The Sizzling Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe Everyone Loves

Chefs everywhere are obsessing over this crispy chilli chicken that promises to revolutionize your dinner routine.

Culinary magic happens when simple ingredients combine with bold flavors.

Crunchy exterior meets tender meat in a dance of spectacular seasoning.

Spice levels can be adjusted to match personal preferences without compromising texture.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance between heat and crispiness that makes taste buds sing.

Succulent chicken pieces coated in a vibrant, zesty sauce will instantly become your new comfort food.

Prepare to experience a dish that transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

FAQs

• Why is cornstarch important in this recipe?

Cornstarch helps create a crispy exterior on the chicken by absorbing moisture and forming a protective layer that turns golden and crunchy when fried.

• Can I make this dish less spicy?

Reduce the amount of red chillies and chilli sauce to lower the heat level, or substitute with mild chilli varieties for a milder flavor.

• How do I ensure the chicken stays crispy after adding sauce?

Pat the fried chicken pieces dry before tossing in sauce, and add sauce just before serving to maintain the crispy texture.

• What's the purpose of the cornstarch slurry in the sauce?

The cornstarch slurry helps thicken the sauce, giving it a glossy, smooth consistency that clings perfectly to the chicken pieces.

Crispy Chilli Chicken That’s Packed with Flavor

• Elevate Weeknight Dinners: Transform ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality meal that impresses family and friends with minimal cooking skills.
• Quick Flavor Explosion: Achieve a perfect balance of crispy texture and spicy-sweet sauce that delivers maximum taste in every single bite.
• Customizable Spice Adventure: Easily adjust heat levels by changing the number of red chillies, making it adaptable for different taste preferences and spice tolerances.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Creates a delicious dish that appeals to both kids and adults, perfect for casual gatherings or family meals where everyone craves something exciting and satisfying.

Ingredients for Crispy Chilli Chicken

• Chicken: Tender protein that forms the base of this crispy and flavorful dish.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a light and crispy coating for the chicken.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides additional texture and crunch to the chicken coating.

• Baking Powder, Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Paprika: Seasoning blend that adds depth and flavor to the chicken coating.
• Eggs: Helps the flour mixture adhere to the chicken pieces.

• Vegetable Oil, Onions, Bell Peppers, Garlic, Red Chillies, Ginger: Aromatic base that builds the foundation of the sauce.
• Soy Sauce, Vinegar, Tomato Ketchup, Chilli Sauce, Honey or Sugar: Combination of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors that create a complex sauce.
• Chicken Broth or Water: Provides liquid for the sauce and helps in simmering.
• Cornstarch Slurry: Thickens the sauce to a perfect consistency.

• Green Onions, Fresh Cilantro: Adds freshness and a pop of color to the final dish.

How to Make Crispy Chilli Chicken Step-by-Step

Step 1: Whip Up Flavor-Packed Coating

• Cornstarch
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika

Blend everything thoroughly in a mixing bowl to ensure even distribution of spices.

Step 2: Dunk and Coat Chicken

Prepare two separate stations.

First, dip chicken pieces into beaten eggs, ensuring complete coverage.

Next, roll the egg-coated chicken in the prepared dry mixture, pressing gently to help the coating stick perfectly.

Step 3: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat oil in a deep pan until it reaches 350°F.

Carefully lower chicken pieces into hot oil, frying until they turn a beautiful golden brown and become wonderfully crispy.

Transfer fried chicken to paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Create Aromatic Vegetable Base

• Onions
• Bell peppers

Cook until vegetables become soft and slightly translucent, releasing their sweet flavors.

Step 5: Build Complex Flavor Profile

• Minced garlic
• Chopped red chillies
• Grated ginger

Cook for an additional minute to intensify the aromatics and release their essential oils.

Step 6: Craft Tangy Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Vinegar
• Tomato ketchup
• Chilli sauce
• Honey

Stir to combine and develop a rich, complex flavor profile.

Step 7: Simmer and Thicken

Pour in chicken broth or water and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

This helps meld the flavors together.

Step 8: Create Silky Sauce Texture

Prepare a cornstarch slurry and pour into the simmering sauce.

Cook until the sauce reaches a glossy, thick consistency that clings beautifully to the chicken.

Step 9: Coat Chicken in Sauce

Gently toss the crispy fried chicken pieces in the prepared sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly and evenly coated.

Step 10: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and cilantro over the chicken.

Serve immediately while hot and crispy, creating a stunning dish that’s bursting with flavor and texture.

