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Discover the ultimate weeknight dinner solution with this Sweet Chili Chicken. Juicy chicken slow cooked to tender perfection in a tantalizing sweet Thai chili sauce with sweet bell peppers and crisp carrots. Perfectly simply, yet undeniably delicious, this easy-to-follow recipe transforms your crockpot into a flavor-packed paradise.
“I made this recipe for the first time today. It is fantastic! Spicy, sweet, crunchy vegetables. I added Lo Mein noodles at the time of serving. Directions are easy and straightforward. No hard to find ingredients. Will be making this on a regular basis. Thank you for the delicious meal.”
– CONNIE
Update: This recipe was originally published in April 2019. I made updates to the post below to include more information about making Thai chili chicken at home.
Hey there, friends! Today we are cooking with one of my absolute favorite sauces – sweet chili sauce. Sticky, sweet, subtly spicy and loaded with flavor, it pairs fabulously with everything from chicken and shrimp to spring rolls and dumplings.
If you aren’t familiar with this Thai condiment, you are in for a delicious treat! I always have a jar of this sauce on hand in my pantry or refrigerator, and after trying todays easy dish, you will too.
Table of Contents
- About this sweet chili chicken recipe
- What is sweet chili chicken?
- Ingredients for chicken with sweet chili sauce
- how to make sweet and chili chicken
- Expert tips for the best success!
- FAQs: frequently asked questions
- Serving sweet thai chili chicken
- storing leftovers
- More slow cooker chicken recipes
- Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe
About this sweet chili chicken recipe
Tender, juicy shredded chicken, sweet red bell peppers, fragrant onions, tropical pineapple and crisp carrots tossed in a sticky, barely spicy, umami packed sweet chili sauce. Served over soft lo mein noodles or fluffy rice, this Asian chicken is saucy, flavorful and totally addicting! I kid you not, the Asian chili sauce is so good I could drink it from a glass!
But, the best part of all? This flavor-packed chicken is ridiculously easy to make and basically fail safe! You just throw the chicken and sauce ingredients into the slow cooker, cover it, then set it and forget it! When you are ready to eat, toss in the vegetables and dinner is served! Mouth-watering, sweet and sticky chicken that tastes out of this world is yours for the devouring!
If you love Thai food, be sure to try these fan-favorites dinner recipes next: Thai Chicken Noodle Soup, Thai Curry Salmon with Coconut Milk, Thai Chicken with Peanut Sauce, and Thai Chicken Meatballs.
Ingredients for chicken with sweet chili sauce
Simple ingredients combine to create a chicken dinner that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors with beautiful crunch from the veggies and tenderness from the chicken. Here’s what to grab:
- Chicken: I recommend using skinless, boneless chicken for the most tender, flavorsome results. However, you can swap in boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer. Just note you may need to reduce the cook time in the recipe card.
- Thai Sweet Chili Sauce: This sweet and spicy sauce is made with ingredients like sugar, garlic, chili peppers, vinegar, and sometimes fish sauce or soy sauce for complexity. You can find sweet chili sauce in the international aisle of most grocery stores.
- Soy Sauce: Be sure to use reduced-sodium soy sauce so you can control the salt content.
- Garlic: Be sure to use fresh garlic cloves and mince them yourself for the best flavor. That pre-minced stuff in a jar is very lackluster in flavor.
- Ginger: Again, fresh is definitely best. Be sure to choose ginger root that’s firm to the touch with smooth skin.
- Scallions: Green onions lend a mild onion flavor to this chili chicken dish.
- Onions: Sweet white onions, such as vidalia or maui, lend a mild, sweet flavor. Look for onions that feel heavy for their size.
- Bell Pepper: Red bell peppers lend a beautiful natural sweetness and crisp texture. However, you can swap in orange or yellow bell peppers if you prefer.
- Carrots: Fresh, crisp carrots lend a sweet, earthy flavor that pairs perfectly here.
Recipe variations
- Sensational Sesame: For a nutty aroma and flavor, add a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil to the chili sauce in the slow cooker. And be sure to garnish the dish with plenty of sesame seeds.
