Save My brother stumbled home from a weekend in Portland raving about this sweet chili glaze he'd eaten at a food cart. He couldn't remember the name of the place, but he spent the next three months in our tiny apartment kitchen trying to reverse engineer that perfect balance of tangy heat and honey sweetness. This recipe is what finally made him stop experimenting and start eating.
I made this for a Tuesday night dinner with friends once and watched one of them literally lick her plate. She texted me the next day asking if I'd sell her the sauce recipe. Now whenever she comes over there's an unspoken expectation that sweet chili chicken is happening.
What's for Dinner Tonight? 🤔
Stop stressing. Get 10 fast recipes that actually work on busy nights.
Free. No spam. Just easy meals.
Ingredients
- Sweet chili sauce: This is the backbone of the dish and worth buying a brand you actually like tasting
- Soy sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos if you need this gluten free
- Honey: Balances the heat and helps the sauce cling to every inch of the chicken
- Fresh limes: Don't skip these they brighten everything and cut through the sweetness
- Ground ginger: A little goes a long way for that warm underlying spice
- Chicken breasts: Halving them into cutlets means faster cooking and more surface area for sauce
- Olive oil: Just enough to get a good golden sear going
- Green onion: Fresh contrast against all that rich glazed flavor
Tired of Takeout? 🥡
Get 10 meals you can make faster than delivery arrives. Seriously.
One email. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Instructions
- Make the magic sauce:
- Whisk together sweet chili sauce soy sauce honey lime juice and ginger until completely smooth
- Marinate the chicken:
- Place chicken cutlets in a sealable bag and pour in half the marinade refrigerate for at least 30 minutes up to 2 hours
- Get that sear:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat remove chicken from marinade and cook 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown
- Build the glaze:
- Reduce heat to medium pour the remaining fresh marinade over chicken and simmer 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything beautifully
- Pressure cook to perfection:
- Transfer chicken and thickened sauce to your pressure cooker secure the lid and cook on poultry mode or high pressure for 10 minutes
- Finish and serve:
- Quick release the pressure and serve with all that sauce over rice noodles or straight up topped with green onion and lime wedges
Save This became my go to when I'm cooking for people who claim they don't like spicy food. Something about that sweet chili sauce just works for everyone and watching skeptical faces light up after the first bite never gets old.
Still Scrolling? You'll Love This 👇
Our best 20-minute dinners in one free pack — tried and tested by thousands.
Trusted by 10,000+ home cooks.
Serving Ideas That Work
Jasmine rice is classic but I've also served this over ramen noodles and even inside lettuce wraps for a lighter version. The sauce is versatile enough that whatever you choose will probably work beautifully.
Make Ahead Strategy
The chicken actually gets better after sitting in that sauce for a day. I'll often cook it on Sunday and eat it throughout the week for lunch. Just reheat gently so the sauce doesn't separate.
Scaling For Crowds
When I'm feeding a group I double the sauce recipe but keep the chicken portions reasonable. Everyone wants extra sauce and running out is the kind of kitchen tragedy that's easily avoided with a little planning.
- Set out extra lime wedges at the table some people love that extra acid
- Red pepper flakes can be served on the side for heat seekers
- Reserve a little sauce before pressure cooking if you want to drizzle more at the end
Save There's something deeply satisfying about a recipe that looks impressive but comes together on a weeknight without any stress. This is that recipe for me.
Recipe Q&A
- → Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless chicken thighs work beautifully and may offer even more juiciness. Adjust pressure cooking time to 12-15 minutes depending on thickness.
- → Is sweet chili sauce spicy?
Most commercial sweet chili sauces offer mild heat with a focus on sweetness. For more spice, add red pepper flakes or use a hotter variety.
- → Can I skip the pressure cooker step?
Absolutely. After searing, simmer the chicken in the skillet covered for 15-20 minutes until cooked through, then uncover to reduce the sauce.
- → What should I serve with this dish?
Jasmine rice or steamed white rice creates the perfect base to soak up the sauce. Noodles or roasted vegetables also work well.
- → How long should I marinate the chicken?
Thirty minutes minimum provides good flavor, but marinating up to 2 hours or overnight yields deeper, more complex taste throughout the meat.
- → Can I make this gluten-free?
Simply substitute the soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Always verify your sweet chili sauce is certified gluten-free as well.
