Sweet Chili Chicken Stir Fry

Sweet Chili Chicken Stir Fry

A vibrant, weeknight-friendly stir fry featuring tender chicken and crisp vegetables tossed in a glossy, sticky sweet chili sauce. This well-tested home recipe strikes the perfect balance between sweet, savory, and mildly spicy — ready in under 30 minutes and guaranteed to become a regular on your dinner rotation.

4 servings · Prep 15 min · Cook 15 min · Total 30 min

Southeast Asian · Dinner · Soup

Main

  • 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil divided
  • 1 medium red bell pepper seeded and sliced into thin strips
  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper seeded and sliced into thin strips
  • 1 medium broccoli head cut into small florets
  • 1 medium carrot thinly sliced on the diagonal
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 3 stalks green onions sliced, white and green parts separated
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 stalks green onions thinly sliced

Chicken Coating

  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Sauce

  • 0.5 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce low-sodium preferred
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water

Serving

  • 4 cup cooked jasmine rice for serving

Equipment

  • Stovetop
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Skillet
  • Wok
  • Measuring Cups
  • Whisk
  • Plates
  • Rice Cooker
  • Tongs
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Cutting Board
  • Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
  • Garlic Press
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Chef's Knife

Instructions

  1. In a #[Mixing Bowl], toss the @[Chicken Breast] pieces with the @[Cornstarch], @[Salt], and @[Black Pepper] until every piece is evenly coated. This light @[Cornstarch] coating is the key to getting a slightly crisp exterior and helping the sauce cling beautifully. Set aside for ~[5 minutes] while you prep the rest.
  2. In a small #[Mixing Bowl] or #[Liquid Measuring Cup], whisk together the @[Sweet Chili Sauce], @[Soy Sauce], @[Rice Vinegar], @[Honey], @[Sesame Oil], @[Cornstarch], and @[Water] until smooth. Set the sauce aside — having it ready before you start cooking is essential for a fast stir fry.
  3. Heat a #[Wok] or #[Skillet] over ^[high heat] until very hot — about ~[1–2 minutes]. Add 1 tablespoon of @[Vegetable Oil] and swirl to coat. Add the @[Chicken Breast] in a single layer (work in two batches if needed to avoid crowding). Sear without stirring for ~[2 minutes], then stir fry for another ~[2–3 minutes] until golden and just cooked through. Transfer to a clean plate.
  4. Return the #[Wok] to ^[high heat] and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of @[Vegetable Oil]. Add the @[Carrot] and @[Broccoli] florets first — these take longer to cook. Stir fry for ~[2 minutes], keeping the vegetables moving constantly.
  5. Add the @[Red Bell Pepper] and @[Yellow Bell Pepper] strips and the white parts of the @[Green Onion]. Stir fry for another ~[2 minutes] until the peppers are just tender but still have a little crunch.
  6. Push the vegetables to the edges of the #[Wok], creating a clear space in the center. Add the minced @[Garlic] and grated @[Ginger] to the center and stir fry for ~[30 seconds] until fragrant, then toss everything together.
  7. Return the cooked @[Chicken Breast] to the #[Wok]. Give the sauce a quick stir (the @[Cornstarch] settles), then pour it over everything. Toss to coat thoroughly and stir fry for ~[1–2 minutes] until the sauce thickens to a glossy, sticky consistency and clings to the @[Chicken Breast] and vegetables.
  8. Remove from heat. Taste and adjust — add a splash more @[Soy Sauce] for saltiness, or a drizzle of @[Honey] for extra sweetness. Serve immediately over steamed @[Jasmine Rice], garnished with @[Sesame Seeds] and the reserved green parts of the @[Green Onion].