- Spicy Sweet Chili Chicken: Add one teaspoon to two tablespoons of sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the crockpot along with the sweet chili sauce for a spicy kick.
- Mango Chili Chicken: Swap out the pineapple chunks for diced mango instead. Or simply garnish the dish with jalapeno mango salsa.
- Veggie Forward: You can easily bulk up this chicken dinner by adding more veggies right to the slow cooker. Broccoli, snap peas, mushrooms, baby corn, and zucchini all make great additions.
- Slurp-Tastic: Serve the Thai chili chicken over soft, chewy lo mein noodles for a simply satisfying dinner.
- Rice Magic: If you prefer grains to noodles, serve your sweet chili chicken over your favorite rice recipe, like coconut rice for a tropical vibe or broccoli rice if you prefer a healthier meal.
Expert tips for the best success!
- Choose the Right Chicken for You. Opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you are looking for the most juicy, tender results. However, opt for chicken breasts if you’re looking for a leaner dinner option. Or, use a combination of the two if you can’t make up your mind.
- Know Your Slow Cooker. The cooking time in the recipe below is approximate. Make sure you know your slow cooker and don’t overcook the chicken. If you are using a small slow cooker or crockpot and you packed it full, the element will take longer to heat up and cook the chicken through.
- Adjust to Suit YOUR Taste. Always, always, always taste the dish and adjust it to suit your specific tastebuds before serving. If you prefer things fiery-hot, consider adding sriracha. If you love a nutty undertone, garnish with sesame seeds or add a splash of toasted sesame oil. Does the chicken just taste like it’s missing something? Add kosher salt.
- Garnish Thoughtfully. I’ll always advocate for garnishing a dish before serving. Garnishes are the ideal way to really customize a dish and make it your own. Plus, you do eat with your eyes first, so there’s that detail too. Consider garnishing the thai sauce chicken with fresh chopped cilantro, thinly sliced scallions, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice for freshness and brightness. And add toasted sesame seeds for hint of nutty flavor, and/or crushed red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.
- Complementary Sides: This saucy chicken tastes best when it is served with something for sopping up the thai chili sauce. I recommend either noodles or rice, but by all means, please use what you love.
FAQs: frequently asked questions
What is sweet chili sauce for chicken?
Sweet chili sauce, also known as nam chim kai, is a Thai sauce condiment that can be used as a dip for appetizers and pairs deliciously with chicken, shrimp and tofu. Made with chile peppers, rice wine vinegar and varying sweeteners (honey, fruit or sugar), chili sauce is sweet and sour in taste and very mildly spicy.
Thai sweet chili sauce can be found in the ethnic food aisle of most grocery stores.
What cut of chicken is best for this recipe?
Honestly, the answer would be it depends. However, if you’re looking for the most juicy, tender chicken, I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this Thai chili chicken recipe. However, you can absolutely use boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer lean, white meat. Just note, you will need to reduce the cook time in the recipe.
How do I cook Thai chili sauce chicken?
Recipes for Thai sweet chili chicken can utilize various cooking methods, such as baking, grilling, and stir-frying. However, this recipe keeps things fuss-free and hands-free by using the slow cooker or crock pot.
Can I adjust the spiciness of Thai chili chicken?
Absolutely. However, it is important to note that while sweet chili sauce is made with pepper, it is not spicy in flavor. This thick, pour-able sauce is sweet and mildly tangy in flavor.
If you are looking for a fiery-hot chili chicken, I recommend adding spicy ingredients, such as red pepper flakes or minced fresh chile peppers to this recipe. Conversely, if you’re looking for a sweet dish, consider adding more naturally sweet ingredients, such as bell peppers and carrots.
This Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken will instantly become a family favorite! With fall apart tender chicken and crisp vegetables coated in a sticky, sweet sauce so good you will want to lick your fingers clean!
Until next week, friends, cheers – to making your own take out!
