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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!  

Overhead shot of Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken on a bed of lo mein noodles in a neutral colored bowl with a pair of wooden chopsticks resting on the side of the bowl and ramekins of sesame seeds and sliced scallions arranged around the bowl.

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!

Angled photo of uncooked chicken thighs in the bowl of a slow cooker with Thai sweet chili sauce being poured on top of the chicken - photo of step 2 of the recipe.

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!

Overhead photo of cooked, shredded chicken thighs coated in a sweet chili sauce in a black slow cooker - photo of stew 4 of the recipe.

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.

Overhead photo of a black slow cooker filled with sliced onions, bell peppers, carrots, pineapple chunks and cooked, shredded sweet chili chicken - photo of step 5 of the recipe.

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

Angled, up-close photo of Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions in a black slow cooker - photo of step 7 of the recipe.

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!

Overhead shot of Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken on a bed of lo mein noodles in a neutral colored bowl with a pair of wooden chopsticks resting on the side of the bowl and a ramekins of sliced scallions tucked into the bottom left hand corner of the shot.

Tips for the best chili chicken in the crockpot 

  1. 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!
  2. 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.
  3. 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!
  4. 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.

Angled shot of Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken garnished with sesame seeds and sliced scallions on a bed of lo mein noodles in a neutral colored bowl with a pair of wooden chopsticks resting on the side of the bowl.

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👇

Overhead, landscape shot of Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken on a bed of lo mein noodles in a neutral colored bowl with a pair of wooden chopsticks resting on the side of the bowl and ramekins of sesame seeds and sliced scallions arranged around the bowl.

Slow Cooker Chili Chicken

5 from 10 votes
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Servings: 6 servings
This Asian Sweet Chili Chicken features tender shredded chicken in a sticky, sweet, subtly-spicy Thai chili sauce with crisp vegetables and fresh herbs. Quick and easy to make thanks to the trusty slow cooker, this chili chicken crockpot recipe is tastier than takeout!

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:

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

    1. 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!
    2. 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.  
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    Nutritional information is an estimate based upon 6 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 321kcal    Carbohydrates: 33g    Protein: 30g    Fat: 6g    Saturated Fat: 1g    Cholesterol: 143mg    Sodium: 832mg    Potassium: 559mg    Fiber: 1g    Sugar: 28g    Vitamin A: 915IU    Vitamin C: 57.8mg    Calcium: 35mg    Iron: 1.7mg

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