Sweet and Spicy Thai Chicken (Printable View)

Tender chicken pieces glazed in a vibrant Thai sauce balancing sweet and heat flavors.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
05 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil

→ Sauce

06 - 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
07 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
08 - 2 tbsp fish sauce
09 - 2 tbsp honey
10 - 2 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 1-2 tsp sriracha or Thai chili paste
13 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

→ Garnish

14 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
15 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Lime wedges (optional)

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Toss chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl until evenly coated.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
03 - Whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, lime juice, garlic, sriracha, and ginger in a small bowl.
04 - Pour sauce into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened.
05 - Return chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until chicken is well-glazed and heated through.
06 - Remove from heat. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, cilantro, and serve with lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce clings to every piece of chicken like it belongs there
  • Ready in 35 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • That moment when sweet meets heat and everything makes sense
02 -
  • Dont crowd the pan or the chicken will steam instead of sear
  • The sauce thickens fast once it hits the heat, have your chicken ready
  • Room temperature ingredients cook more evenly than cold ones
03 -
  • Cut your chicken into similar sizes so everything finishes cooking together
  • Let the pan get properly hot before adding any oil or meat
  • Fish sauce smells intense raw but disappears into the background once cooked