Crispy Chilli Hen - Nicky's Kitchen Sanctuary

Crispy hen coated in a sticky, candy and barely spicy sauce. This crispy chilli hen is such an incredible Friday evening dinner, and it’s prepared in half-hour!

Chunks of Crispy Chilli Chicken coated in a sweet chilli sauce with sliced onions and chillies sizzling in a black wok.

Nicky’s Notes

A woman with long brown hair and a black top smiles at the camera, sitting indoors with a brick wall and some greenery in the background.

My complete household completely love this crispy chilli hen… presumably as a result of it’s noticeably low on greens…. but additionally as a result of it’s precisely the form of factor they’d all select on the takeaway.

Crispy chunks of hen, coated in a shiny, sticky sauce that’s candy, slightly bit spicy, and fully moreish… it’s a type of dinners that disappears quick.

Components for Crispy Chilli Hen

***Full recipe with detailed portions within the recipe card under***

Ingredients for Crispy Chilli Chicken laid out on a white background. Each ingredient is labelled, including: chopped chicken thigh, sliced onion, sauces, spices, egg, garlic, red chilli, ginger paste and cornflour.

Hen Thighs

Hen thighs work greatest on this recipe as they’re are higher at standing as much as excessive warmth cooking, while staying juicy. Nevertheless, you may change them with hen breast items if you happen to want.

Abbreviated Recipe

***Full recipe with detailed steps within the recipe card under***

Combine the hen with the egg, then coat within the cornflour and seasonings. Fry within the oil in a wok, working in 2 batches, then take away hen from the wok. Fry onion, then chilli, ginger and garlic, then add sauce elements. Enable to bubble, add hen again in to warmth by way of and serve.

Recipe Ideas

Working in two batches when frying the hen is essential, so the coating will get crispy.
It seems like a number of sugar, however this can be a sweet-spicy sauce. You may scale back the sugar or change some or all with a sugar different, simply make certain it’s heat-stable (appropriate for cooking).

A plate of crispy sweet chilli chicken with sliced spring onions, served with rice and chopsticks. A bowl of spring onions and a further plate of chilli chicken is in the background.

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What to serve it with

Make forward and Leftovers Information

This recipe works greatest when made and served immediately. Freezing/chilling then reheating means the hen gained’t be crispy.
Nevertheless, it does nonetheless style actually good. So if you happen to did wish to chill/freeze it, then cool, cowl and refrigerate/freeze. If frozen, defrost in a single day within the fridge and reheat completely within the wok or a microwave till piping sizzling all through. You may add a splash of water if it’s slightly dry.

Watch tips on how to make it

Place the hen items in a bowl and add the egg. Combine collectively to completely coat the hen within the egg.

750 g (1.65 lbs) skinless, boneless hen thigh fillets (trimmed), 1 egg
Add the cornflour, salt, pepper, and white pepper.

6 tbsp cornflour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp white pepper
Toss collectively to coat the hen. It will likely be a sticky combination.
Warmth 3 tbsp of the oil in a big frying pan (skillet) or wok over a excessive warmth till extremely popular.

4 tbsp oil
You’ll most likely have to work in two batches, so when the oil is sizzling, add in half the hen – a chunk at a time – and unfold it out.
Fry the hen till golden and crispy. Attempt to not transfer the meat round an excessive amount of as this reduces the quantity of crispiness you get. It typically takes about 5 or 6 minutes to crisp up the hen with about 3 or 4 stirs throughout that point.
Utilizing a slotted spoon or tongs, take away the hen from the pan and place in a bowl. Put to 1 facet.
Add an additional tablespoon of oil and repeat – cooking the second batch of hen after which putting within the bowl with the primary batch.
When you’ve eliminated all of the hen from the pan, add the remaining ½ tbsp of oil to the pan and switch the warmth right down to medium.

1/2 tbsp oil
Add within the sliced onion and prepare dinner for two minutes till barely softened.

1 medium onion
Add within the finely chopped chilli, minced ginger, and minced cloves of garlic and prepare dinner while stirring for 30 seconds.

1 purple chilli, 1 tsp minced ginger, 3 garlic cloves
Add the rice vinegar, soy sauce, tomato puree, sugar, tomato ketchup, and candy chilli sauce to the pan.

2 tbsp rice vinegar, 3 tbsp soy sauce – mild or all-purpose, 2 tbsp tomato puree , 6 tbsp caster sugar, 2 tbsp tomato ketchup, 2 tbsp candy chilli sauce
Stir all of it collectively and switch up the warmth and let it bubble for a few minutes till the sauce begins to cut back slightly.
Add the hen again in, give it a stir and warmth by way of for 1-2 minutes – till the hen is sizzling.
Serve with rice or noodles.

Can I freeze it or make it forward?

This recipe works greatest when made and served immediately. Freezing/chilling then reheating means the hen gained’t be crispy.
Nevertheless, it does nonetheless style actually good. So if you happen to did wish to freeze it, then cool, cowl and freeze. Defrost in a single day within the fridge and reheat completely within the wok or a microwave till piping sizzling all through. You may add a splash of water if it’s slightly dry.
Ingredient swaps/additions
Swap out the hen thighs for breast if you happen to want.
If you wish to make a beef/steak model, use my crispy chilli beef recipe.
Add thinly sliced bell peppers, mange tout, snap peas or small items of chopped broccoli, if you wish to add some greens. Add them as the identical time because the onion.
Cooking for two?
You may halve a lot of the elements, however might want to make a few changes:

Egg – evenly whisk the egg and discard half of it earlier than including to the hen.
Use 1 small onion (or half a medium onion)
Use a small purple chilli (or half of a daily one)

Cook dinner as per the common directions, however it is possible for you to to prepare dinner the hen in a single batch, as an alternative of two.
Dietary info is per serving and doesn’t embrace rice or garnishes

Diet info is routinely calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

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Among the hyperlinks on this put up could also be affiliate hyperlinks – which implies if you happen to purchase the product I get a small fee (at no additional price to you). In case you do purchase, then thanks! That’s what helps us to maintain Kitchen Sanctuary operating. The dietary info supplied is approximate and might differ relying on a number of elements. For extra info please see our Terms & Conditions.

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