When you’re craving something delicious with a bit of sweetness and a little heat, this Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken is a perfect choice. Not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it also fills your kitchen with a tantalizing aroma that’ll have everyone anticipating mealtime. This recipe blends the subtle heat of chili sauce with the richness of soy sauce, and it all comes together over several hours, allowing the flavors to deepen and meld beautifully. It’s an excellent dish to prepare on a busy day since the slow cooker does all the work, giving you a tasty meal with minimal hands-on time.
This dish pairs beautifully with rice or noodles, and its versatility allows you to serve it in various ways, like in lettuce wraps or even with steamed veggies for a wholesome, balanced meal. With just a few simple ingredients, you can bring a dish to the table that’s worthy of a cozy family dinner or even a casual gathering with friends. Here’s everything you need to know to create this flavorful slow cooker recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Effortless Prep: Perfect for busy days or when you want to set it and forget it.
- Flavorful Blend: The mix of sweet, spicy, and savory elements makes every bite memorable.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy over rice, noodles, or use as a flavorful filling in wraps.
- Family-Friendly: The mild heat makes it approachable for all ages, and you can easily adjust the spice level.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Chicken Breasts: 4-6 boneless, skinless, for tender bites
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds a blend of sweetness and heat that’s essential to the dish’s flavor
- Soy Sauce (low sodium): Brings savory depth to balance the sweetness
- Honey: A natural sweetener that caramelizes for extra richness
- Garlic: Freshly minced, for an aromatic, savory kick
- Ginger: Finely grated; ginger adds warmth and a subtle spice
- Bell Peppers: Red, green, or yellow; sliced for color and crunch
- Onions: Thinly sliced to enhance the base flavor of the sauce
- Cornstarch: Optional, to thicken the sauce if desired
- Green Onions & Sesame Seeds: For garnish; adds freshness and a little crunch
How to Make Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken:
- Prepare the Ingredients: Start by gathering all ingredients. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger, ensuring everything is ready for layering in the slow cooker.
- Layer the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker in an even layer. Top the chicken with the sliced bell peppers and onions, distributing them evenly. This step allows the vegetables to cook alongside the chicken, adding flavor and color.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. This sauce will bring all the flavors together as it cooks, coating the chicken and vegetables in a beautiful glaze.
- Pour the Sauce Over the Chicken: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables, making sure it’s well-distributed so that each piece of chicken gets coated as it cooks.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on the low setting for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours if you’re short on time. Cooking on low allows the flavors to develop more fully and keeps the chicken tender.
- Check for Doneness: When the time is up, check that the chicken is fully cooked by ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The chicken should be very tender and easy to shred.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of water to form a slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Let it cook for an additional 15-20 minutes on high until the sauce thickens.
- Garnish and Serve: Once your chicken is ready, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps for a fresh twist.
Helpful Tips:
- Adjusting Spice Level: If you like it extra spicy, add a few dashes of sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
- Alternative Proteins: While chicken is traditional, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for added richness, or even tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Make-Ahead Option: Prepare the sauce a day ahead and marinate the chicken in it for even more flavor.
- Leftover Love: This dish makes fantastic leftovers; just reheat gently and serve in a sandwich wrap, or toss with a fresh salad for a quick lunch.
Recipe Details:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (on low)
- Total Time: 6-7 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten-Free (use gluten-free soy sauce)
Notes:
Feel free to add more vegetables like sliced carrots, snow peas, or baby corn to this dish for extra texture and nutrition. If you’re a fan of citrus, try adding a squeeze of lime juice at the end to brighten the flavors.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 350 | Protein: 25g | Carbohydrates: 32g | Fat: 8g | Fiber: 3g
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe? It’s recommended to thaw the chicken first for the best texture. Cooking frozen chicken in a slow cooker can result in uneven cooking and may affect food safety.
How do I store leftovers? Allow the chicken to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Can I make this recipe in the Instant Pot? Yes! For the Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then use a quick release. Thicken the sauce with cornstarch if desired.
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Conclusion:
This Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken is a cozy, crowd-pleasing recipe with just the right balance of sweetness and spice. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or a weekend meal prep, and it’s flexible enough to suit a variety of dietary preferences and serving styles. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or simply want to make enough for leftovers, this dish is sure to become a household favorite. Enjoy!
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Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken
Description
When you’re craving something delicious with a bit of sweetness and a little heat, this Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken is a perfect choice. Not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it also fills your kitchen with a tantalizing aroma that’ll have everyone anticipating mealtime. This recipe blends the subtle heat of chili sauce with the richness of soy sauce, and it all comes together over several hours, allowing the flavors to deepen and meld beautifully. It’s an excellent dish to prepare on a busy day since the slow cooker does all the work, giving you a tasty meal with minimal hands-on time.
This dish pairs beautifully with rice or noodles, and its versatility allows you to serve it in various ways, like in lettuce wraps or even with steamed veggies for a wholesome, balanced meal. With just a few simple ingredients, you can bring a dish to the table that’s worthy of a cozy family dinner or even a casual gathering with friends. Here’s everything you need to know to create this flavorful slow cooker recipe!
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: 4-6 boneless, skinless, for tender bites
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds a blend of sweetness and heat that’s essential to the dish’s flavor
- Soy Sauce (low sodium): Brings savory depth to balance the sweetness
- Honey: A natural sweetener that caramelizes for extra richness
- Garlic: Freshly minced, for an aromatic, savory kick
- Ginger: Finely grated; ginger adds warmth and a subtle spice
- Bell Peppers: Red, green, or yellow; sliced for color and crunch
- Onions: Thinly sliced to enhance the base flavor of the sauce
- Cornstarch: Optional, to thicken the sauce if desired
- Green Onions & Sesame Seeds: For garnish; adds freshness and a little crunch
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Start by gathering all ingredients. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger, ensuring everything is ready for layering in the slow cooker.
- Layer the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker in an even layer. Top the chicken with the sliced bell peppers and onions, distributing them evenly. This step allows the vegetables to cook alongside the chicken, adding flavor and color.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. This sauce will bring all the flavors together as it cooks, coating the chicken and vegetables in a beautiful glaze.
- Pour the Sauce Over the Chicken: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables, making sure it’s well-distributed so that each piece of chicken gets coated as it cooks.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on the low setting for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours if you’re short on time. Cooking on low allows the flavors to develop more fully and keeps the chicken tender.
- Check for Doneness: When the time is up, check that the chicken is fully cooked by ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The chicken should be very tender and easy to shred.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of water to form a slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Let it cook for an additional 15-20 minutes on high until the sauce thickens.
- Garnish and Serve: Once your chicken is ready, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps for a fresh twist.
Notes
Feel free to add more vegetables like sliced carrots, snow peas, or baby corn to this dish for extra texture and nutrition. If you’re a fan of citrus, try adding a squeeze of lime juice at the end to brighten the flavors.