Cheyanne
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More slow cooker chicken recipes
Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs – trimmed of excess fat
- To Taste Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Cup Sweet Chili Sauce
- 3 TBS Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
- 3 cloves Garlic – minced
- 2 tsp Fresh Ginger – grated
- 1 small Sweet Onion – thinly sliced
- 1 large Red Bell Peppers – thinly sliced
- 1 ½ Cups Diced Pineapple
- 1 Cup Shredded Carrots
- 1 Pound Dried Lo Mein Noodles
Optional for Garnish: Sliced Green Onions & Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- Season The Chicken: Lay the chicken thighs on a clean work surface and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Then transfer chicken to the crockpot or slow cooker insert, arranging the chicken in an even single layer.
- Make the Sweet Chili Sauce: To a 2-cup glass measure or medium bowl, add the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Use a whisk and stir the ingredients together until fully combined. Then, pour the Thai chili sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cover and Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook the chicken on LOW for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is tender enough to shred apart using two forks.(Note: While you can cook the chicken thighs on high for 3-4 hours in a pinch, you'll want to use the low heat setting for the best results.)
- Shred The Chicken: Use a pair of tongs to remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer it to a clean work surface. Use to forks to pull apart the chicken into long shreds. Once all the chicken is "pulled", add it back to the slow cooker – along with any juices that have accumulated on the work surface.
- Add Onion, Pepper, Pineapple, Carrots: To the slow cooker, add the diced onion, bell peppers, pineapple, and carrots. Then use a kitchen spoon and give everything a good stir to combine.
- Cover and Cook Again: Re-cover the crockpot and cook the contents on HIGH for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Once the chicken and veggies are done, taste the dish and adjust the flavors to suit your tastebuds. OPTIONAL. Meanwhile, Cook Lo Mein: If you're serving the sweet chili chicken over noodles, go ahead and boil and drain lo mein noodles according to package directions.
- Serve Thai Chili Chicken: Serve the sweet chili chicken over asian noodles or rice. Garnish the top with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Chicken: While the recipe below calls for chicken thighs, you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts if desired. Chicken thighs have more flavor and moisture, however chicken breasts are leaner. You can use either all chicken thighs, chicken breasts or a combination of both! If using chicken breasts, please note you may need to reduce the cook time.
- The cooking time in the recipe is approximate. Make sure you know your slow cooker and don’t overcook the chicken. If you are using a small slow cooker or crockpot and it’s packed full, it will take longer to heat up and cook through.
- Serving Options: While I served my slow cooker chicken with lo mein noodles, you can serve this Asian chicken over rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or any Asian noodles you love.
- Leftovers: Slow Cooked Sweet Chili Chicken will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or it can be frozen in a freezer-safe, zip-closure bag for up to 3 months.
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Need to Scale the Recipe? Hover your mouse over the number of servings in the recipe card. You’ll see a sliding scale pop up, you can use that to scale the recipe up or down as needed.
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Got questions? I’ve got answers! If you ever run into an issue, have a question, or need any clarification – please feel free to drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can!
Nutrition
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Erica
This sounds amazing!! I cannot wait to make it this week! Thank you for the macros! Do you by chance know the serving size?
Cheyanne Holzworth
Hi Erica,
Excellent question! I’m so sorry, but unfortunately I don’t have the precise serving size for this recipe. However, the recipe nutrition label is for 6 servings, so if you measure the total amount of the sweet chili chicken and divide by 6, you’ll know exactly how much one serving is… it should be for around 5.3 ounces of chicken per serving.
Again, I’m so sorry I can’t provide the precise serving amount. But, please do let me know if you have any additional questions as I’m always happy to help when I can. 🙂
Cheers and warmest wishes for a lovely week,
Cheyanne
Patricia Bertrand
Hi. I’d like to make a double receipe, but not sure what size crock pot I should us.. Could this be cooked in an oven ? If so, how should I go about it.
Cheyanne Holzworth
Hi Patricia,
Wonderful question! My crock pot has a 7 quart capacity. However, I’ve never attempted to double this recipe, so I’m unsure if a 10 quart would be large enough.
As far as converting this slow cooker recipe to an oven recipe, I’ve only ever tested this in a slow cooker. So I can’t attest to whether converting the recipe would work. However, IF I was to attempt it, here’s what I would do:
Preheat the oven to 325-degrees Fahrenheit.
