fresh colour. Stirring well when adding sauce ensures every bite bursts with flavour. Garnishing with sesame seeds and spring onions further uplifts taste and appearance. This simple yet impressive dish will become a favourite to make again and again.