Pro Tips for Perfectly Crispy and Spicy Chilli Chicken

• Mix dry ingredients thoroughly before coating chicken to ensure even, crispy breading that locks in flavor and creates a perfect golden crunch.
• Use a thermometer to maintain 350-375°F for frying, preventing soggy or burned chicken and achieving that restaurant-quality crisp exterior.
• Adjust sweet and spicy elements by modifying chilli sauce and honey quantities to suit personal taste preferences without losing the dish's signature kick.
• Replace all-purpose flour with rice flour or gluten-free blend to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities while maintaining excellent texture.
• Prepare breaded chicken pieces in advance and refrigerate, then fry just before serving to save time and maintain maximum crispiness during meal preparation.

Variations to Try with Crispy Chilli Chicken

• Vegan Crispy Tofu Chilli: Replace chicken with firm tofu, press and cut into cubes. Use cornstarch and plant-based egg substitute for coating. Follow original frying and sauce techniques for a vegetarian version.
• Gluten-Free Spicy Chicken: Swap all-purpose flour with rice flour or gluten-free blend. Use tamari instead of soy sauce. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly preparation.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Chilli Bites: Substitute chicken with cauliflower florets. Use almond flour instead of cornstarch. Reduce honey and use sugar-free sweetener for keto-friendly option.

Serving Suggestions for Crispy Chilli Chicken

• Flavor Explosion Plate: Serve over steamed jasmine rice to soak up the delicious spicy sauce and create a complete meal.
• Restaurant-Style Presentation: Arrange crispy chicken on a white platter, drizzle extra sauce around edges, and sprinkle vibrant green onions for a professional touch.
• Healthy Side Companions: Pair with quick cucumber salad or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli and carrots to balance the rich, spicy chicken and add nutritional value.
• Crowd-Pleasing Combo: Offer warm naan bread or crispy egg rolls on the side for guests to enjoy additional textures and soak up the flavorful sauce.

Storage Advice for Crispy Chilli Chicken

• Seal leftover crispy chilli chicken in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the sauce and chicken separate to maintain crispiness.
• Pack chicken and sauce in separate freezer-safe containers, label with date, and freeze for maximum 2 months to preserve flavor and texture.
• Preheat oven to 375°F, place chicken on baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through, restoring some crispiness.
• Warm chicken in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat, stirring gently for 5-7 minutes, adding a splash of sauce to prevent dryness and refresh flavors.

Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy chilli chicken emerges as a delightful fusion of Chinese and Indian culinary traditions. Spicy, crunchy pieces of chicken tantalize taste buds with complex layers of flavor. Diners love the balanced heat and textural contrast.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Dry Coating:

• 1 cup (120 grams) cornstarch
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs, beaten
• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)

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Instructions

1. Craft a zesty seasoning blend using cornstarch, flour, baking powder, and aromatic spices to create a flavorful coating for the chicken.
2. Dredge chicken pieces through whisked eggs, then meticulously enrobe with the spiced flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Heat oil to 350°F in a deep skillet, carefully frying chicken until achieving a golden, crisp exterior, approximately 4-5 minutes per batch.
4. Transfer crispy chicken to a paper towel-lined plate, allowing excess oil to drain and maintaining crunchiness.
5. In a separate wok, sauté sliced onions and bell peppers over medium-high heat until they become translucent and slightly caramelized.
6. Introduce minced garlic, fiery red chillies, and freshly grated ginger, releasing their intense aromatics for one minute.
7. Pour in a vibrant sauce mixture combining soy sauce, tangy vinegar, tomato ketchup, spicy chilli sauce, and sweet honey.
8. Incorporate chicken broth, bringing the sauce to a gentle simmer and developing complex flavor layers.
9. Create a cornstarch slurry and integrate into the sauce, stirring continuously until achieving a glossy, thick consistency.
10. Gently fold the crisp chicken pieces into the sauce, ensuring each morsel is luxuriously coated.
11. Elevate the dish by sprinkling freshly chopped green onions and cilantro, serving immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Enhance crispiness by double-coating chicken through dipping in egg wash and flour mixture twice for extra crunchy texture.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350-375°F while frying to prevent soggy or burnt chicken pieces.
• Substitute gluten-free flour and tamari sauce for a celiac-friendly version without compromising taste and texture.
• Balance heat levels by adjusting red chili quantity according to personal spice tolerance, using mild or hot peppers strategically.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 430 kcal
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg