Here is my Sweet Chili Chicken recipe, a delightful and fried chicken dish drizzled with a homemade sweet chili sauce, served with fresh sliced bell peppers! Why make it? Because it’s a mouthwatering, homemade alternative that allows you to savor real, fresh ingredients in the comfort of your kitchen. Plus, you’ll save money while creating a delicious meal that’s sure to please your taste buds!
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Why I Love This Recipe
I absolutely love this Sweet Chili Chicken recipe because it’s a delightful take on Chinese cuisine, inspired by Panda Express, just like my Honey Walnut Shrimp and Black Pepper Chicken recipes! It revolves around tender fried chicken, coated in a homemade batter, and bathed in a simple yet incredibly flavorful sweet chili sauce. What’s remarkable is that it’s made with real ingredients, putting you in control, and free from additives!
It’s a filling and bold choice for lunch or dinner, offering a blend of sweet and spicy flavors, enveloping juicy chicken. This recipe is for anyone eager to recreate Panda Express-style Sweet Chili Chicken at home, using fresh, natural ingredients from scratch. Get ready to savor the bold flavors and enjoy a fantastic meal made with real, natural ingredients!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Chicken – boneless and skinless chicken breast.
- Flour – all purpose flour for baking.
- Parmesan Cheese – grated.
- Eggs – beaten well.
- Sparkling Water – club soda, soda water, carbonated water.
- Deep Frying Oil – use preferred frying oil.
- Bell Peppers – sliced, about 1/2 of a bell pepper.
- Green Onion – finely chopped green onion scallions.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds – optional garnish.
- Sweetener – use your preferred sweetener.
- Sriracha – Asian style chill sauce.
- Ketchup – regular ketchup.
- Garlic Powder – granulated or finely ground.
- Thickener – corn starch slurry or thickener of choice.
🍗 Chicken Note
You can substitute with Chicken Thigh if that’s your preference.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
- Hand Mixer
- Wok or Deep Large Skillet
Directions
Step 1 Prepare the chili sauce by combining water, sweetener, sriracha, ketchup, garlic powder, and your choice of thickener in a saucepan. Simmer and cook until the sauce thickens.
🥄 Corn Starch Slurry Pro Tip
If using Corn Starch Slurry as a thickener, prepare a mixture of 1 Tablespoon of Corn Starch and 2 Tablespoons of Water in a mixing bowl. Gradually add this mixture to your sauce until it reaches the desired thickness.
Step 2 Next, prepare the batter by using a hand mixer to mix flour, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs, and sparkling water. Place the cubed chicken in the batter to coat it evenly.
🌀 Whisking Pro Tip
For optimal results, it is recommended to use a Hand Mixer when preparing the batter. Although whisking by hand is possible, utilizing a hand mixer will create an airy and fluffier coating.
Step 3 In a deep skillet or pot, heat cooking oil up to temperature. Add the coated chicken and deep-fry for 1-2 minutes per side until it turns golden brown. Once done frying, transfer the chicken to a drying rack.
🍳 Deep Frying Pro Tip
For the best frying results, it’s advisable to use a Deep Saucepan or Pot to prevent splattering on the stovetop. Ensure that the oil reaches a temperature of 375°F Before Frying, and Avoid Overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding can cause the oil temperature to drop, preventing the chicken from achieving the desired crispiness.
Step 4 In a large deep skillet or wok coated with cooking oil, stir-fry the sliced bell peppers on high heat until they become tender.
Step 5 Add the fried chicken to the skillet and pour in the sweet chili sauce. Toss everything together until it’s well combined and transfer to a serving plate.
🍛 Garnishing Pro Tip
Garnish your dish with Toasted Sesame Seeds and finely Chopped Green Onions. These toppings not only enhance the visual appeal but also add a delightful flavor and texture.
Pairing Recommendations
Start with a classic Chinese style Egg Drop Soup. For a satisfying side, pair it with Vegetable Fried Rice or your preferred rice dish. To add some greens, serve it with Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry or Garlic Kale Stir Fry for a complete meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare the batter in advance and fry the chicken later?
The batter for this recipe is best used right after making it. If you leave it sitting too long, the flour will absorb the liquid and start to become very thick.
Are there any gluten-free alternatives for the batter?
Yes, you can use almond flour as an alternative to make a gluten-free batter.
How do I prevent the chicken from becoming soggy after adding the sweet chili sauce?
While the chicken won't get soggy, it's not supposed to be as crispy as fried chicken. That's the way this dish is designed to be prepared.
Storage Tips
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will remain fresh for 3-5 days. When reheating, use a microwave.
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Watch How To Make It
Sweet Chili Chicken
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lbs Chicken Breast boneless and skinless
- 1/2 Cup Flour
- 2 tbsp Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 Whole Eggs
- 1/3 Cup Sparkling Water
- 2-3 Cups Cooking Oil
Stir Fry
- 1 tbsp Cooking Oil neutral, no flavor or taste
- 1/3 Cup Bell Peppers about 1/2 of a bell pepper
- 1 Stalk Green Onions
- 1/2 tsp Toasted Sesame Seeds optional
Sauce
- 1/4 Cup Water
- 2 tbsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
- 2 tsp Sriracha
- 1 tbsp Ketchup
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/8 tsp Xanthan Gum or thickener of choice
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Chop chicken breast into bite size cubes as shown below and set aside.
- Chop green onions, slice bell peppers as shown below and set aside.
- In a stove top pot, make the sauce by adding in water, sweetener, sriracha, ketchup and garlic powder. Bring to a soft boil, mix in xanthan gum and then remove from heat. Continue to mix until xanthan gum is completely dissolved and set aside.
- Prepare batter by combining flour, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs and sparkling water. Use a hand/stand mixer to mix (you can hand whisk, but the batter won't be as airy).
- Transfer the bite size chicken into the batter mix a piece at a time, mix well ensuring an even coat, and transfer to a holding plate.
- Pour enough cooking oil to cover the chicken into cookware of choice and heat oil up to 375F. Note - it's very important for the oil to be up to temp, otherwise, the batter will come off.
- Once up to heat, reduce heat to medium, carefully add coated chicken and cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Once done, transfer the chicken to a drying rack. Note - do not overcrowd when deep frying, otherwise the oil temperature will drop outside of ideal deep frying range.
- In a large frying pan or Wok, add neutral cooking oil and bring up to temp on high heat. Once up to temp, add in sliced bell peppers and cook for 1-2 minutes or until desired tenderness is reached.
- Next add in fried chicken, chopped green onions and pour sauce from step 4). Mix well until coated and transfer to a serving plate. Top with toasted sesame seeds.
