Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken Recipe
This Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken recipe offers tender, juicy chicken thighs or breasts simmered in a flavorful, sweet and tangy chili sauce with vibrant bell peppers and onions. Perfect for an easy, hands-off dinner, this dish is served over rice and garnished with fresh green onions and sesame seeds for a delightful meal everyone will love.
- Author: Daniel
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Low Fat
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Sauce
- 1 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
Thickening
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnish and Serving
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Cooked rice (for serving)
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken thighs or breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker, creating the base layer of the dish.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Vegetables: Layer the sliced red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and sliced onion evenly on top of the chicken in the slow cooker to add flavor and texture.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared chili sauce over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly coated. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is very tender and cooked through.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 30 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker to thicken the sauce. Cover again and cook on high for the remaining 30 minutes to achieve a glossy, thickened sauce.
- Serve: Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, serve the sweet chili chicken over freshly cooked rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can use either chicken thighs or breasts depending on your preference; thighs tend to be more tender and flavorful.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, consider adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
- For a thicker sauce without cornstarch, reduce the sauce by cooking uncovered on high for 20-30 minutes after slow cooking.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Serve with steamed jasmine or basmati rice for best results, or substitute with cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximate)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, sweet chili chicken, easy dinner, slow cooker recipe, chicken thighs, Asian chicken recipe