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Home Quick and Easy

Asian Chilli Chicken

By:Nagi
Published:15 Feb '21Updated:15 Feb '21
215 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

Asian Chilli Chicken is a quick chicken dinner that’s an explosion of (spicy!) sticky, savoury Asian flavours. 287 calories of tasty goodness in 8 minutes flat!

Pile of Asian Chilli Chicken served over rice with steamed asian greens on the side

Asian Chilli Chicken

Calling a dish “Asian”-something always feels a little generic, a lazy label that people seem to use loosely if a recipe happens to contain a dash of soy sauce.

I can assure you that there’s more than just soy sauce in this! Ginger, garlic, chilli, sesame, sriracha and lime juice all make the roll call of ingredients. While it may not be strictly traditional to any particular cuisine, the flavours still plant this quick chicken recipe firmly in the “Asian” genre in my book.

It’s got a nice kick of spiciness to it but not “blow your head off” spicy, has a balanced sweet-savoury-tang and a hint of sesame to round things off.

Skillet filled with Asian Chilli Chicken, fresh off the stove

What you need for Asian Chilli Chicken

Here’s what you need:

What goes in Asian Chilli Chicken
  • Chicken – Two breasts cut in half horizontally to form 4 steaks in total. Alternatively, 4 to 5 boneless skinless chicken thighs or about 500g/1lb chicken tenderloins;

  • Garlic and ginger – Aromatics for the flavour base;

  • Chilli flakes aka red pepper flakes, and Sriracha – For the spice factor! I like to use both:

    • Chilli flakes for the earthy warmth, which is sautéed with the garlic and ginger;

    • Sriracha – For the spiciness along with vinegar, garlic and other flavours that are in the sauce. Also, Sriracha thickens the sauce.

  • Can’t handle the heat? Skip or reduce the chilli flakes and substitute some of the Sriracha with ketchup. This provides the same sauce thickening qualities. Yes, the spicy sauce at the end will be more sweet but will still have the savoury / tangy qualities of the base recipe – and still be delish!

  • Honey – For the sweetness. You can substitute with sugar or maple syrup;

  • Sesame – For that nutty flavour;

  • Soy sauce – For salt and a bit of flavour. Use all-purpose or light soy sauce here. Don’t use anything labelled “dark soy sauce” (it’s too dark and intense for this recipe) nor “sweet soy sauce” (too sweet). More on different soy sauces here;

  • Lime (or rice vinegar) – For the tang; and

  • Rice flour or just ordinary wheat flour (plain/all-purpose) – To dust the chicken. This creates a light crust that the sauce can clings to. Without it, the sauce just kind of slips off the skin.

Close up of spoon drizzling sticky spicy sweet sauce over Asian Chilli Chicken
A light flour dusting on the chicken creates a crust that the sauce clings to.

How to make Asian Chilli Chicken

This chicken takes 8 minutes to cook: 4 minutes for the chicken itself, then 4 minutes for the sauce. If it takes any longer than that, you’ve overcooked the chicken – nooooo!!!

How to make Asian Chilli Chicken
  1. Season chicken – Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper, and a light dusting of flour;

  2. Pan-sear chicken until golden. For chicken this thin, it should not be any longer than 2 minutes per side;

  3. Sauté aromatics – Remove the chicken. In the same pan sauté garlic, ginger and chilli flakes until they are golden and smell amazing. But don’t inhale too deeply otherwise the chilli will send you off on a coughing fit!

  4. Add sauce ingredients – Now add the Sriracha, honey, soy sauce and honey, and simmer for a couple of minutes until it reduces to a fairly thick and syrupy consistency. Because there’s not much sauce, it will thicken very quickly;

  5. Add lime juice then let it simmer for a minute to thicken again;

  6. Coat chicken – Return chicken to the pan and turn to coat in the sauce. You’re done!

Close up of Asian Chilli Chicken in a skillet, fresh off the stove
Fork picking up a piece of Asian Chilli Chicken

What to serve with Asian Chilli Chicken

There isn’t loads of sauce because the flavour is quite concentrated, almost like a glaze. But there’s certainly enough to serve this with just plain rice – white, brown or cauliflower rice for a low carb option.

For a flavoured rice side, try one of these:

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Rice side dishes
Rice Side Dishes

The greens you spy on the side of the plate are steamed baby bok choy with oyster sauce dressing which, contrary to popular belief, is more than just oyster sauce. Recipe here.

And a few more side salad soptions for you!

