Crispy Sweet Chili Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry

This Sweet Chili Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry is an easy and flavorful meal made with crispy chicken thighs, tender green beans, and colorful bell peppers. Everything is tossed in sweet chili sauce with garlic, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper for the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. This simple stovetop chicken stir-fry is a delicious choice for lunch or dinner and comes together in just 40 minutes!

Why You’ll Love Sweet Chili Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry

• Crispy, juicy chicken – Chicken thighs stay juicy on the inside while the cornstarch coating helps them get deliciously crispy and golden. Cooking the chicken in batches gives each piece plenty of room to brown. Every bite has a satisfying texture. It’s especially tasty coated in the sweet chili sauce.
• Sweet and spicy flavor – Sweet chili sauce gives this stir fry its delicious combination of sweetness and heat. Crushed red pepper adds an extra spicy kick. Garlic and sesame oil bring even more flavor to the dish. You can enjoy all these flavors together in every bite.
• Packed with vegetables – Green beans and bell peppers add plenty of color and texture to this chicken stir fry. The peppers can be cooked until they’re as soft or tender as you like. The green beans taste delicious coated in the sweet chili sauce. It’s an easy way to combine chicken and vegetables in one meal.
• Easy stovetop dinner – Everything is cooked in a skillet or wok, making this a simple recipe for lunch or dinner. Once the chicken is crispy, the vegetables cook right in the same pan. Then everything gets mixed together with the sauce. The whole recipe takes just 40 minutes from start to finish.
• Easy to customize – You can use fresh, frozen, steamed, or canned green beans for this recipe. This makes it easy to work with what you already have available. You can also adjust the tenderness of the bell peppers to your preference. The optional ginger can be added when you want even more flavor.

Ingredients For Sweet Chili Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs – Cut into cubes for bite-sized pieces of chicken that cook up juicy and crispy.
• Cornstarch – Coats the chicken before cooking and helps create that delicious crispy exterior.
• Vegetable oil – Used to coat and pan-fry the chicken until golden and crispy.
• Bell peppers – Add color, texture, and extra flavor to the stir fry.
• Green beans – Steamed green beans make this recipe quick and easy. Fresh, frozen, or canned green beans can also be used.
• Garlic – Minced garlic adds plenty of savory flavor to the chicken and vegetables.
• Ginger – An optional ingredient that adds another layer of flavor to the stir fry.
• Garlic powder – Seasons the chicken before it is coated and cooked.
• Crushed red pepper – Adds a spicy kick that complements the sweetness of the chili sauce.
• Sesame oil – Adds a rich, flavorful finishing touch to the stir fry.
• Sweet chili sauce – Coats the chicken and vegetables in a delicious sweet and spicy sauce.
• Salt and pepper – Simple seasonings that add flavor to the chicken.

For a printable card of the ingredients, check out the recipe card at the end of this article.

How To Make Sweet Chili Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry

• Add the cubed chicken thighs to a large bowl with vegetable oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss until the chicken is evenly seasoned.
• Sprinkle the cornstarch over the chicken and mix well so every piece has an even coating.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until hot and glistening.
• Cook the chicken in small batches so the skillet doesn’t become overcrowded. Turn the pieces often and cook until crispy and golden brown.
• Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate. Add more vegetable oil to the skillet as needed while cooking the remaining chicken.
• Add the sliced bell peppers to the skillet and sauté until they reach your preferred tenderness.
• Stir in the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant.
• Put the crispy chicken back into the skillet. Add the green beans, sweet chili sauce, sesame oil, optional ginger, and crushed red pepper.
• Toss everything together until the chicken and vegetables are completely covered with the sweet chili sauce.
• Continue cooking until the green beans are heated through, then remove the skillet from the heat.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve this sweet chili chicken and green bean stir-fry over fluffy white rice for a simple meal that soaks up the delicious sweet chili sauce.
• Pair this stir-fry with crispy egg rolls for a side that goes perfectly with the tender chicken and vegetables.
• Enjoy it with an Asian spicy cucumber salad for a cool and refreshing side dish that complements the sweet and spicy flavors.
• Add crispy spring rolls to the meal for an easy appetizer or side dish with plenty of crunch.
• Serve the chicken and green beans with bacon fried rice for a hearty and flavorful dinner that makes the meal even more filling.

