Name: Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce; 1 tbsp Garlic And Ginger Paste; 1 tsp Sesame Oil; 1 tsp Sugar; 1 tsp White Pepper; 3 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce; 4 tbsp Honey; 1 tbsp Sriracha; 2 tbsp Lemon Juice; 300 g Chicken Breast; 100 g Cornflour (Add more if needed); 1 Egg White; 2 Spring Onions; Vegetable Oil

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 4 reviews

If you’ve ever craved Chinese takeaway at home, this Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine golden strips of chicken breast, impossibly crunchy yet tender inside, all coated in a glossy, sweet, tangy, and fiery sauce. Every bite bursts with flavor and texture, thanks to a punchy marinade and a sticky sauce that clings perfectly to each strip. Whether you’re looking to wow at dinner or just treat yourself to something special on a weeknight, this dish is the ultimate answer for crispy, saucy, homemade satisfaction!

Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about this recipe? The ingredients list is simple but every element serves a purpose—building layers of savoriness, crunch, color, and bold flavor. Here’s what you’ll need for the perfect Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe and how each contributes to the magic:

Chicken Breast: Lean and tender, it’s the perfect blank canvas that soaks up all the rich flavors while staying juicy after frying.
Cornflour: The secret to ultra-crispy coating; gives the chicken that signature restaurant crunch.
Garlic and Ginger Paste: Adds depth and aromatic punch, forming the backbone of both the marinade and the sauce.
Egg White: Helps the cornflour cling to every strip, ensuring the crust puffs up luxuriously when fried.
Spring Onions: Offer fresh color, delicate heat, and a finishing flourish to the final dish.
Vegetable Oil: Perfect for deep or shallow frying because it heats up quick and remains neutral in flavor.
Dark Soy Sauce: Provides a rich, deep umami that gives both marinade and sauce a gorgeous color and complexity.
Sesame Oil: Just a touch delivers a nutty aroma that makes the dish irresistible.
Sugar: Balances the heat and acidity, caramelizing slightly in the sticky sauce.
White Pepper: Brings subtle, earthy heat that’s classic in Chinese cooking, different from regular black pepper.
Honey: Lends stickiness and a natural sweetness that plays beautifully with spicy and sour notes in the sauce.
Sriracha: The essential spicy kick! Adjust for your own heat tolerance.
Lemon Juice: Cuts through the richness and adds a zingy freshness that brightens every mouthful.

How to Make Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Slice and Marinate the Chicken

Start by thinly slicing your chicken breast into slender strips. This not only ensures they cook quickly and evenly but also maximizes the surface area for all that incredible marinade to seep into. Toss the chicken with dark soy sauce, garlic and ginger paste, a drizzle of sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes—the longer the better! This marination time is where flavor-building begins.

Step 2: Mix the Stir Fry Sauce

While the chicken works its flavor magic, combine the stir fry sauce ingredients: dark soy sauce, sticky honey, sriracha for some fire, and a splash of zippy lemon juice. Stir it all together until smooth, and set it aside. This sauce transforms the crispy chicken from simple fried bites into full-on flavor bombs.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Crack an egg and whisk just the white into the marinated chicken—this helps the cornflour stick. Next, dredge the marinated strips in cornflour so they’re completely coated. If your chicken pieces start to clump together, separate and coat them individually for that perfect crisp texture later on. A little mess now is so worth it!

Step 4: Fry the Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in a wok or reliable frying pan to around 180°C. Fry the chicken strips in batches for 1 to 2 minutes, just until pale golden. Then, for that signature crunch of the Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe, fry them again for 2 to 3 minutes until irresistibly crispy and deep golden brown. Double-frying is the essential secret here—don’t skip it!

Step 5: Make the Chilli Sauce

In a clean pan, heat a splash of oil and quickly fry some garlic and ginger paste for five to ten seconds—just until fragrant. Now pour in your premixed sauce and let it bubble for about 30 seconds, stirring gently, until it slightly thickens and turns glossy. The enticing aromas will let you know it’s ready!

Step 6: Toss and Finish

Finally, add your hot, crispy chicken pieces to the bubbling sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat every piece—this is where the flavor party really happens! Finish with chopped spring onions for freshness and crunch. Serve this Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe immediately for the ultimate texture and flavor hit.

How to Serve Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

This dish shines with just a sprinkle of freshly chopped spring onions for a grassy, punchy crunch and vibrant color. For extra flair, scatter over thin slices of fresh red chilli or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds—both look beautiful and add another layer of flavor with zero fuss.

Side Dishes

The Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe absolutely loves some good company on the plate. Fluffy steamed jasmine rice or egg fried rice is a classic, letting every drop of sauce shine. For a fresh, balanced meal, serve it with simply stir-fried greens like pak choi or broccoli, or even tucked into a soft bao bun for a street-food vibe. This is a dish designed for sharing and having fun!

Creative Ways to Present

For a showstopping dinner, pile the crispy chicken high on a serving platter with extra spring onions and chillies scattered generously. Serve in individual bowls over rice for cozy comfort, or set out as a dazzling finger-food starter at a party with cocktail sticks. You can even use the sauce and chicken as a filling for lettuce wraps for a lighter option. However you choose, the Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe is ready for the spotlight.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow have leftovers, let the chicken cool completely before packing into an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to two days. While the chicken may lose a bit of its crunch after soaking up the sauce, the flavors become richer and deeper—leftovers can be a real treat!

Freezing

For best texture, freeze the fried chicken strips before tossing them in sauce. Lay them on a baking sheet so they don’t stick together, then freeze until solid before transferring to a container or bag. The sauce itself can be stored separately in a small tub. This way, when the craving strikes, you can re-crisp the chicken in the oven or air fryer, heat the sauce, and combine for near-fresh results.

Reheating

Spread the cold chicken out on a baking tray and reheat in a hot oven or air fryer at 200°C until piping hot and crispy again—typically 5 to 8 minutes. Warm the sauce gently on the hob or in the microwave, then toss together just before serving. This keeps that signature crunch alive for your next meal!

FAQs

Can I use thighs instead of breast in the Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will give you an even juicier result and stand up beautifully to the marinade and the double frying. Just slice them thin like the breasts and follow the rest of the recipe as written.

Can I make the Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe gluten free?

Yes, simply swap the dark soy sauce for a certified gluten free alternative and double-check that your cornflour is gluten free (most are, but always check the label). All other ingredients are naturally free from gluten.

Do I have to double fry the chicken?

Double frying really is the secret to lasting crispiness, especially once the chicken meets the sauce. If you only fry once, the coating may get soggy quickly. For best results, always go for that second quick fry—it’s worth the extra two minutes!

Is the Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe very spicy?

This dish has a lovely background warmth thanks to the sriracha, but it’s easily adjusted up or down to suit your family’s tastes. Add more sriracha or some chopped fresh chillies for extra heat, or reduce it for a milder, kid-friendly version.

Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?

You can bake the cornflour-coated chicken strips at 200°C for around 20 minutes, turning halfway. While the coating won’t be as shatteringly crisp as frying, it’s still delicious and a bit lighter, making it a good option for a healthier take on the Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe.

Final Thoughts

If you love takeout-style Chinese food but want to make it your own, there’s nothing more satisfying than making this Crispy Chilli Chicken Recipe from scratch. The aroma, sizzling sounds, and bold flavors are sure to win over anyone at the dinner table. Give it a try, make it your own, and enjoy restaurant-level deliciousness right at home!