Pouring Garlic Ginger Oyster Sauce over steamed Chinese Broccoli
Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce (Gai Lan)
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Sesame Noodles
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Vermicelli Noodle Salad
Overhead photo of Asian Side Salad, ready to be served
Asian Side Salad
Spicy Joint Creamy Sesame Sauce Lettuce Salad
Spicy Joint’s Creamy Sesame Sauce Lettuce Salad

If you’re after a works-with-anything option, try my all-rounder Asian Sesame Dressing drizzled over literally any fresh, steamed or otherwise cooked greens. You just can’t go wrong with that dressing! – Nagi x

PS. Once you’ve tried and loved this, make the shrimp/prawn version → Asian Chilli Garlic Prawns


Watch how to make it

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Pile of Asian Chilli Chicken served over rice with steamed asian greens on the side

Asian Chilli Chicken

Author: Nagi
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 8 minutes mins
Main
Asian, Modern Asian
4.94 from 82 votes
Servings4
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Recipe video above. A quick chicken dinner that's an explosion of (spicy!) Asian flavours! Make this with chicken breast, boneless thighs or tenderloins.
Spiciness level: Spicy but not blow-your-head-off spicy! Remember, I like to think I'm a Spice Monster, but in reality I can't handle the heat (literally!). To dial it back, reduce chilli flakes and see Note 2 about reducing Sriracha.

Ingredients

Chicken:

  • 500g / 1lb breast fillets, skinless and boneless (2 large) (Note 1 other cuts)
  • 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
  • 1 1/2 tbsp rice flour, or all-purpose/plain flour (Note 2)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp oil , vegetable or canola

Sauce:

  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 garlic cloves , finely minced
  • 2 tsp ginger , finely minced
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes / red pepper flakes (reduce for less spicy)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 tbsp sriracha (sub ketchup for not spicy, Note 3)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce , light or all purpose (Note 4)
  • 1/4 cup honey (sub brown sugar)
  • 3 tbsp lime juice (sub 2 tbsp rice vinegar)

Garnishes (choose):

  • Green onion (finely sliced), sesame seeds, fresh chilli, lime wedges

Instructions

Chicken:

  • Season: Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to form 4 steaks total. Sprinkle each side with salt, pepper and rice flour, shaking off excess.
  • Pan-fry: Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add chicken and cook for 2 minutes. Turn and cook the other side for 2 minutes, then remove to a plate.

Sticky Chilli Sauce:

  • Sesame oil: Allow the skillet to cool a bit then return to the stove on medium. Add sesame oil and heat.
  • Garlic and ginger: Add garlic and ginger, cook for 15 seconds.
  • Chilli flakes: Add chilli flakes and cook for 30 seconds until garlic is golden.
  • Sriracha, soy and honey: Turn heat up to medium-high. Add water, sriracha, soy sauce and honey, stir well, scraping the base of the pan to dissolve all the golden bits into the liquid.
  • Simmer for 2 minutes until it reduce to a thick syrup. Add lime juice, then simmer for a further 30 seconds until it thickens back to a thick syrup.
  • Coat chicken: Turn heat off. Return chicken to pan, turning to coat in sauce.
  • Serve chicken, topping with remaining sauce in skillet, garnished with green onions, sesame seed and extra lime wedges, if desired.

Recipe Notes:

1. Chicken – Boneless and skinless thighs and tenderloins also work, use 500g/1lb. Do not cut in half, use whole pieces.
  • Thighs will take longer to cook through, about 4 minutes on the first side, 3 minutes on the second side;
  • Tenderloins are (typically) smaller so they should take the around the same time as breast. 
Internal temperature of cooked chicken:
  • Breast and tenderloin: 65°C / 150°F
  • Thigh: 75°C / 167°F
2. Rice flour – Yields a nice, crispy crust onto which the sticky chilli sauce clings. Without it, the sauce just slips off the chicken. It’s not a big deal if you don’t have it – sub plain/all purpose flour. Rice flour is just slightly crisper. 🙂
3. Sriracha – This adds spiciness as well as other flavours such as vinegar and garlic into the sauce, plus it thickens the sauce.
  • If you want less spicy, sub some of it with ketchup. If you sub all of it, the dish becomes quite sweet so add a dash of extra lime to compensate (it’s also totally not what this recipe is intended to be, but it’s still tasty!)
  • If you want spicy but don’t have sriracha, also sub with ketchup plus any other hot sauce to taste, or cayenne pepper or more chilli flakes.
4. Soy sauce – Use all purpose or light, do not use dark soy sauce (colour and flavour too intense). More on different soy sauces here.
5. Storage – Lean meats like breast and tenderloin are always best served freshly made. But it will keep for 3 – 4 days in the fridge. Best to reheat in the microwave, and gently, so you don’t overcook it!
6. Nutrition per serving, assuming all sauce is consumed.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 287cal (14%)Carbohydrates: 21g (7%)Protein: 27g (54%)Fat: 11g (17%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Trans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 80mg (27%)Sodium: 948mg (41%)Potassium: 522mg (15%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 18g (20%)Vitamin A: 59IU (1%)Vitamin C: 13mg (16%)Calcium: 15mg (2%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Keywords: Asian Chicken, chilli chicken
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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215 Comments

  1. Vic says

    December 11, 2023 at 9:54 pm

    5 stars
    Really delicious. Also did a few prawns (brief cook) in the same sauce. Thighs took longer than 4/3min a side and lots and lots of oil splatter! So probs a weekend dish for us instead of a quick weeknight one.

