Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe

Sizzling Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe That Packs a Punch

Crispy chilli chicken sparks joy in every bite for adventurous home cooks seeking bold flavors.

Spicy aromas waft through kitchens, promising an exciting culinary journey.

Culinary magic happens when tender chicken meets a crackling exterior and zesty sauce.

Careful seasoning creates layers of complex taste that dance across your palate.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building depth and excitement.

Fragrant spices and perfect technique combine to craft a dish that feels both comforting and thrilling.

Jump into this recipe and unlock a world of delicious possibilities waiting to be savored.

Crispy Chilli Chicken With Heat, Crunch, And Flavor

  • Speedy Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this crispy chilli chicken in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a quick, delicious meal.
  • Quick Cooking Technique: The simple frying and stir-fry method ensures crispy chicken with minimal cooking skills required, ideal for home cooks of all levels.
  • Restaurant-Quality Flavor Explosion: Enjoy a restaurant-style dish at home with minimal ingredients, delivering bold, tangy, and spicy flavors that will satisfy your takeout cravings.
  • Versatile Meal Option: Serve over rice, noodles, or as a standalone appetizer, making it adaptable for different dining preferences and occasions like family dinners or casual gatherings.

All Parts Working In Crispy Chilli Chicken

Chicken Ingredients:
  • Chicken Breast: Lean protein that forms the base of the dish, best when fresh and trimmed of excess fat.
  • Cornflour: Creates a crispy coating that helps seal in moisture and provides a light, crunchy texture.
  • Egg White: Helps the cornflour adhere to the chicken and creates a smooth binding layer.
  • Garlic and Ginger Paste: Adds depth of flavor and aromatic base to the chicken.
  • Spring Onions: Provides fresh, mild onion flavor and green color as a garnish.
  • Vegetable Oil: Essential for deep frying to achieve a crispy exterior.
Marinade Ingredients:
  • Dark Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Sugar, White Pepper: Combine to create a rich, savory marinade that infuses the chicken with complex flavors.
  • Garlic and Ginger Paste: Adds additional depth and aromatic notes to the marinade.
Stir Fry Sauce Ingredients:
  • Dark Soy Sauce, Honey, Sriracha, Lemon Juice: Blend together to create a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce that coats the crispy chicken.

Crispy Chili Chicken Cooking Directions

Step 1: Slice and Marinate Chicken

Cut chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.

Prepare a marinade mixture to infuse the chicken with deep, rich flavors.

Let the chicken soak up the delicious marinade for at least 30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to work their magic.

  • Chicken breast
  • Marinade ingredients

Step 2: Create Crispy Coating

Prepare a special coating that will transform the chicken into a crunchy delight.

Mix the marinated chicken pieces thoroughly to ensure every morsel gets an even, delectable layer of crispiness.

  • Cornflour
  • Garlic paste
  • Ginger paste
  • Egg white

Step 3: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a pan until it reaches the ideal temperature.

Carefully lower the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil.

Fry until they turn a gorgeous golden brown, creating an irresistibly crisp exterior.

Transfer the fried chicken to paper towels to remove excess oil.

Step 4: Craft Mouthwatering Sauce

In a wok or large pan, combine sauce ingredients to create a tantalizing glaze.

Heat the mixture until it begins to bubble and become slightly thickened, releasing an incredible aroma that will make everyone’s mouth water.

  • Dark soy sauce
  • Honey
  • Sriracha
  • Lemon juice

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Gently add the crispy chicken pieces to the bubbling sauce.

Toss and coat each piece completely, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.

Sprinkle in fresh spring onions and give a quick stir to blend all the flavors together.

  • Fried chicken pieces
  • Chopped spring onions

Step 6: Plate and Enjoy

Transfer the sizzling chilli chicken to a serving plate.

Garnish with additional fresh spring onions for an extra pop of color and flavor.

Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Smart Tips for Crispy Chilli Chicken

  • Let chicken sit in marinade for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor absorption and tenderize the meat thoroughly.
  • Use cornflour as a secret weapon to create an extra crunchy exterior that locks in moisture and delivers amazing texture.
  • Maintain medium-high heat when frying to ensure golden-brown, crispy chicken without burning or undercooking.
  • Adjust sriracha and honey levels to control spiciness and sweetness according to personal taste preferences.
  • Substitute dark soy sauce with tamari or gluten-free soy sauce to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

Crispy Chilli Chicken Can Be Reheated Without Losing Crunch

  • Store leftover crispy chilli chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread chicken on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
  • Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming. Stop when chicken reaches desired temperature.
  • For best texture, consume reheated chicken within 1-2 days. Avoid repeated reheating to maintain crispy coating and prevent bacterial growth.

