Sweet Chili Sauce Chicken

Sweet Chili Sauce Chicken is a savory creamy sauce that combines tender chicken tights, cream cheese, bold spices, and sweet chili sauce to create a chicken dish with the perfect texture. Each bite will have you loving this chicken and green beans meal.

Chicken is one of my favorite proteins for dinner recipes. It's affordable, versatile, and healthy. Whether you are pan-frying a piece of chicken, or simply having it simmer in sauce, there are so many fun ways to make this popular protein work for your family. 

I love all kinds of chicken recipes, but zesty, Garlic Chilli Chicken Tenders are some of my favorites. That's why this sweet chili sauce chicken makes so many appearances on my dinner table. Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings are also a perfect option to pair with this sauce!

Gluten-Free Lemon Drizzle Cake and Chocolate Banana Cake and Chocolate Frosting are two savory desserts that bring a touch of sweetness to finish the meal.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Simple Ingredients: All the ingredients are either already in your pantry or super easy to find at the store.
• Quick Cook Time: 30 minutes from start to plate. I love this when the kids are extra hungry.
• Easy to Adjust: This dish is easy to customize. You can change the spice level, the dairy and even what veggies you use. Easy for any family with specific allergies or picky eaters.

Ingredients

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

• Chicken Thighs: I'm using Springer Mountain Farms Chicken Thighs. They're super high quality, and they never use antibiotics or hormones or add animal by-products to their feed.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, sweet paprika, oregano and salt to taste. Simple yet full of flavor. Sesame seeds are a perfect garnish on top as well.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil helps the chicken sear to perfection. I prefer CostabileBrand Olive Oil for its quality and purity. Use Code: 15GoldenGK for 15% off!
• Sweet Peppers: I love the crunch these provide to the dish. They also help cut the heat for anyone who likes this recipe more mild.

Flavor Variations

• Different Protein: I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs but you can use shrimp, steak or chicken breasts! Just adjust the cooking time depending on which protein you are using.
• Add Spice: Add some extra flavor by adding things like fresh ginger or a little heat with sriracha or red pepper flakes.
• Go Dairy-Free: Skip the cream cheese and use double the amount of cornstarch slurry for a dairy-free version of this recipe.
• Add Veggies: Up your nutrients by adding vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, or asparagus to this easy sweet chili chicken.
• Serve with a Carb: I used potatoes in my recipe but noodles are a perfect option for this homemade sweet chili sauce.

If you love the bold but not too spicy flavor of sweet chili in recipes, then you'll enjoy these Easy Air Fryer Sweet Chili Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers.

How to Make Sweet Chili Sauce Chicken

Step 1. Wash the chicken and pat it dry. Then, slice it into small cubes roughly the same size.

Step 2. In a medium bowl, mix the chicken with the paprika, salt, garlic powder, and oregano until evenly coated.

Step 3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Then, add the chicken and cook for 2 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes.

Step 4. Add the diced sweet peppers and cook for 3 minutes until they begin to soften.Stir as they cook.

Step 5. Add the tomato paste and sweet chili sauce and cook for 2 minutes. Then, add the water, beef stock, and cream cheese.

Step 6. Reduce the heat to medium-low, stir continuously to loosen the cream cheese, and cook until thickened.

Step 7. For a thicker sauce, make a slurry of 3 tablespoons of water and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and add it to the chicken. Cook until thickened. Then plate and enjoy!

Expert Tips

• If you are gluten free, be sure you buy sweet chili sauce specifically labeled gluten free. Sesame seeds are a great gluten free option too.
• Keep the heat at medium when cooking the chicken so the outside cooks and the spices toast without burning.
• You only need to cook the chicken for about 2 minutes per side. The rest of the cooking process will cook it to perfection.
• If you choose to add hot peppers of any kind to this dish, wash your hands thoroughly after handling them, and NEVER touch your face.
• Cook your chicken for about 2 minutes per side. It will continue to cook as you add other ingredients and be perfectly done by the time the dish is complete.

Sweet Chili Sauce Chicken FAQ's

4 Perfect Sides to Pair

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📖 Recipe

Sweet Chili Sauce Chicken

1x2x3x

This sweet chili sauce chicken is loaded with tender chicken thighs, sweet peppers, and a sweet, not too spicy chili sauce.

5 from 17 votes

Nicole Kendrick

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Video

1x2x3x

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 508 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  knife
• ▢
  cutting board
• ▢
  Measuring cups
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  Measuring spoons
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  Mixing Bowls
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  Large skillet

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 pound Springer Mountain Farms chicken thighs boneless, skinless
• ▢ 1 ½ tablespoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1 ½ tablespoon sweet paprika
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¾ tablespoon oregano
• ▢ 1 tablespoon garlic olive oil
• ▢ 2 tablespoon tomato paste
• ▢ 5 tablespoon gluten free sweet chili sauce
• ▢ 4 mini sweet red peppers diced small
• ▢ ¾ cup beef broth
• ▢ ¾ cup water
• ▢ 5 oz cream cheese

Optional for Thickening the Sauce

• ▢ 3 tablespoon cold water
• ▢ 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

 

• Wash the chicken and pat it dry. Then, slice it into small cubes roughly the same size.
• Mix the chicken with the paprika, salt, garlic powder, and oregano in a medium bowl until evenly coated.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Then, add the chicken and cook for 2 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Add the diced sweet peppers and cook for 3 minutes until they begin to soften.
• Add the tomato paste and sweet chili sauce and cook for 2 minutes. Then, add the water, beef, stock, and cream cheese.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low, stirring continuously to loosen the cream cheese, and cook until thickened.
• For a thicker sauce, make a slurry of 3 tablespoons of water and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, add it to the chicken, and cook until thickened.

Notes

Storage

• Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container. 
• Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. 
• To reheat, add the chicken to a saucepan and cook on medium-low until heated through. 

Tips

• When rinsing chicken, hold it as close to the bottom of the sink as possible and use a gentle stream of water to avoid splashing. 
• Wash the sink and counters immediately after rinsing the chicken. 
• Cook your chicken for the time specified in the recipe. It finishes cooking as the rest of dish cooks. 

Nutrition

Calories: 508kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 24gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 943mgPotassium: 743mgFiber: 5gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 5721IUVitamin C: 154mgCalcium: 82mgIron: 3mg

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