    Reply
  2. Sue says

    December 11, 2023 at 9:52 am

    5 stars
    This is one of my fav meals. Easy and so delicious. Having said that its a while since I have made it as there have been so many others to try. Back on the list for this week x

    Reply
  3. Sue says

    December 2, 2023 at 12:17 am

    5 stars
    One of my fav dishes. On high rotation

    Reply
  4. Kim says

    November 10, 2023 at 2:16 pm

    Made this last night. Incredible and just the perfect hum of heat in there. Teenage son wiped the plate clean after seconds. Added chopped coriander, chives, fresh chilli and dried shallots on the top to finish it. Delicious.

    Reply
  5. Enoka Perrelli says

    October 19, 2023 at 10:45 am

    Delicious! My husband said it was one of the best he has had! I too used thighs and yes, it take a little longer to cook.

    Reply
  6. Kylie says

    July 30, 2023 at 5:49 pm

    My 17yr old son just said best stir fry ever!
    Disclosure- I only added 2 tbls of chilli. Still a good amount of heat, and used thighs which does increase the cooking time,
    Thanks Nagi- delicious 😋

    Reply
  7. Jennie says

    April 26, 2023 at 10:26 pm

    Hi, could I make this without the sesame oil? (sub for olive or canola?) My husband really dislikes the taste of sesame oil (don’t get me started) but he can literally taste even a trace of it.

    Reply
  8. Rox Berry says

    April 24, 2023 at 5:21 pm

    2nd time making this but this time I followed the recipe precisely and wow, my lips are still burning. Think I’ll revert to halving the chilli. Quick and easy dish, and I’m definitely a fan of the rice flour coating. My 22yo son adores this dish so I’ll be making it again for sure – thanks for another tasty recipe!

    Reply
  9. Terry says

    April 19, 2023 at 7:11 am

    5 stars
    This was amazing!! Fast and really quite delicious! Made the recipe exactly as directed. I used chicken fingers and honey. My husband actually asked for it 2 nights in a row 🤯

    Reply
  10. Suzie says

    February 21, 2023 at 6:50 pm

    5 stars
    This sauce is amazing with salmon too.

    Reply
  11. Martin Quinn says

    February 21, 2023 at 12:03 pm

    4 stars
    Tasty and easy recipe. I’ll be using rice flour as a crumbing flour from now on. I’ll make it again, but it was ‘blow your head off’ hot. I think my Masterfood Chillie Flakes are nuclear strength. Next time I’ll halve the siracha & chillies and add extra to taste.

    Reply
  12. Deborah foulis says

    February 12, 2023 at 8:46 pm

    5 stars
    Another fantastic recipe
    Quick easy and super delicious.
    I used cornflour in place of rice flower – it worked a trestv

    Reply
  13. Dana says

    February 12, 2023 at 2:01 am

    Made this last night according to recipe, mostly. The only change I made was to pound the chicken to the same thickness, then cut in two. The Asian Chili Chicken was incredible!! Served Asian Slaw with peanut ginger sauce and Spicy garlic edamame beans in the pod. Beyond delicious!!!

    Reply
  14. Marbleless says

    February 8, 2023 at 10:54 am

    5 stars
    Just made this. I didn’t use the chili flakes, ran out of Sriracha so used 1 tbsp of sambal oelek (sp?) And 2 tbs of ketchup. It was perfect for us and we ate it all! Served with mango and napa cabbage sauteed with onion, soy, and sesame oil.

    Reply
  15. Angela says

    February 7, 2023 at 10:07 pm

    5 stars
    The flavour of this chicken is amazing!

    Reply
  16. Deborah says

    February 4, 2023 at 8:19 pm

    5 stars
    Another thumbs up Nagi, keep them coming. Delicious 😋 👍

    Reply
  17. Lorelei says

    November 11, 2022 at 7:29 am

    Am I able to bake this chicken in the oven. If so what temp.

    Reply
  18. Deb says

    September 12, 2022 at 7:17 pm

    5 stars
    Weirdly I decided to try this recipe because of the source. I say weirdly because there are few chicken dishes that I really like and I’m not a fan of savory dishes that are sweet. This recipe was amazing. Something about the heat of the siracha and red pepper flakes made the sweetness work for me. It was incredibly quick, easy, appeared elegant, and tasted fantastic, even though I forgot the lime juice.

    Reply
  19. Stephanie says

    September 8, 2022 at 9:08 am

    5 stars
    Awesome and easy to make. I’m a vegetarian that still cooks meat for my family. This was very well received. I love the high heat in the beginning to give the chicken the perfect crispy outer layer and tender inside. Sauce reduces beautiful. Will make again in vegan form! Thanks so much!

    Reply
  20. Claire says

    August 11, 2022 at 5:30 pm

    5 stars
    Love this! Husband loved this, friends loved this… quick, easy and so tasty. Make weekly,
    Serve it with rice and fresh sliced cucumber on the side.
    Thanks Nagi!

    Reply
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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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