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Healthy Sweet Chili Chicken Bites

Healthy Sweet Chili Chicken Bites - featured image

These Healthy Sweet Chili Chicken Bites are juicy, crispy, and coated in a sticky-sweet, slightly spicy glaze, finished with loads of fresh herbs. Ready in just 30 minutes, they’re perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste (about 1/2 tsp each)
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  • 23 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (or coconut aminos for gluten-free)
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp lime juice (from 1 lime)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped (optional)
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Red chili flakes or thinly sliced fresh red chili (optional, for extra heat)

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Season chicken with salt and black pepper.
  3. Toss chicken pieces in a mixing bowl with cornstarch or arrowroot powder until evenly coated. Shake off excess.
  4. Heat olive or avocado oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Add chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and cook 2-3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165Β°F). Total cook time: 8-10 minutes.
  6. For baking: Arrange chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet, mist with oil, and bake at 425Β°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway.
  7. While chicken cooks, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce or tamari, grated ginger, minced garlic, and lime juice in a small bowl. For a thicker glaze, simmer in a saucepan for 2-3 minutes.
  8. Return all chicken to skillet (or a clean bowl), pour glaze over, and toss to coat. Heat 1-2 minutes until glaze is bubbling and thick.
  9. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro, mint, basil, and green onions. Toss gently to combine.
  10. Optional: Add red chili flakes or fresh chili for extra heat.
  11. Serve immediately, garnished with extra herbs and lime wedges if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos and arrowroot or almond flour. Don’t overcrowd the pan for best crispiness. Add extra veggies like bell peppers or broccoli for variety. Fresh herbs should be added at the end for maximum flavor. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet chili chicken, healthy chicken bites, easy dinner, weeknight meal, meal prep, Asian chicken, gluten-free option, quick chicken recipe