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Crispy Sweet Chilli Chicken

Crispy Sweet Chilli Chicken

Deliciously crispy chicken coated in sweet chilli sauce, perfect for a quick meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

  • frying pan
  • large bowl
  • medium bowl
  • Air fryer

Ingredients
  

CHICKEN

  • 600 g boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon sea salt flakes
  • 0.5 teaspoon cracked black pepper

SWEET CHILLI SAUCE

  • 1 teaspoon freshly minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon freshly minced ginger
  • 0.5 cup sweet chilli sauce 125 ml
  • 0.25 cup tamari or all-purpose soy sauce 60 ml
  • 0.25 cup rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar 60 ml

TO SERVE

  • Steamed rice
  • 1 spring onion (scallion) finely sliced
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions
 

  • Place the chicken in a large bowl with the sweet paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, egg and cornflour. Mix the chicken well until the other ingredients form a paste around it. Set aside.
  • To make the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • Heat the oil over medium–high heat in a large, deep, heavy-based frying pan. Cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes or until it is cooked through and golden all over, turning once halfway through. Set aside on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
  • Drain the oil from the frying pan and wipe the pan clean.
  • Heat the pan over medium–low heat and add the sauce. Stir for 2–3 minutes until the sauce begins to bubble gently and thicken. Turn the heat off and return the chicken to the pan, stirring so that it is evenly coated in the sauce.
  • Serve the chicken immediately, heaped on top of steamed rice. Top with finely sliced spring onion and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
  • Optional: Add 1–2 tablespoons of boiling water (from the kettle) to the bottom of the pan once the chicken has been removed. Use a spoon to stir the water into the remaining sauce and use this extra sauce to pour over the completed dish.
  • For air fryer: Coat the chicken in the egg, spices and seasoning as per the recipe – but don’t add the cornflour yet.
  • Once coated, dip each piece individually into the cornflour so it’s well covered. This step gives that signature crispy coating.
  • Spray the base of your air fryer basket with oil. Place the chicken in a single layer in the basket and spray generously with oil so the surface is completely covered.

Notes

The recipe uses a high smoke-point oil like vegetable or canola oil for a light, crispy coating. Olive oil produces a denser coating, which isn't as even in color.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 10mg
Keyword Chicken, chinese cuisine, Crispy Sweet Chilli Chicken, Dinner, easy recipe, sweet chilli
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