Name: Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger; 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (slurry)

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There’s nothing quite like the bold, punchy flavors and luscious texture you get with Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs. This is that weeknight dinner you’ll want to make on repeat: tender chicken thighs enveloped in a glossy sweet chili glaze, full of garlicky savoriness and a gentle tang, all finished with a sticky, caramelized edge. Whether you’re serving a casual family meal or looking to spice up your regular chicken routine, these Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs are pure comfort and excitement on a plate. Let’s get cooking!

Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic here is that every ingredient is straightforward, but each one plays a starring role in building those irresistible flavors, bright colors, and sticky texture. Here’s what you’ll need—and why it matters.

Chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay tender and juicy, plus they soak up all that sticky sauce.
Olive oil: Just a tablespoon helps get your chicken a golden, flavorful sear before baking.
Salt: A little goes a long way to enhance all the savory notes and bring the flavors together.
Black pepper: Adds a mild warmth and depth without overpowering the sweet chili sauce.
Sweet chili sauce: The star of the sauce—this brings sweetness, a touch of heat, and that signature sticky finish.
Soy sauce: Adds a savory, umami backbone and balances out the sweetness.
Rice vinegar: Brings a delicate tang and freshness to lighten up the sauce.
Honey: Deepens the sweetness and helps achieve that caramelized, glossy coating.
Garlic: Minced for bold, aromatic flavor throughout the sauce.
Fresh ginger: Grated ginger brings brightness and just a little zing that beautifully complements the sweet chili.
Cornstarch slurry: Just a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with water creates that thick, clingy sauce texture you’ll want to drizzle over everything.

How to Make Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Grab your chicken thighs and give them a quick pat dry with a paper towel—this step is key for a good sear and helps the seasonings stick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and black pepper. This sets the stage for a super flavorful bite in every forkful.

Step 2: Sear for Flavor

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken thighs. Sear each side for 2–3 minutes until they’re beautifully golden brown. You’re not aiming to cook them through here—just enough to build up that mouthwatering crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside while you make the sauce magic.

Step 3: Make the Sticky Sweet Chili Sauce

In that same skillet (don’t clean it—you want those flavorful bits!), pour in the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger. Stir everything together and let it come to a gentle simmer. The smell at this point is worth pausing to savor!

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

Now for that signature glossy coating. Stir the cornstarch slurry (just cornstarch mixed with a bit of water) into your bubbling sauce. Let it cook for a minute or two until the sauce thickens and becomes velvety smooth, coating the back of a spoon. This is what will give your Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs their irresistible finish.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the skillet, spooning plenty of sauce over the top so every piece is well-coated. Transfer the whole skillet to the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F inside, and you’ll see the sauce turn bubbly and sticky around the edges—pure gold!

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Once out of the oven, let your chicken rest for about five minutes. This helps keep every bite tender and juicy. Then, go ahead and spoon lots of that glossy sauce over each serving. The aromas, colors, and flavors will make it tough to resist digging in immediately!

How to Serve Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

Garnishes

A simple sprinkle of chopped green onions or sesame seeds goes a long way, adding fresh flavor and visual appeal. Both garnishes give your Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs just the right pop of color and crunch against the sticky, saucy chicken. If you’re feeling fancy, a handful of fresh cilantro or thin-sliced red chili can also dial up the excitement.

Side Dishes

These chicken thighs shine with steamed jasmine rice or fluffy white rice to soak up every last drop of sticky sauce. Add stir-fried veggies like snap peas, bok choy, or bell peppers for vibrant color and crunch. If you’re in a noodle mood, slippery rice noodles tossed in a splash of soy sauce make this dinner truly slurp-worthy.

Creative Ways to Present

For a crowd-pleasing appetizer, slice the chicken and pile it onto skewers with a drizzle of extra sauce and a scattering of scallions. Or shred the thighs and tuck them into lettuce wraps for a fresh, crunchy twist. Want something casual? Serve Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs in a warm rice bowl topped with quick-pickled veggies for extra zing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so don’t be surprised if you love the leftovers just as much (or more) the next day! Don’t forget to keep all of that extra sauce for spooning over rice or vegetables.

Freezing

Need to prep ahead? These chicken thighs freeze well. Let everything cool fully, then place the chicken and sauce into a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to preserve the texture and saucy goodness.

Reheating

When ready to enjoy, gently reheat the chicken and sauce in a covered skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally to keep things glossy and prevent sticking. A splash of water can help loosen the sauce if it thickens too much. Microwave reheating also works, just cover the container and use short bursts, stirring every so often for even heating.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken thighs?

Absolutely! Bone-in chicken thighs work well; just extend the baking time by 5–10 minutes to ensure they’re cooked through. The result will be super moist chicken with even richer flavor from the bone.

Is there a substitute for sweet chili sauce?

If you can’t find sweet chili sauce, mix together regular chili sauce with a little honey, a splash of vinegar, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. It won’t be exactly the same, but it gives a similar sweet-heat vibe that’s perfect for these Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs.

Can I grill the chicken instead of baking?

Definitely! Grill the seasoned thighs over medium heat, then brush with the thickened sauce during the last few minutes of cooking for the signature sticky glaze. That smoky char is a game-changer for flavor.

What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?

No worries—just sear the chicken and make the sauce in a regular skillet, then transfer everything to a baking dish before popping it in the oven. It works just as well and you’ll still get deliciously saucy results.

How spicy are Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs?

They’re more sweet and tangy than spicy! The sweet chili sauce provides a gentle, approachable heat. If you want things a bit bolder, add a dash of hot sauce or some sliced fresh chili to taste.

Final Thoughts

There’s something irresistible about the sticky, savory-sweet glaze clinging to these chicken thighs—you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe time and time again. Give Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs a try and discover just how easy and delicious a little homemade magic can be. Your future self (and your taste buds) will thank you!

Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs Recipe

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4.8 from 5 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Enjoy these Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs for a flavorful and easy-to-make meal. Tender chicken thighs smothered in a sweet and spicy sauce, baked to perfection, and served with a sticky, delicious glaze.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Thighs:

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs,

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the sauce:

1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (slurry)

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Instructions

Preheat oven: to 400°F.
Prepare chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper.
Sear chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet, sear chicken thighs for 2–3 minutes per side until browned, then set aside.
Make sauce: In the same skillet, combine sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger. Simmer, then add cornstarch slurry. Cook until slightly thickened.
Bake: Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over, and bake for 20–25 minutes until cooked through.
Rest and serve: Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve with extra sauce and garnish with green onions or sesame seeds.