Chili Crisp Chicken

Keep dinner simple with this easy Chili Crisp Chicken. Thin chicken cutlets soak in a three-ingredient chili crisp marinade, then cook quickly in a skillet for spicy, sticky chicken that is perfect over rice.

Chili Crisp Chicken on rice with broccoli

Flavor: Chili crisp adds a spicy, garlicky crunch that clings to the chicken, while honey and soy provide a balance of salty, sweet, and spicy in every bite.
Skill Level: This four-step recipe is easy to make and cooks in one pan.
Recommended Tools: An instant-read thermometer is the best way to tell when chicken is done. It should read 165°F at the thickest part of the meat.
Make Ahead Tip: Cook an extra batch and enjoy it hot or cold all week long; as it chills, the flavors will blend even more!

chicken , chili crisp , soy sauce , honey , sesame seeds , green onion with labels to make Chili Crisp Chicken

Chili Crisp Chicken Ingredients

Chili Crisp: Don’t confuse chili crisp with sambal or sriracha. Chili crisp is crunchy, savory, and spicy, and a little bit goes a long way. You can swap it for chili oil or paste, but chili crisp has more crunchy bits, including fried onions, scallions, or shallots.
Chicken: Cutlets are the easiest to use, but you can slice chicken breasts into cutlets.
Sauce: Honey balances the heat; swap it for maple syrup in a pinch. Soy sauce provides depth and color. Use regular or low-sodium, or swap it for tamari or coconut aminos. Like it extra spicy? Add extra red chili flakes, some chopped jalapenos, or a little spoonful of sambal oelek or Rooster sauce (AKA sriracha).
Variations: Toss in a bag of frozen mixed vegetables, chopped spinach, kale, sliced bell peppers, or shredded Brussels sprouts with the chicken in Step 4 to round out the meal.

adding chili crisp to chicken to make Chili Crisp Chicken

Simple Sidekicks

Storing and Saving

Keep leftover chili crisp chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze portions in zippered bags up to a month and thaw in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Enjoy leftovers cold over an Asian slaw for an energizing workday lunch, or reheat portions by popping them in the air fryer or under the broiler to make the pieces crispy again.

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Chill Time 15 minutes

Total Time 37 minutes

In a mixing bowl, whisk together chili crisp, honey, and soy sauce.
Add the chicken and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side or until cooked through.
Remove from heat and drizzle with additional chili crisp. Top with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

If using chicken breasts, slice each one in half horizontally to create cutlets. Place between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness, about ½ inch.
This dish is great served over steamed white rice.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Chicken, Dinner, Entree, Main Course

Cuisine American, Asian

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