If you’re a fan of spicy food, there’s a good chance you’ve come across Chilli Garlic Chicken. This popular Asian dish is full of flavour, heat and aromatic goodness – the kind of meal that makes your taste buds dance and your mouth water with every bite. It’s a dish that combines the powerful punch of chilli with the rich depth of garlic, creating a bold and exciting experience on the plate.
What makes Chilli Garlic Chicken so appealing is its beautiful balance of savoury, spicy, and slightly sweet flavours. It’s often served as a main dish with steamed rice or noodles, but it also makes an irresistible appetiser when served dry, coated in a sticky, glossy sauce.
At the heart of this dish is, of course, the chicken – typically boneless pieces that are either stir-fried or lightly battered and fried until golden and crispy. Chicken is chosen not only for its mild flavour, which soaks up sauces beautifully, but also for its tender texture that works so well with the boldness of the accompanying ingredients.
The star ingredients – garlic and chilli – do more than just add heat. Garlic brings a warm, earthy flavour and a lovely aroma that fills the kitchen as soon as it hits the pan. It’s often chopped or minced finely, ensuring every bite has a bit of that signature garlicky kick. Meanwhile, the chillies – whether fresh red chillies, chilli paste, or dried flakes – are used to bring heat, but also to give the dish its vibrant red colour and a hint of smokiness.
To round out the flavour, soy sauce adds saltiness and umami, while vinegar or rice wine provides a sharp tang that cuts through the richness. A touch of sugar is usually added as well, creating that classic sweet-sour-spicy profile that Asian dishes are so loved for.
Bell peppers, spring onions, and sometimes even ginger are thrown in for extra colour, crunch, and depth of flavour. These ingredients not only add nutrition but also help balance the heat, making the dish more enjoyable to a wider range of palates.
Chilli Garlic Chicken is the kind of dish that is full of energy, warmth, and just the right amount of fire. Whether you enjoy it saucy or dry, mild or extra hot, it’s a celebration of Asian flavours at their best.
Chilli Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 500 g chicken boneless thigh or breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 1 tsp black pepper
- salt to taste
- Oil for frying
For the Sauce:
- 1 tbsp oil
- 8 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 3 medium dried red chillies broken into pieces
- 1 tbsp red chilli paste adjust to taste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vinegar white or rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- salt to taste
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 small red bell pepper or green chopped into chunks
- 2 medium spring onions chopped for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the chicken pieces with cornflour, plain flour, black pepper and a pinch of salt. Toss until the pieces are evenly coated.500 g chicken, 2 tbsp cornflour, 2 tbsp plain flour, 1 tsp black pepper, salt
- Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the chicken pieces on medium-high heat until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.Oil
- In a separate pan or wok, heat 1 tablespoon oil.1 tbsp oil
- Add chopped garlic and dried red chillies, and sauté until the garlic is fragrant and slightly golden.8 cloves garlic, 3 medium dried red chillies
- Stir in the chilli paste, soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, and water. Taste and add salt if needed. Mix well and bring to a simmer.1 tbsp red chilli paste, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp tomato ketchup, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tbsp water, salt
- Add diced onions and bell peppers (if using) and cook for 2–3 minutes for a bit of crunch.1 small onion, 1 small red bell pepper
- Then add the fried chicken pieces and toss everything together so the chicken is well coated with the sauce.
- Sprinkle the chilli garlic chicken with chopped spring onions and serve hot with rice or noodles.2 medium spring onions