Description
Asian Sweet Chili Lime Chicken is a juicy and tender chicken dish coated in a delicious sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy glaze. Made with sweet chili sauce, fresh lime, garlic, and soy sauce, this easy chicken recipe is packed with bright Asian-inspired flavors and comes together quickly for a perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
Sauce and Marinade
- 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lime zest
Cooking
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Fresh lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, black pepper, and lime zest until well combined.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken in a bowl and pour half of the prepared sauce over it. Toss well to coat all the pieces evenly. Cover and let the chicken marinate for 20 to 30 minutes to absorb all the flavors.
- Heat the skillet: Add vegetable oil to a large skillet and heat it over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Cook the chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off, and place it in the hot skillet. Cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes on each side depending on thickness, until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Add remaining sauce: Pour the reserved sauce into the skillet during the final 2 to 3 minutes of cooking. Simmer it alongside the chicken, allowing the sauce to thicken and become sticky, turning the chicken pieces to coat them evenly.
- Check doneness: Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Garnish and serve: Transfer the chicken to serving plates. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with fresh lime wedges alongside steamed rice or your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness, but chicken breasts also work well.
- For extra heat, add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce mixture.
- Do not use leftover raw chicken marinade as a sauce unless it has been thoroughly cooked.
- To cook on the grill, grill chicken over medium-high heat and brush with sauce in the final minutes.
- Leftovers can be sliced over rice or added to Asian-inspired salads for another meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
