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Sweet Chili Chicken (Skillet)

Diced chicken breast in a thin cornstarch coat, fried in a single layer and tossed in a garlic-ginger sweet chili sauce, served over jasmine rice.

Ingredients
  

For the chicken
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
  • Cornstarch
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Vegetable oil
For the sauce
  • Sweet chili sauce
  • Garlic
  • Fresh ginger
  • Soy sauce
  • Rice vinegar
For serving
  • Jasmine rice
  • Green onions
  • White sesame seeds

Equipment

  • 12-inch stainless-steel skillet
  • small saucepan with lid
  • small bowl
  • slotted spoon

Method
 

  1. Set out all ingredients. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
  2. Slice each breast lengthwise into strips, then cut across into ½-inch cubes.
  3. Peel and mince the garlic. Grate the ginger. Slice the green onions into thin rings.
  4. Whisk the sweet chili sauce, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and rice vinegar in a small bowl.
  5. Rinse the jasmine rice in a fine mesh sieve. Cook in the small saucepan with the lid on, then fluff with a fork.
  6. Toss the diced chicken with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper until every piece has a dry white coat.
  7. Heat a thin layer of vegetable oil in the skillet until it shimmers. Lay the chicken in a single layer, spaced apart.
  8. Turn as the undersides turn golden-brown and crisp. Cook 5–10 minutes until every piece is golden-brown and crisp on all sides, with no pink left.
  9. Lift the chicken out with a slotted spoon onto a plate.
  10. Pour the sauce into the skillet over low heat and simmer gently until it thickens into a glossy red syrup.
  11. Return the chicken to the sauce and toss until every piece wears a sticky red glaze.
  12. Scatter green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken. Serve over steamed jasmine rice.

Notes

Cook time: 5–10 minutes (skillet stage)Allergen note (informational): contains soy (soy sauce).