Flavor Friends of Crispy Chilli Chicken

  • Pair with Tangy Slaw: Create a zesty coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a light vinegar dressing to cut through the rich, spicy chicken flavors.
  • Complement with Jasmine Rice: Serve fluffy jasmine rice alongside the crispy chilli chicken to absorb the delicious sauce and provide a neutral base for the bold flavors.
  • Match with Crisp Riesling: Select a slightly sweet Riesling wine that balances the spicy heat and complements the honey and sriracha notes in the dish.
  • Cool Down with Cucumber Raita: Prepare a refreshing cucumber yogurt side that helps temper the spiciness and provides a creamy contrast to the crispy chicken.

Crispy Chilli Chicken Tweaks

  • Gluten-Free Version: Swap cornflour with rice flour or almond flour. Use tamari instead of soy sauce to eliminate gluten completely.
  • Low-Carb Keto Option: Replace cornflour coating with crushed pork rinds or almond meal. Substitute honey with a sugar-free sweetener like erythritol.
  • Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or cauliflower florets. Use the same marinade and cooking technique for a plant-based protein option.
  • Spice Level Adjustment: Reduce sriracha for mild heat or add extra chili flakes for intense spiciness. Customize the sauce to personal heat preference without compromising flavor profile.

FAQs

  • What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breast is ideal as it’s lean, tender, and absorbs marinade quickly, ensuring a crispy and flavorful result.

  • Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free soy sauce and cornflour to adapt the recipe for gluten-sensitive diets without compromising taste or texture.

  • How spicy is this chilli chicken?

The spice level depends on the amount of sriracha used. You can adjust the heat by adding more or less sauce to suit your personal preference.

  • Is cornflour necessary for the coating?

Cornflour is crucial for creating a crispy exterior on the chicken. It helps seal in moisture and provides a light, crunchy texture when fried.

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Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe

Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe


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4.7 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Crispy chilli chicken delivers a flavor explosion straight from Chinese-inspired cuisine, blending crunchy textures with spicy-sweet notes. Hungry diners savor each bite of golden-brown chicken pieces glazed with tangy sauce, creating an irresistible meal that draws you into a world of delicious comfort.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 300 grams (10.5 ounces) chicken breast
  • 1 egg white

Primary Coating and Seasoning:

  • 100 grams (3.5 ounces) cornflour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic and ginger paste
  • 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Sauce and Garnish Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons dark soy sauce
  • 4 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 spring onions, chopped
  • Vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic and ginger paste

Instructions

  1. Slice chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized morsels and marinate with selected seasonings, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply for a minimum of half an hour.
  2. Create a crisp coating by thoroughly mixing chicken pieces with cornflour, incorporating fragrant garlic and ginger paste, and binding with egg white until each piece is evenly encased.
  3. Warm vegetable oil in a sturdy pan over medium-high temperature, ensuring proper heat distribution for optimal frying.
  4. Carefully lower coated chicken pieces into hot oil, rotating periodically to achieve a golden, crunchy exterior. Transfer fried pieces onto absorbent paper towels to eliminate excess oil.
  5. Prepare a vibrant sauce by combining dark soy sauce, sweet honey, spicy sriracha, and tangy lemon juice in a spacious wok, heating until the mixture becomes glossy and slightly reduced.
  6. Introduce crispy chicken pieces into the bubbling sauce, gently tossing to ensure comprehensive coverage and flavor integration.
  7. Sprinkle freshly chopped spring onions into the wok, quickly stirring to distribute aromatics and enhance overall taste profile.
  8. Transfer the glazed crispy chilli chicken to a serving platter, garnishing with additional spring onion threads for a fresh, colorful presentation.

Notes

  • Marinate longer for deeper flavor by refrigerating chicken up to 2 hours instead of minimum 30 minutes.
  • Use chicken thighs for juicier result if preferring more tender meat compared to chicken breast.
  • Ensure oil temperature stays consistent around 350-375°F for perfectly crispy exterior without burning chicken pieces.
  • Pat chicken completely dry before coating with cornflour to achieve maximum crunchiness and prevent soggy texture.
  • Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing sriracha amount for personal heat preference without compromising overall recipe balance.
  • Create gluten-free version by substituting dark soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
  • Allow chicken to rest on paper towels briefly after frying to remove excess oil and maintain crispy coating.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Dinner
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 1800 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Emily Harper

Emily Harper

Nutrition Consultant & Recipe Analyst

Expertise

Healthy Recipe Modification, Nutritional Analysis & Meal Planning, Global Cuisine & Dietary Adaptations​

Education

School: French Pastry School, Chicago, IL

Program: L’Art de la Pâtisserie

Focus: Intensive training in traditional French pastry techniques, baking theory, and confectionery arts. ​


Emily’s journey started in a pastry kitchen but took a detour into the world of health and flavor science.
Graduating from the French Pastry School and studying nutrition opened her eyes to a new mission: making healthy food taste like something you’d actually crave.
At Dining At Home, Emily’s the go-to for smart, feel-good recipes that don’t trade flavor for nutrition.
She’s all about adding a fresh spin on old favorites and finding small ways to make everyday meals a little brighter.
Outside of the kitchen, Emily is most at home walking forest trails, testing plant-based recipes, or sharing a picnic under a wide-open sky.

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