Easy 30-Minute Crispy Chilli Chicken

This post may contain affiliate links.

This easy chilli chicken recipe is a fusion of vibrant Indo-Chinese flavours. A crispy, flavourful chicken recipe that will become a new family favourite. Whether you love a fiery kick or prefer a milder taste, this recipe is flexible and can be tailored to your preferences. Ready in only 30 minutes this recipe's best features include a crispy texture and a rich, flavorful sauce that everyone will love and anyone can make.

Crispy chilli chicken on a bed of rice with limes and chopped peanuts.

If you're interested in exploring more Asian-inspired recipes, don't miss our popular recipes for crispy chilli beef and 15-minute bang bang noodles. And if you love a sweet and spice mix, then our honey chilli chicken is just the recipe that you need.

Jump to:

⭐️ Why You'll Love This Chilli Chicken

  • Easy to Prepare: Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
  • Customizable Spice Level: Adjust to your preferred level of heat.
  • Versatile: Serve as an appetizer or main dish.
  • Full of Flavour: The blend of spices and sauces creates a rich and tangy flavour that's irresistible.

🧾 Ingredients

Ingredients for cooking chilli chicken.
  • Chicken: The protein-packed main ingredient that can be grilled, deep-fried, or shallow-fried.
  • Soya Sauce, Chili Sauce, Pepper: Marinating with these adds depth and tanginess.
  • Cornflour and Plain Flour: Essential for coating the chicken and providing crispiness.
  • Bell Peppers, Green Chilies, Spring Onion: Add a crunch and vibrant colour to the dish.
  • Ginger, Garlic: These build the base flavour of the sauce.
  • Vinegar, Sugar: For balancing the heat and adding a slight sweetness to the sauce.

See recipe card for quantities.

📖 Substitutions & Variations

  • Vegetarian Alternatives: Easily replace chicken with paneer, mushroom, potato, or tofu.
  • Gravy Version: Add cornstarch slurry and extra soya sauce for a saucier finish.

👩🏻‍🍳 Step By Step

Marinating chicken for chilli chicken.
Garlic being sauteed for chilli chicken.
  • Preparation: Optionally brine the chicken or follow instructions with egg white. Cube vegetables, slice chicken, and prepare the flour mixture.
  • Marinate the Chicken: With soya sauce, chilli sauce, and pepper. Add Cornflour and Plain Flour for coating. Use egg white as needed for binding.
  • Fry the Chicken: Deep or shallow fry until golden; alternatively, you can grill in a preheated oven for a healthier option.
Chilli sauce for crispy chilli chicken in a blue bowl.
Crispy chicken coated in chilli sauce.
  • Prepare the Sauce: Mix vinegar, sugar, water, oil, onion, garlic, bell pepper, green chillies, and spring onion. Saute well for best results.
  • Season the Chilli Chicken: Sauté garlic and other ingredients, add sauce and fried chicken. Garnish and serve hot as an appetizer or with fried rice or noodles. Consider Kashmiri chilli powder, paprika, and Ching's Secret schezwan chutney for enhanced flavours.

Quick Tips:

  • For extra crisp chicken, refry in hot oil.
  • Adjust spice levels with different types of chilli powder.

💡 Top Tips to Make Perfect Chilli Chicken

  • Keeping Ingredients Ready: Prep all ingredients beforehand to make the cooking process smooth.
  • Adjusting Spice Level: Customize the heat by adjusting the amount and type of chili used.
  • Cooking Method for Crispy Texture: Follow the frying instructions closely, or use an air fryer for the same crispy texture with less oil.

🍯 Storage

  • Fridge
    • Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer
    • Best enjoyed fresh; can be frozen for up to a month. Maintain texture by reheating on the stovetop.
  • Reheat
    • Reheat in a pan or microwave until hot, taking care to retain the crispiness of the chicken.

❓FAQ

Can I use another type of meat instead of chicken?

Yes, you can substitute chicken with other proteins like tofu, shrimp, or paneer. The cooking time may vary depending on the substitute.

What can I use instead of deep-frying the chicken?

For a healthier option, you can shallow fry, grill, or air fry the chicken. The texture will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.

Can I make the sauce less spicy?

Absolutely! You can adjust the spice level by reducing the quantity of chili sauce or using a milder chili powder. Taste as you go to ensure it suits your preference.

What are some good side dishes to serve with Chilli Chicken?

Chilli Chicken pairs well with fried rice, noodles, or steamed jasmine rice. For a more complete meal, consider adding a side of steamed or sautéed vegetables.

More Asian Favourites

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

If you tried this  Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you. Also, please leave a star rating whilst you're there!

You can also follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram and join our private Facebook Group Facebook group to share more recipe ideas and all your photos!

Need help with meal planning? You can find our (Aldi ingredients only) weekly meal plans here! Sign up to receive them free every week or take our quick meal planning course and use all these recipes to create your own meal plans. 

You can also find more comfort food recipes using everyday ingredients over on our sister site Salted Mint.

Easy Crispy Chilli Chicken

Easy crispy chilli chicken! A saucy Asian dream of a dinner to serve over rice or noodles. It's quick and easy and all from Aldi!
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients

Marinade

  • 500 g (1 lb) chicken
  • 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) corn starch
  • 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) soy sauce

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons (3 tablespoons) honey
  • 3 tablespoons (3 tablespoons) Sriracha
  • 2 teaspoons (2 teaspoons) soy sauce
  • juice of 1 lime

For cooking the chicken

  • 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) ginger
  • 2 cloves (2 cloves) garlic
  • 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) olive oil

For serving

  • spring onions
  • red chilli slices
  • chopped coriander
  • cashews

Instructions

Marinating the chicken

  • In a medium bowl whisk 2 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Toss in the chicken and mix well to coat the chicken. Marinate for 20 minutes.

Makin the sauce

  • To make the sauce: whisk all the ingredients together and set aside.

Cooking the chicken

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add, the chicken and cook, tossing 1-2 times, until it becomes crispy, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, and ginger, cook another 2-3 minutes. Pour in the sauce and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken, about 5 minutes. Stir in the, chopped cashews and green onions, cook another 2 minutes.

For serving

  • Serve the chicken over bowls of rice. Top with additional green onions, cashews and chilli peppers.

Notes

  • This chicken is perfect for leftovers.
  • Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. You can freeze this chicken with the rice as one dinner and defrost and/or microwave. These are perfect as a solo dinner.
  • And these freezer containers are perfect!
  • Nutritional info provided is for chicken only. Does not include rice or noodles.

Nutrition

Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 985mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
Loved this recipe?Check out @savvy.bites for more! Did You Make This Recipe? Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!

Similar Recipes You Might Like

5 from 9 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




16 Comments

    1. Some noodles tossed with a splash of sesame oil are great if you need carbs, but if you'd like a no-carb option, then steamed broccoli or bok choi would be great options.

  1. Hi is the soy sauce tablespoons or teaspoons. The ingredients are teaspoons and the instructions are tablespoons. Thanks

    1. Hi Tracey. You need 2 tablespoons of soy sauce for the marinade, which gets discarded, then 2 teaspoons of soy sauce for the actual sauce. I've just broken down the headings in the recipe so hopefully, it's more clear. 🙂

        1. So happy you love this recipe! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. It's very appreciated! 🙂

    1. Ellen! You've made my day! So happy you loved it. And thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment and a rating. It's so appreciated!

    1. So happy you loved it, Mark! And thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and a rating. It's so appreciated!