Tips For Success

• Dry the chicken well before cooking – Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels before adding the seasonings and cornstarch. Removing excess moisture helps the coating stick to the chicken. It also helps the chicken become crispier as it cooks.
• Cook the chicken in small batches – Avoid putting all the chicken into the skillet at once. Overcrowding the pan can prevent the pieces from becoming crispy and golden. Give the chicken enough room to cook evenly, then repeat with the remaining batches.
• Turn the chicken as it cooks – Rotate the chicken pieces frequently so they brown evenly on all sides. Continue cooking until they have the crispy texture you prefer. Add a little more vegetable oil if the skillet becomes too dry.
• Choose your favorite green beans – Fresh, frozen, steamed, or canned green beans can all be used for this recipe. Fresh green beans will need more cooking time, while canned and steamed green beans only need to be warmed through. If using frozen green beans, thaw them first and gently pat them dry.
• Don’t overcook steamed green beans – If you’re using a bag of steamed frozen green beans, microwave them according to the package directions or let them thaw in the bag. Pat them gently with a paper towel after removing them from the package. Add them toward the end so they only cook until heated through.
• Cook the bell peppers to your preferred texture – If you enjoy very soft bell peppers, give them extra time in the skillet before adding the remaining ingredients. For firmer peppers, shorten the cooking time. This makes it easy to adjust the texture to your family’s preference.
• Add the garlic after the peppers – Let the bell peppers cook first, then stir in the minced garlic. The garlic only needs to cook until fragrant before the other ingredients are added. This keeps the preparation quick and simple.
• Use sweet chili sauce – Sweet chili sauce provides the signature sweet and spicy flavor of this stir fry. Toss it thoroughly with the crispy chicken and vegetables so everything gets coated. The crushed red pepper adds another layer of heat to the finished dish.

Variations And Substitutions

• Try different types of green beans – You don’t have to use steamed green beans. Fresh, frozen, steamed frozen, or canned green beans can all work in this stir fry. Just remember that the cooking time will vary depending on which type you choose.
• Use fresh green beans – Fresh green beans are a great option when you have them available. Trim the ends and cut them into pieces before cooking. Since fresh green beans take longer to become tender, they should be cooked before being combined with the other ingredients.
• Use frozen green beans – Frozen green beans make a convenient substitute for fresh ones. Allow them to thaw before adding them to the stir fry, then gently pat them dry with paper towels. Add them to the skillet and cook until heated through.
• Try steamed frozen green beans – A steam-in-the-bag variety is another easy choice. Microwave the green beans in the bag or allow them to thaw before using them. Remove them from the package, gently pat them dry, and add them after the sweet chili sauce so they only need to heat through.
• Use canned green beans – Canned green beans can also be used when that’s what you have on hand. Since they’re already soft, they don’t need much cooking time. Add them just a few minutes before the stir fry is finished and cook until warmed through.
• Swap out the green beans – If green beans aren’t your favorite, replace them with another vegetable you enjoy. This is an easy way to customize the stir fry to your family’s preferences while keeping the crispy chicken and sweet chili flavors.
• Adjust the bell pepper texture – Bell peppers can be cooked until very soft or left a little firmer. Simply adjust their cooking time according to the texture you prefer. Either option works with the crispy chicken and sweet chili sauce.
• Make it spicier – Crushed red pepper adds heat to the dish, so you can increase the amount when you want a spicier stir fry. The original recipe also suggests Thai chili peppers for additional heat. This creates a stronger contrast with the sweetness of the chili sauce.
• Leave out the ginger – Ginger is optional in this recipe, so you can simply omit it if you don’t have any or don’t want to use it. The stir fry will still have plenty of flavor from the garlic, sesame oil, crushed red pepper, and sweet chili sauce.
• Choose your favorite sweet chili sauce – Use your preferred store-bought sweet chili sauce for an easy option. Make sure you use sweet chili sauce rather than chili paste, since the sweet chili sauce provides an important part of the flavor of this recipe.

Storage and Reheating

• Store leftover Sweet Chili Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Reheat the chicken and vegetables until heated through. Avoid cooking them longer than necessary so the green beans and bell peppers maintain their texture.
• This stir fry is especially delicious when served immediately after cooking, while the chicken is still crispy and the vegetables are freshly cooked.

Other Easy Chicken Recipes

• Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
• Scallion Chicken Thighs
• Japanese Chicken Katsu
• Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken

Other Easy Green Bean Recipes

• Air Fryer French Green Beans
• Keto Green Bean Casserole
• Green Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Feta

More Dinner Recipes

• French Onion Pasta
• Garlic Butter Salmon
• Sweet and Spicy Crispy Chilli Beef