This Chili Crisp Chicken is full of flavor, balancing spice and sweetness, making it utterly delicious! Tender, juicy pieces of chicken enveloped in a sticky blend of honey, chili crisp, and lime … simply delightful!
Chicken bites are one of my go-to dishes to prepare. They have broad appeal and are remarkably straightforward to make! Plus, they taste absolutely fantastic. I’ve previously provided recipes for garlic chicken bites, Greek chicken bites, and ranch chicken bites, but this spicy chili crisp chicken recipe might just be the winner!
If you haven’t tried chili crisp yet, you should definitely give it a shot! Traditionally found in American-Chinese cuisine, it has surged in popularity in recent years—deservedly so. Usually composed of peppers, onions, and/or garlic mixed in chili oil, this fiery condiment is perfect for chicken recipes.
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Super easy – You just need 25 minutes and a few ingredients to whip up this spicy chili crisp chicken recipe.
- Spicy, yet not OVERLY spicy – This honey chili crisp chicken delivers a mild kick, but the sweetness from the honey and the tartness of the lime juice help balance the heat.
- Adaptable – Serve chili crisp chicken breast with toothpicks for an easy appetizer or over rice for a simple meal. Use leftovers in tacos or on a salad.
Recipe Notes
This Chili Crisp Chicken recipe is as uncomplicated as it sounds! Just 7 ingredients and 25 minutes for a dish that the entire family will love.
In this section, I’ll share a few techniques and tips for creating Chili Crisp Chicken that maximizes deliciousness.
Make sure to scroll down for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
For the chicken bites:
- Chicken – You need two pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Sesame oil – Used for quick marinating and for cooking the chicken.
- Lime juice – The acidity from lime juice helps create the juiciest chicken bites while adding vibrant flavor.
- Cornstarch – This ingredient absorbs excess moisture on the chicken’s surface while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
- Salt & pepper
- Garlic powder – Contributes a pleasant hint of garlic flavor to the chili crisp chicken.
For the sauce:
- Chili crisp – Commonly found in the Asian section of most grocery stores in a jar. It’s frequently available at well-stocked places like Trader Joe’s and Costco.
- Honey – You can use any type of honey you prefer.
- Lime juice – For an extra burst of bright and tangy flavor.
and to slightly lower the heat level.
Don’t forget to consult the recipe card at the end of this post for the complete list of ingredients and their amounts.
Recipe Variations
- Chili Crisp Chicken Cutlets– This chili crisp chicken idea can also be modified with other cuts of chicken. To use chicken cutlets, slice a chicken breast horizontally. Keep in mind larger pieces may require a longer cooking time.
- Extra Spicy Chili Crisp Chicken– Add more chili crisp for an even spicier flavor profile!
- Baked Chili Crisp Chicken Bites– Instead of frying the chicken in a skillet, you can arrange the pieces in a 9×13 baking dish and drizzle sesame oil on top. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Recipe Step by Step
I’ll highlight several important steps from the recipe here, but don’t forget to check the recipe card for detailed instructions on making Chili Crisp Chicken.
Place the chicken into a mixing bowl, followed by sesame oil, lime juice, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Thoroughly blend all ingredients until well combined.
Cooking Tip
- Employ an instant-read thermometer – You can check if your chicken bites are fully cooked by ensuring no pink is visible. For additional confidence, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of one of the larger pieces; a reading of 165°F indicates that your chicken is fully cooked.
Cooking Shortcuts
If you’re looking to whip up this recipe but are short on time, consider these tips to help speed up the process!
- Prep ahead of time – Cut the chicken, prepare the marinade, and mix the sauce ahead of schedule, storing each separately in the refrigerator for up to three days. When you’re ready to cook your chili crisp chicken, it will be a breeze!
- Let your butcher handle the cutting – Often, you can find chicken already sliced into bite-sized chunks, or your butcher can quickly cut it for you.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Turning this Chili Crisp Chicken recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Just follow the instructions outlined below, and you can store this dish in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To Freeze Before Cooking
- Prepare your chicken by cutting it, then make your marinade and sauce.