Prepare step 1 and 2 of the recipe.
Instead of adding everything to a slow cooker, add it to a very large oven proof dish. Cover the food with aluminum foil or a lid if your dish has one.
Place the chicken into the preheated oven and bake for 1 1/2 hours.
Test the chicken for doneness. If it’s not shreddable, continue to cook in 15-minute increments.
Follow step 5 of the recipe card.
Re-cover the baking dish and bake for 7 to 10 minutes.
Serve.
Again, I’ve never tried converting the recipe, so I’m unsure of the success. But, if you try it, I’d love to hear how it turns out!
Cheers and warmest wishes for a wonderful day,
Cheyanne
Patricia Bertrand
Good morning. Thanks for responding so quickly, since my dinner is this Sat. I will re-think this and will let You know.
Cheyanne Holzworth
I’m sorry I couldn’t provide a more definitive answer, Patricia. Regardless of if you make my recipe or another, I hope you have a wonderful dinner party! 🙂
Best,
Cheyanne
Kate Crocker
We really enjoyed this so much. Quick and easy with the Crockpot. Served it with rice.
Cheyanne
Hi Kate,
I’m honored you decided to try this sweet chili chicken recipe for the crockpot and absolutely thrilled you enjoyed it so much! Thank you for coming back and leaving a review – and such a kind one at that. 🙂
Cheers and warmest wishes for a wonderful New Year,
Cheyanne
MICHELLE R LANGHAM
Recipe sounds delish…did you use fresh pineapple?
Cheyanne
Hi Michelle,
I typically use fresh pineapple if it looks good at the store. However, canned and diced pineapple works great too!
Please let me know if you have any additional questions as I’m always happy to help where I can.
Cheers and warmest wishes for a wonderful New Year,
Cheyanne
Lani
I just made this for dinner. It was great! I made mine with boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded down. I shredded it right in the crackpot! Super easy
Cheyanne
Hi Lani,
I’m honored you decided to try this sweet chili chicken in the crockpot and absolutely thrilled you enjoyed it! (And found it easy to prepare too!) Thank you so much for coming back and leaving a review. 🙂
Cheers and warmest wishes for a wonderful week,
Cheyanne
Connie
I made this recipe for the first ti e today. It is fantastic! Spicy, sweet, crunchy vegetables. I added Lo Mein noodles at the time of serving. Directions are easy and straightforward. No hard to find ingredients. Will be making this on a regular basis. Thank you for the delicious meal.
Tammy
This was a fantastic meal. Husband and I both loved it. Will definitely make it again.
Cheyanne
Hi Tammy,
I’m so thrilled both you and your husband enjoyed this chicken recipe!! Thank you so much for coming back and leaving a review. Cheers and warm wishes for a wonderful weekend. 🙂
Mer
We love the play of spicy and sweet in our house. This chicken is totally drool worthy, Cheyanne. I love that it’s made in the slow cooker! Very good!!
Patricia Bertrand
Hi Cheyenne. I made a double batch. I used my daughter’s 6 quart crock pot. It cooked hot. It was done in 4 hours.. so I shredded the chicken. Put it in frig for a couple hours. Then I put the remaining veggies in crock pot with the juices. Added everything together when it was time to eat. It was perfect!! Everyone had seconds! Thanks for this recipe. I will try more of your recipes.
Cheyanne Holzworth
Hi Patricia,
I’m absolutely thrilled you made the recipe work! Thank you so much for coming back and sharing that helpful information!!
Cheers and warmest wishes for a wonderful week,
Cheyanne
Khait
Sweet chili sauce for the win, always and even better that it just cooks away in the slow cooker. Loved it!
Melinda
I always love food that’s packed with healthy protein and loaded with veggies. This was absolutely right up my alley! And pretty easy too!
Brad
While I’m not a fan of spicy food, I enjoy Thai sweet chili sauce. This chicken was super tasty. Well done!
Trina
Totally love sweet chili sauce. And I’m always looking to add to my list of slow cooker meals. This one looked pretty good, but it’s even better than it looks! Flavor packed and DELISH!