Description
Sweet Chili Chicken Stir-Fry is a flavorful and quick-to-make dish combining tender sliced chicken breast, crisp colorful vegetables, and a vibrant homemade sweet chili sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors with fresh veggies and a nutty sesame aroma, making it a fuss-free meal ideal for busy weeknights or any day you crave a delicious and healthy stir-fry.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
Vegetables
- 1 cup bell peppers (red or yellow), chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup snow peas or snap peas, washed and trimmed
- 2 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, freshly minced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Sauce
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1–2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar (adjust to taste)
Other
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the chicken breast into thin strips, chop the bell peppers into bite-sized pieces, mince the garlic and ginger, and wash and trim the snow peas or snap peas. Have all ingredients ready before cooking.
- Make the Sweet Chili Sauce: In a small bowl, combine sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey or brown sugar. Stir well to blend all flavors evenly, creating a balanced sweet and tangy sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a drizzle of sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and stir-fry until golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside to keep warm.
- Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Using the same pan, add the garlic and ginger, stirring quickly to release their aroma. Then add bell peppers and peas, cooking until just tender-crisp to preserve their freshness and color.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked chicken to the pan and pour the sweet chili sauce over all ingredients. Stir thoroughly to coat, then let simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Turn off the heat and sprinkle sliced green onions on top for freshness. Serve immediately with your choice of sides like jasmine rice, brown rice, or noodles.
Notes
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to keep cooking fast and smooth.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook chicken in batches if necessary to ensure browning.
- Use fresh, crisp vegetables for the best texture contrast.
- Adjust sauce thickness by simmering longer to thicken or adding water/broth to thin as needed.
- Taste and adjust sugar or vinegar in the sauce to balance sweet and heat levels.
- Swap chicken breast with thighs, tofu, shrimp, or pork based on preference.
- For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Make the sauce ahead and store in the fridge for up to a week to save time.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat gently adding a splash of water if sauce thickens too much to maintain texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg