Sweet Chili Chicken is sweet and spicy with flavors of garlic, fresh ginger, soy, and sweet chili sauce. This our go-to chicken marinade, making chicken tender, juicy and so flavorful.
This marinade is full of flavor and perfect for grilling or baking! Easy to make with only a few ingredients – perfect for easy weeknight dinners and backyard barbecues!
We love grilled chicken. The ingredients are easy to find and it’s such a flavorful chicken marinade recipe! And, who doesn’t love quick and easy meals for the summer?!
Be sure and try my other marinade recipes Brown Sugar Chicken Marinade, Best Steak Marinade, and Easy chicken marinade.
Why this recipe works
- Made with simple ingredients – Most of the ingredients are likely in your pantry and fridge or readily available at most grocery stores.
- Use any cut of chicken – This recipe works with boneless chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken tenders or cutlets.
- A healthier chicken marinade – Uses simple ingredients, corn oil and no added sugar, it’s great for making healthier meals.
- Flavorful – Adds so much flavor to boneless chicken and makes it incredibly juicy!
- Versatile – Grilled chicken is delicious served with baked beans, Southern potato salad and seasonal vegetables. We save leftovers and use it for wraps, salads and sandwiches.
What you’ll need
- Chicken – Boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded to make an even thickness, tenderloins or chicken thighs.
- Oil – Corn oil has a smoke point higher than most cooking oils at 450°F and performs well in a variety of cooking applications. We prefer corn oil, but use whatever type of oil you prefer.
- Apple cider vinegar – Gives the marinade a sweet and tangy flavor.
- Soy sauce – Ands a touch of zing. We prefer low-sodium.
- Sweet chili sauce – Locate near the sauces in your favorite grocer.
- Garlic & ginger – Fresh garlic cloves and ginger is best.
- Lime juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice is the best, but use any type of citrus you prefer. Oranges are a great substitution.
- Salt & pepper – Be careful not to add too much salt, since soy sauce is very salty.
Grilled chicken is perfect for backyard barbecues, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and other easy family dinners. This marinade is great for chicken breasts, drumsticks or chicken thighs.
How to make Sweet chili chicken marinade
- Prep the chicken – Place chicken breasts, one at a time in a gallon zip-style bag. Gently use a wooden rolling pin or a meat tenderizer to flatten the chicken slightly and make it even thickness. (about ½ to ¾-inch thick) This helps chicken breasts cook evenly and tenderizes the chicken.
- Mix ingredients – Place all of the chicken marinade ingredients into a large freezer zip-style bag and press the outside of the bag with your fingers to combine.
- Add chicken & refrigerate – Be sure all the chicken is well coated with the marinade. Press the air out of the bag and seal. Refrigerate for a minimum of two hours and up to 24 hours. (Lay the chicken on a clean dry paper towel or kitchen cloth in case it accidently leaks in the fridge!)
The charcoal grill helps provide such wonderful flavors with everything we grill. But, we also have a gas grill for busier nights.
Corn oil has a smoke point higher than most cooking oils at 450°F and performs well in a variety of cooking applications. Many home cooks may not realize that all cooking oils have a smoke point that, once exceeded, not only negatively affect the food’s flavor and nutritional value.
More easy grilling recipes
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Sweet Chili Chicken
Ingredients
Sweet Chili Chicken Marinade
- 2-3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup sweet chili sauce
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons corn oil
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Sweet Chili Chicken
- In a large zip-style bag add the marinade ingredients and push around on the outside of the bag with your fingers to combine.
- Lightly flatten the chicken by placing one piece at a time inside a plastic bag or between two pieces of plastic wrap. Use a wooden rolling pin or a meat tenderizer to flatten the chicken slightly and make it even thickness.
- Place each piece of flattened chicken into the marinade. Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
- Preheat your gas grill to medium to high heat. If using a charcoal grill, pile charcoal bricks in the center of the bottom of the grill in a pile. Use lighter fluid to get them going. Wait until the flames are gone to spread the heated charcoal bricks out evenly in the grill.
- Grill the chicken over medium to high heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side. Turn occasionally with tongs. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken while it cooks. Cook until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees F.
- Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Enjoy with fresh, seasonal vegetables.
Nutrition
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Shannon says
Great recipe my family loved it!! But… it says prep time is 15 minutes. The recipe calls for a minimum of 2 hours to marinate. If I had not planned ahead, I would not have had the time to marinate the chicken.
Julian says
Omg so delicious, I used the oven instead and save all the juices. Made a sauce from it with the juices, cream fresh, soy, Thai sweet chilli and a touch of red wine and really complimented the chicken.
5/5 recipe!
Jessica Robinson says
Hey Julian,
Thank you so much! Thrilled to hear you loved the marinade.
I’ve cooked it in the oven too. So darn delicious. You can save a little of the marinade and thicken it on the stovetop if necessary with a cornstarch slurry too.
Sharon Rush says
Love this recipe so much I’m making it again and invited my friend over. It has so much flavor and the chicken is so moist. Best marinade for chicken.
Jessica Robinson says
Sharon,
We’re thrilled to hear you loved the chicken marinade. It’s one of our family’s favorites too!!! It is also delicious baked.
Kathy says
the lime juice didn’t “cook” the chicken too much? how many hours did you marinate your chicken?
Jessica Robinson says
Not sure what you mean by the lime juice didn’t “cook” the chicken too much?? We marinade at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
Sharon Rush says
Could you use this recipe on pork chops.
Jessica Robinson says
You absolutely can use this with pork chops!
Susan says
Hi Jessica – this recipe sounds yummy ! Excited to try it ! Can I cook it in the oven ? If so , what temp and how long ? Thx
Jessica Robinson says
Hello Susan,
Thanks for stopping by!!
You could certainly cook these in the oven or grill on the stovetop in a grill pan. I would perhaps use a cast iron skillet in the oven or line a half sheet pan with aluminum foil. I’d likely suggest about 400 degrees, cook until your chicken is done all the way.
JjnAZ says
Awesome recipe! Our sweet chili sauce has disappeared. Is there one you recommend? Love so many of your recipes. Many many thanks
Jessica Robinson says
Honestly any brands will work. We even used Food Lion store brand and loved it. You can add more spice if needed for more heat.
Jeffrey Thompson says
This recipe is awesome. Quick and easy. I’ve made it twice now, the second time I added a tablespoon of hot chili oil. Also I kept some marinade separate before adding the chicken and heated it up to spoon on the plated chicken.
Thank again!
Jessica Robinson says
So happy to hear that!! LOVE that you easily adjusted the heat with hot chili oil. Thank you for taking the time to let us know!