Tangy Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe – Set It & Forget It

Cooking weeknight dinners can be a real challenge when time is tight, but this slow cooker sweet chili chicken delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

The tender chicken simmers gently in a mouthwatering sauce that balances sweet and spicy notes perfectly.

Each bite promises a delightful explosion of tangy and rich flavors that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

The slow cooker method ensures the chicken remains incredibly juicy and infused with deep, complex seasonings.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a meal that feels both comforting and exciting.

Minimal preparation means you can walk away and let the magic happen while the slow cooker does all the work.

Prepare to be amazed by how such an easy recipe can transform an ordinary evening into a memorable dining experience.

Why Slow Cooker Chili Chicken Is Sweet and Spicy Perfection

• Flavor Explosion: Combines sweet, tangy, and savory elements with chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, and fresh ginger for a mouthwatering taste profile that will delight taste buds.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for busy families, meal preppers, and anyone craving a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen, easily adaptable to different dietary preferences.
• Nutritious and Colorful: Packed with lean protein from chicken and vibrant bell peppers, this dish offers a balanced meal that looks as good as it tastes, making it appealing to both kids and adults.

Ingredients for Easy Sweet Chili Chicken

• Chicken Thighs or Chicken Breasts: Juicy meat that soaks up the delicious sauce perfectly.

• Sweet Chili Sauce, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar, Honey: Flavor-packed combo that creates a tangy and sweet coating.
• Minced Garlic, Grated Ginger: Aromatic additions that bring depth and warmth to the dish.

• Red Bell Pepper, Yellow Bell Pepper, Onion: Colorful vegetables that add crunch and sweetness.

• Cornstarch, Water: Simple mixture that helps create a silky sauce consistency.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Fresh and crunchy toppings that add final touch and visual appeal.

How to Make This Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Step 1: Prepare the Cooking Vessel

Place chicken pieces directly into the slow cooker basin, creating an even bottom layer.

Step 2: Craft the Flavor Blend

• Sweet chili sauce
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Honey
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Combine until the mixture becomes smooth and well integrated.

Step 3: Add Colorful Vegetable Layers

• Sliced red bell pepper
• Sliced yellow bell pepper
• Chopped onion

Distribute vegetables evenly to ensure balanced flavor distribution.

Step 4: Sauce and Seal

Pour the prepared flavor blend completely over chicken and vegetables, making sure every piece gets thoroughly coated.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

• Low setting: 6-7 hours
• High setting: 3-4 hours

Cook until chicken becomes fork-tender and fully cooked.

Step 6: Create Sauce Consistency

Thirty minutes before serving, create a thickening mixture by blending cornstarch with water.

Stir this slurry into the cooking liquid to enhance sauce texture.

Step 7: Plate and Garnish

Transfer chicken and vegetables over steamed rice.

• Chopped green onions
• Sprinkled sesame seeds

Serve immediately while warm and aromatic.

Tips for Bold, Saucy Chili Chicken

• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra juiciness and flavor, or use chicken breasts for a leaner option.
• Pat chicken dry before adding to the slow cooker to reduce excess moisture and help the sauce thicken naturally.
• Adjust the sweet chili sauce amount or add red pepper flakes to make the dish milder or spicier according to your taste preferences.
• Experiment with additional vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or snap peas to increase the dish's nutritional value and add more texture.
• Double the recipe and freeze portions for quick, delicious meals later – the flavors intensify when reheated, making it even more tasty.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat This Dish

• Store leftover sweet chili chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will keep fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring all excess air is removed to prevent freezer burn.
• Gently warm the chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.

Side Dishes That Go With Sweet Chili Chicken

• Create Citrus Cocktail Contrast: Mix a zesty lemongrass mojito with fresh mint to cut through the dish's richness, balancing the sweet and spicy flavors with bright, refreshing notes.
• Select Crisp White Wine: Choose a German Riesling with slight sweetness that complements the chili sauce, offering a smooth acidic backdrop that enhances the chicken's complex flavor profile.
• Match with Asian-Inspired Side Dish: Prepare a cucumber sesame salad with light rice vinegar dressing to provide a cool, crunchy texture that contrasts the tender chicken and adds a refreshing element to the meal.
• Recommend Craft Beer Pairing: Select a light Thai-style wheat beer or Japanese rice lager with subtle hoppy undertones that harmonize with the sweet chili sauce and cleanse the palate between bites.

Flavor Twists for Sweet Chili Chicken

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the dish gluten-free friendly, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy the meal safely.
• Spicy Lover's Version: Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to increase heat intensity, creating a fiery kick for those who crave more spiciness in their chicken dish.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap rice with cauliflower rice or serve over zucchini noodles, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining the delicious sweet chili flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, keeping the original sauce and cooking method for a meat-free protein option that retains the original recipe's essence.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but add an extra hour to the cooking time and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

• Is there a substitute for sweet chili sauce?

You can replace sweet chili sauce with a mix of ketchup, sriracha, and honey to achieve a similar sweet and spicy flavor profile.

• How can I make this recipe spicier?

Add red pepper flakes, extra sriracha, or diced jalapeños to the sauce for more heat and kick.

• Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead?

Absolutely! Use the slow cook function or pressure cook on high for 10-12 minutes with a quick release for similar results.

Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sweet chili chicken emerges as a mouthwatering delight that blends Asian-inspired flavors with effortless slow cooker convenience. Succulent chicken bathes in a tangy-sweet sauce, promising a delectable meal that brings comfort and excitement to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

Vegetables:

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) sweet chili sauce
• 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh ginger, grated

Thickening Agent:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) water

Serving Accompaniments:

• Cooked rice
• Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Arrange chicken pieces in the base of the slow cooker, creating an even single layer to promote uniform cooking.
2. Craft a vibrant sauce by whisking sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, freshly minced garlic, and grated ginger until the mixture reaches a silky, homogeneous consistency.
3. Distribute sliced red and yellow bell peppers along with onions atop the chicken, creating a colorful vegetable foundation.
4. Cascade the prepared sauce evenly across the chicken and vegetables, ensuring complete and thorough coating of all ingredients.
5. Secure the slow cooker lid and initiate cooking process, selecting low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes fork-tender and completely cooked through.
6. Approximately 30 minutes prior to serving, create a cornstarch slurry by blending cornstarch with water until smooth and lump-free.
7. Integrate the slurry into the cooking liquid, stirring gently to promote sauce thickening and glossy texture.
8. Continue cooking on high heat for an additional 30 minutes to allow sauce to reduce and develop deeper flavors.
9. Transfer the succulent sweet chili chicken over fluffy steamed rice, creating an inviting presentation.
10. Enhance the dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions and a delicate scattering of sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Swap chicken thighs or breasts with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that absorbs the delicious sweet chili sauce perfectly.
• Reduce honey or use a sugar alternative like stevia for a lower-sugar recipe suitable for diabetic or health-conscious diners.
• Enhance meal prep by cutting vegetables and mixing sauce the night before, saving precious morning cooking time.
• Freeze leftover chicken in portioned containers for quick future meals, maintaining sauce’s rich flavor profile for up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 90mg