- Store them separately in freezer bags or airtight containers and freeze for up to 6 months.
- When ready to cook, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and proceed with the chili crisp chicken as directed.
How to Freeze Chili Crisp Chicken After Cooking
- Prepare the recipe as directed and let it cool to room temperature.
- Move the cooked chili crisp chicken to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge prior to reheating.
What to Serve with Chili Crisp Chicken
This protein-rich meal, bursting with the delightful flavors of onions and chilis, pairs beautifully with a range of Asian-inspired side dishes.
Choose one or more of the following sides for a well-rounded, satisfying dinner. Options include both traditional and light choices.
Side Dish Ideas
Chili Crisp Chicken Leftovers
If you end up with leftovers from this dish, consider yourself lucky! They keep well and can serve as the foundation for another delicious meal.
To store leftovers, divide them into meal-sized portions and keep in an airtight container. They can be stored:
- In the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- In the freezer for up to one month
Leftover Recipes
Here are several inventive ideas to remix those leftovers into something tasty!
- Chili Crisp Chicken Tacos– Warm the leftover chili crisp chicken and serve in corn tortillas with coleslaw and pickled red onions.
- Chili Crisp Chicken Bowls– Serve the chicken over rice, topped with cucumber slices, red bell pepper strips, and avocado slices. Drizzle with a creamy dressing like ranch.
- Chili Crisp Chicken Salad– Place the chicken over a bed of lettuce. Add shredded carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, and a simple vinaigrette enhanced with fresh ginger and a dash of soy sauce.
Recipe FAQs
What’s the difference between chili crunch and chili crisp?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, products labeled as chili crunch sometimes include extra crunchy components.
What does chili crisp taste like?
Chili crisp offers a spicy and savory flavor profile, accentuated by undertones of onion.
and/or garlic, finishing with a pleasing heat.
Additional EASY Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I encourage you to take a moment to discover more simple recipes perfect for those busy evenings.
All my easy chicken recipes can be found here, or check out some favorites shared by our readers listed below.
Ingredients for the Sweet Chili Crisp Sauce
Cut the chicken into pieces measuring 1-2 inches. In a bowl or zip-top bag, mix together the chicken with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, lime juice, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.Toss the mixture until the chicken is evenly coated.
To make the sweet chili crisp sauce, combine the chili crisp, honey, and lime juice. Set aside until the chicken is prepared.
Heat a skillet on medium-high heat. Add the remaining tablespoon of sesame oil to the skillet. Place the chicken in the pan and let it cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, then stir and cook for another 1-2 minutes.Drizzle the sweet chili crisp sauce over the chicken and toss to combine. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked, then remove from heat.
Top with finely sliced green onions and serve hot.
- You may choose to use larger pieces of chicken; just be sure to adjust the cooking time, as they will take longer to cook through.
Storage Instructions: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing Instructions: This Chili Crisp Chicken dish is excellent for freezing. You can freeze it prior to or after cooking. For detailed freezing instructions, see the “how to freeze” section of the original post.
Reheating Instructions: Reheat in the microwave at 30-second intervals or cover with aluminum foil and warm in the oven.
Recipe Scaling: You can easily double this recipe for gatherings or halve it for smaller portions.
Calories: 489kcal (24%), Carbohydrates: 25g (8%), Protein: 48g (96%), Fat: 21g (32%), Saturated Fat: 3g (19%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: – Cholesterol: 145 mg (48%)
– Sodium: 896 mg (39%)
– Potassium: 879 mg (25%)
– Fiber: 0.3 g (1%)
– Sugar: 18 g (20%)
– Vitamin A: 76 IU (2%)
– Vitamin C: 6 mg (7%)
– Calcium: 17 mg (2%)
– Iron: 1 mg (6%)
This nutritional breakdown provides valuable insights into the composition of the product, indicating the presence of various nutrients and their respective contributions to daily dietary requirements.
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