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Very Affordable Sweet Chili Chicken

Close-up of crispy chicken pieces coated in a shiny, dark orange Very Affordable Sweet Chili Chicken glaze on a white plate.
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Make a delicious, takeout-style sweet chili chicken using simple, budget-friendly ingredients. This recipe focuses on low cost without sacrificing flavor.

Ingredients

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  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
  2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  4. In the same skillet, combine the water, sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic powder, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  5. Let the sauce simmer for 2 minutes.
  6. Whisk the cornstarch slurry again and pour it slowly into the simmering sauce, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. This takes about 1 minute.
  7. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss the chicken pieces until they are fully coated with the sweet chili glaze.
  8. Serve immediately over rice or with steamed vegetables.

Notes

  • Using chicken thighs is often cheaper than breasts and stays more moist during cooking.
  • If you have bottled sweet chili sauce, you can substitute 1 cup of it for the water, sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and spices, reducing the liquid slightly.
  • This recipe scales well for meal prepping; store the sauce and chicken separately until ready to eat for best texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishdreams.com/very-affordable-sweet-chili-chicken/