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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David says
Really good marinade. I used chicken thighs though so they wouldn’t dry out. I’ll be making this again. Thanks!
Jessica Robinson says
Hello David!
So glad to hear you used this chicken marinade on chicken thighs and loved it! As long as you don’t overcook the chicken, boneless skinless chicken works too. Thanks for taking the time to let us know!
Audrey says
I’ve had this pinned along with many other marinades. Many labeled “The Best” only to find they did not live up to the title and at best were just okay. I finally tried this last night. It was outstanding! Chicken was moist inside, flavors blended wonderfully without one overtaking another. I used a grill pan but will definitely be grilling them this summer. I usually serve grilled chicken breast over a salad, so I have tried many marinades. This one is hands down the best!
Jessica Robinson says
Audrey,
That is so incredible to hear!! If you like this one, be sure and try my brown sugar mustard chicken marinade. One of our go-to’s for grilling chicken. Keeps chicken super moist and so flavorful! Thanks for letting us know you loved this recipe!
C says
How spicy is the chicken? For anyone that does not like spice, should I use half the amount of chili sauce?
Jessica Robinson says
This chicken is not overly spicy. I would make it as directed and then add more spice should you want more.
Jillisa says
I made this for the first time last weekend. The chicken was so flavorful and tender, and the marinade is super easy to put together. Everyone loved it!
Jessica Robinson says
So happy to hear everyone enjoyed it!
Jim says
I’ve tried alot of recipes for chicken and this one is going to be my number one go to recipe for chicken from now on. Great job.
Jessica Robinson says
Jim,
Thanks so much! Glad to hear you are adding this recipe to your rotation!
Joni says
I have never left a comment on someone’s recipe before but i felt compelled to write one for this recipe as it was amazing!! I am an avid cook and baker and have tried many sauces, but this one tops them all! Will be directing friends and family to your site for this recipe and checking out some of your other ones. Great job!!
Jessica Robinson says
Thanks so much Joni!! So happy to hear you loved this chicken! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! Greatly appreciated!
Brenda says
Yes can this recipe be smoked on a smoker and if so please provide instructions
Jessica Robinson says
Brenda,
Yes, you can certainly smoke this. You could smoke at 200 degrees until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees. Please let me know if you have other questions.
Crissy says
This was delicious, I only had time to marinate for an hour and cooked the chicken in a cast iron pan! Very good!
Fatemah Nikchehi says
My picky family loves the way the chicken tastes with this marinade. A family go-to recipe. Thank you
Jessica Robinson says
Fatemah,
So glad to hear that they loved this chicken marinade!
Heidi says
Awesome! Great marinade! New family favorite 🙂
Jessica Robinson says
Heidi,
Glad to hear that you loved it!
Michele Sanchez says
This looks really good, but would it work well with a while chicken as well as pieces?
Jessica Robinson says
Michele!
you absolutely can use whole chicken, chicken thighs, chicken pieces, anything you want.
Judy montgomery says
Is the sweet chili sauce an Asian sauce ? If not what department in the store can I find it ?
Thx, judy
Jessica Robinson says
Yes, it’s a sauce in a bottle. It’s down the aisle with all the ethnic items.
Jenny says
This looks really good and I can’t wait to try it. However, since when is corn oil a lighter, more heart-healthy option than extra virgin olive oil?
Jessica Robinson says
Jenny,
Glad to hear you’ll be trying this one! There has been studies that help support corn oil is a better option than Extra virgin olive oil.
Kathy says
Also, avocado oil is a great oil with a high smoke point.
Jessica Robinson says
That’s a great option too.
Liz says
What sweet chili sauce do you use?
Jessica Robinson says
Hi Liz,
You can really use whatever brand you prefer. Honestly, I love the store brand in Food Lion. Often times, store-brands are made in the same factory as the name brands!
Laura Reigel says
Yum! I need to make this before summer ends!!!