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This Asian Sweet Chili Chicken is packed with veggies and tossed in a sticky, sweet and subtly spicy sauce. Quick and easy to make thanks to the trusty slow cooker, this chili chicken crockpot recipe is a winner, winner family dinner!
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 slow cooker chili chicken
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!
FAQs: chicken with sweet chili sauce
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 is sweet chili chicken?
Sweet chili chicken is a popular American-Asian dish featuring tender pieces of chicken in a sticky, tangy, sweet and spicy sauce. You can serve sweet chili chicken as an appetizer or main dish.
Chili chicken can be fried, baked, stir-fried or slow cooked and made with or without vegetables, depending on the recipe. This sweet chili chicken recipe utilizes the slow cooker to create an easy, hands-off dish the entire family will love!
What goes with sweet chili sauce chicken?
This crockpot sweet chili chicken recipe is already packed with onions, peppers, carrots and pineapple chunks, plus served with noodles for a full-blown meal. However, if you are looking to make substitutions or you are serving a crowd, below are some delicious side serving options!
- Rice, Cauliflower Rice or Quinoa
- Broccoli
- Snap Peas
- Mushrooms
- Baby Corn
- Zucchini
Is this sweet chicken chili recipe healthy?
Sweet chili sauce has a fairly high sugar content which makes it relatively high in calories. While the sauce does contain capsaicin (chili peppers) which have health benefits, the sauce should be consumed in moderation.
This crockpot sweet chili chicken recipe is packed with peppers, onions, carrots and protein-rich chicken to offset the chili sauce, however I would eat this chicken in moderation. Always remember a healthy diet shouldn’t be about deprivation, but instead moderation!
Tips for the best chili chicken in the crockpot
- While this recipe for chili chicken 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!
- 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 it’s packed full, it will take longer to heat up and cook through.
- 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 desire!
- 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.
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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The best Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe👇
Slow Cooker Chili Chicken
Equipment
- 1 crockpot or slow cooker
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 2 Pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs – trimmed of excess fat
- Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper
- 1 small Sweet Onion – thinly sliced
- 1 large Red Bell Peppers – thinly sliced
- 1 ½ Cups Pineapple
- 1 Cup Shredded Carrots
- 1 Pound Dried Lo Mein Noodles
Sauce:
- 1 Cup Sweet Chili Sauce
- 3 TBS Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
- 3 cloves Garlic – minced
- 2 tsp Fresh Ginger - grated
Optional for Garnish: Sliced Green Onions & Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- Season chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Transfer chicken to the bottom of your crockpot or slow cooker insert.
- Make chili sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the sauce (sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, garlic and ginger). Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until chicken is tender enough to shred.(Note: I recommend cooking the chicken on LOW for the best results.)
- Shred chicken: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker to a clean work surface. Shred or slice the chicken and return it back to the slow cooker, along with any juices or sauce that has accumulated on the work surface.
- Add vegetables: Add in the onion, bell pepper, pineapple and carrots. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- (OPTIONAL) Meanwhile, cook lo mein: Boil and drain lo mein noodles according to package directions. Either add the noodles to the slow cooker and stir well to coat, or transfer noodles to serving bowls and top with sweet chili chicken.
- Serve immediately garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
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!
- 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.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
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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. 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Totally love sweet chili sauce Chey. And I’m always looking to add to my list of slow cooker meals! This one looks flavor packed and DELISH!
Kevin
You had me at sweet chili sauce….this dish is sure packed with flavor! Looks like a winner!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Sweet chili sauce for the win, always and even better that it just cooks away in the slow cooker 🙂 Love it!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
You’re the flavor queen, Chey! I LOVE every single flavor you have going on here and I must try this soon! Have a great weekend, girlie!
Marissa
We love the play of spicy and sweet in our house so you know where we stand on sweet chili sauce! This chicken is totally drool worthy, Cheyanne. Love that it’s made in the slow cooker!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen
While I’m not a fan of spicy food, I enjoy spicy&sweet combinations once in a while, and this sauce sounds perfect (I’m not going to drink it from a glass though.) Combined with juicy chicken, that must be super tasty. And personally, I’m going to have it with noodles or rice because I’m not on a diet today (Or never). Well done!
angiesrecipes
I always love food that’s packed with healthy protein and loaded with veggies. This looks absolutely right up my alley!