These Sweet Chili Glazed Chicken Bites are a favorite in my house. They’re great for a fast dinner, a fun snack for parties, or even to add to your lunch for the week.
What’s awesome about this dish is how the sweet chili sauce goes perfectly with the chicken. And the glaze? It turns into this sticky, yummy coating.
Let’s get started!
Recipe Overview
This recipe is all about crispy, small pieces of chicken covered in a tasty sweet chili glaze. It’s easy to make but has a lot of flavor and a great texture.
Imagine soft chicken inside, a little crispy on the outside, and all covered in a sweet and a bit spicy sauce. It’s so good, it disappears quickly, so you might want to make extra!
These chicken bites can be used in many ways. You can eat them with rice or noodles for a full meal.
They’re also a great snack – put toothpicks in them, and they’ll be gone fast.
Or, put them in a salad for a lunch with lots of protein.
Ingredients for Sweet Chili Glazed Chicken Bites
- 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup of cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup of sweet chili sauce (usually found in the Asian foods part of the store)
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar (if you don’t have it, apple cider vinegar is okay, but rice vinegar tastes more real)
- 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of ginger powder
- Green onions, cut thin (for topping, if you want)
- Sesame seeds (for topping, if you want)
A quick tip: dry the chicken with paper towels before cutting. It makes it easier to cut.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Get the Chicken Ready: Cut the chicken breasts into about 1-inch pieces. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but try to make them similar in size so they cook the same.
- Cover the Chicken: In a bowl, mix the cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Put the chicken pieces in the bowl and mix until they’re all covered. This helps make the outside crispy.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a big pan over medium-high heat. The oil is ready when it looks shiny. Carefully put the chicken in the pan in one layer (you might need to do this in a few batches so the pan isn’t too full).
- Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side, until it’s brown and cooked all the way. The inside should be 165°F (74°C). You want it to be nicely browned on all sides.
- Make the Glaze: While the chicken cooks, mix the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic powder, and ginger powder in a small bowl.
- Add Glaze to the Chicken: When the chicken is done, turn the heat to low. Pour the sweet chili glaze over the chicken. Stir it all together until the chicken is covered and the sauce gets a bit thicker, about 1-2 minutes. The sauce will stick to the chicken.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Take the pan off the heat. Add sliced green onions and sesame seeds if you like. Serve it right away.
Variations & Tips
- Make it Spicy: If you want it hotter, add a little bit of red pepper flakes to the glaze.
- Make it Early: You can make the chicken and glaze separately and keep them in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, heat the chicken and mix it with the warm glaze.
- Leftovers: Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Heat it up in a pan over medium heat, or in the microwave. A little water in the pan can stop the glaze from sticking too much.
- Serving Ideas: These are good by themselves, or with rice, noodles, or a salad.
Key Details for Sweet Chili Glazed Chicken Bites
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
- What you’ll need: Big skillet, medium bowl, small bowl, whisk
FAQ
How do I make the chicken super crispy?
Make sure the chicken is really covered in the cornstarch mix. Also, don’t put too much chicken in the pan at once – cook it in batches if you need to. This helps it get brown instead of steamy.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and are usually more juicy and flavorful. Just cook them a bit longer if needed, until the inside is 165°F (74°C).
What if I don’t have everything for the glaze?
You can change some things. If you don’t have rice vinegar, try apple cider vinegar. Or just go with sweet chili sauce alone. It is fine to try different things!
Can I bake the chicken?
Yes, you can! Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Put the chicken on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning them over halfway, until they’re cooked and brown. Then, mix them with the glaze in a pan.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It’s not gluten-free because of the soy sauce. But, you can use tamari instead of soy sauce to make it gluten-free. Tamari is a gluten-free option that tastes similar.
How do I know the chicken is cooked?
The best way is to use a meat thermometer. The inside should be 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut a piece open – the juice should be clear, and the meat shouldn’t be pink.
Sweet Chili Glazed Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
- Green onions thinly sliced (for topping, optional)
- Sesame seeds for topping, optional
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces.
- In a bowl, mix cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through to 165°F (74°C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic powder, and ginger powder.
- Reduce heat to low and pour the glaze over the cooked chicken. Stir until chicken is coated and sauce thickens slightly, about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately.