Description
Deliciously sticky and sweet chili chicken thighs cooked to crispy perfection with a flavorful glaze of sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, and aromatic spices. This Asian-inspired main course offers a perfect balance of heat and sweetness, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare chicken: Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- Cook chicken skin-side down: Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet. Cook for about 7 to 8 minutes until the chicken skin is golden brown and crispy.
- Flip and cook the other side: Turn the chicken thighs over and cook for an additional 5 minutes to start cooking through the meat.
- Make the sauce: While chicken cooks, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl.
- Add sauce and simmer: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the skillet with chicken. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes. Baste the chicken occasionally with the sauce as it thickens and becomes sticky, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked.
- Optional broiling: For extra caramelization and added texture, place the skillet under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes at the end of cooking, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish the chicken thighs with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables as desired.
Notes
- Serve alongside steamed rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
- You can substitute bone-in thighs with boneless thighs or chicken breasts; adjust cooking time accordingly to ensure doneness.
- For an extra kick of heat, add a chopped Thai chili into the sauce mixture.
- Using gluten-free soy sauce makes this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet.
