Description
Enjoy crispy Sweet Chili Chicken with tender, seasoned chicken pieces tossed in a flavorful sweet chili sauce. Ideal for a quick dinner or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with a splash of vinegar)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onions (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces (1 to 1.5 inches).
- Make the Seasoned Flour: In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Prepare Buttermilk: Pour buttermilk into another bowl. If using regular milk, add a tablespoon of vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece in buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off, then coat in the seasoned flour mixture. Ensure each piece is well-coated.
- Rest the Chicken: Place the coated chicken on a plate and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot (test with a small piece of flour mixture).
- Fry the Chicken: Add chicken pieces in batches, frying for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/75°C).
- Drain Excess Oil: Transfer cooked chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir well.
- Simmer the Sauce: Heat the mixture over medium heat, simmering for 3-5 minutes while stirring occasionally.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding red pepper flakes for spice if desired.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: In a large bowl, toss the fried chicken pieces with the sweet chili sauce until well-coated.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving platter or serve directly from the mixing bowl.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Serve over steamed rice, alongside a fresh salad, or in a wrap with crunchy lettuce.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or stovetop to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes