Description
Sticky Sweet Chili Garlic Chicken Penne is a delightful pasta dish that combines tender chicken with a sticky, sweet chili garlic sauce. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions, taking just 30 minutes from prep to plate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds, optional (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a bit of pasta water.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden and cooked through.
- Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger once the chicken is browned. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- In a small bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and honey. Pour the mixture into the skillet with the chicken. Stir to coat everything evenly and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss well to combine. If the sticky sweet chili garlic sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it slightly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle sliced green onions on top and add sesame seeds for garnish. Serve hot and enjoy every sticky, sweet, and garlicky bite.
Notes
- Marinating your chicken for at least 15 minutes enhances its flavor and tenderness.
- Ensure you cook the penne al dente; it will continue cooking once combined with the sauce.
- If the sticky sweet chili garlic sauce is too thick, adding reserved pasta water can help achieve the perfect texture.
- Be mindful not to burn garlic when adding it to the skillet; burnt garlic can impart an unpleasant bitterness.
- If you enjoy heat, consider adding red pepper flakes or extra chili sauce for more kick.
- For best flavor and texture, serve this sticky sweet chili garlic chicken penne dish right after it’s prepared.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, or on the stovetop on low heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (300g)
- Calories: 482
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 90mg