This EASY Sesame Sweet Chili Chicken is slightly sweet, tangy, savory, nutty, with a touch of heat. You can prepare it days ahead & only minutes to cook!
Sometimes I feel like a short order cook in my house. But this recipe is a Quickie that everyone in my family loves! This EASY Sesame Sweet Chili Chicken is quick to make and mouth wateringly yummy! The fantastic marinade and sauce is slightly sweet, tangy, savory, nutty, with a touch of heat. It will please any ‘chicken-is-boring’ naysayers and kids love it for the sweet and salty sauce. Win Win in my house!
This chicken recipe is part of my Collection of 4 Make Ahead Marinated Chicken Recipes in 30 Minutes. It takes just minutes to prepare, minutes to cook, and everyone will love it!!
Versatile Ideas for Serving Sesame Sweet Chili Chicken
Raise your hand 🖐 if you need more versatility and flexibility in your busy life! Well, this recipe falls right in that camp, since I have ideas for serving cold or hot.
Serving this chicken cold makes it a great meal prep option to bring to work the next day or just a lighter dinner. It would be great with a flavorful creamy and crunchy Sesame Asian Coleslaw Salad or a nutty and hearty Veggie Quinoa Salad.
For serving hot for dinner, you can certainly go real simple with roasted veggies or pairing it with plain rice or quinoa. Or, how about a Super Cheesy Cauliflower Rice?
Ok, let’s get prepping!
Quick note! This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them. This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :). But, I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used.
PREP-AHEAD TO MAKE YOUR SESAME SWEET CHILI CHICKEN
We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are the steps you prepare in the day(s) in advance and store in the fridge as your meal Kit… (See the recipe below for more details)
In a storage bag or storage container, add the Chili Sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds (leave some for garnish). Mix together, then add the raw chicken breasts.
You can marinade the chicken in the sauce for 1 hour up to 8 hours. You can also freeze the chicken in marinade at this point and use it up to 4 months later!
Cook your Sweet Chili Chicken
When you’re ready to cook, remove the marinated chicken breasts from the marinade using tongs, saving the marinade to cook. Add the chicken to a preheated skillet with olive oil. Sear for 2-3 minutes until the the chicken starts to char. Because of the sugar in the sauce, you need to be careful that the chicken doesn’t burn. It’s ok to get a little char as that will be lots of flavor.
Flip the Chicken and sear for another 2-3 minutes. Then add ¼ cup water and the remaining marinade. Cover the skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 F degrees or the chicken feels firm with a little give.
Uncover, turn off the heat and move the skillet off the hot burner. Let rest for a few minutes.
Then remove the chicken and slice it on a bias in ¾ inch slices. This should give you about 5-6 slices.
Serve with rice or veggies, spoon some of the sauce on top or serve it on the side. Then garnish with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro leaves
ENJOY!
😍 Carrie
Easy Sesame Sweet Chili Chicken
This EASY Sesame Sweet Chili Chicken is quick to make and mouth wateringly yummy! The fantastic marinade and sauce is slightly sweet, tangy, savory, nutty, with a touch of heat. You can prepare it days ahead, tt takes just minutes to prepare, minutes to cook, and everyone will love it!! #chicken #sauce #sweetchili #marinades #easydinner #easychicken #chickenrecipes #easysauces #healthydinner #healthyfood #healthyrecipes #glutenfree #dairyfree
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 3 tablespoon Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic, Minced (1 clove)
- 2 teaspoon Sesame Seeds 1 teaspoon for marinade, 1 teaspoon for garnish
- 16 oz Chicken Breasts
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¼ cup Water
- Fresh Cilantro for garnish optional
Instructions
Prep Ahead Steps
-
In a storage bag or storage container, add the Chili Sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds (leave some for garnish). Mix together, then add the raw chicken breasts.
-
You can marinade the chicken in the sauce for 1 hour up to 8 hours.
Cooking Instructions
-
Preheat a skillet on high and add Olive Oil. Remove the marinated chicken breasts from the marinade using tongs, saving the marinade to cook. Add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet. Sear for 2-3 minutes until the the chicken starts to char. Because of the sugar in the sauce, you need to be careful that the chicken doesn’t burn. It’s ok to get a little char as that will be lots of flavor.
-
Flip the Chicken and sear for another 2-3 minutes. Then add ¼ cup water and the remaining marinade. Cover the skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 F degrees or the chicken feels firm with a little give.
-
Uncover, turn off the heat and move the skillet off the hot burner. Let rest for a few minutes. Then remove the chicken and slice it on a bias in ¾ inch slices. This should give you about 5-6 slices.
-
Serve with rice or veggies, spoon some of the sauce on top or serve it on the side. Then garnish with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro leaves.
Ashley says
I made this for dinner last night, only I threw it in the instant pot bc I didn’t have time to cook. Shredded it and served it over rice. My entire family ate it up, and my husband declared that I need to “put it on the list of favorites!” Will definitely be making this again!!
Carrie Tyler says
Thanks, Ashley!! So happy you all loved it and love the tip to make it in the Instant Pot!!
Happy Cooking! Carrie
Linger says
Oh my goodness!! You have definitely made my mouth water looking at these photos. The combination of your ingredients makes this recipe sound so incredibly yummy. What a bonus too that you can make this dish in 30 minutes. As always Carrie, thanks so much for sharing!
Mary Christiansen says
Hi Carrie,
I have always heard that you shouldn’t use a marinade for cooking that you’ve already marinated raw chicken in. Is this safe? Should you reserve some of the marinade for cooking before marinating the chicken in the remaining marinade? I’m confused. Am I totally wrong?
This recipe looks delicious, but I want to be safe about it.
Mary