When life gets busy and you need a meal that practically cooks itself, this Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken is a game-changer.

With just a few ingredients, you can set it and forget it, and hours later, you’ll have tender chicken coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce. It’s simple, comforting, and full of flavor—perfect for busy weeknights when you want something that doesn’t take a lot of effort but still tastes amazing.

A photograph showcasing a top-down view of a vibrant dish featuring shredded chicken coated in a glistening sweet chili sauce, generously sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions. The chicken, arranged artfully within a pristine white ceramic bowl, sits elegantly on a cool, grey marble countertop, ready to be paired with fluffy steamed rice. Soft, diffused natural light illuminates the scene, highlighting the rich colors of the dish and casting subtle reflections on the marble surface, while a neatly folded linen napkin rests nearby. The overall presentation evokes a sense of deliciousness and culinary artistry.

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I first made this dish on a Sunday when I had a few hours to kill but didn’t feel like spending much time in the kitchen. I threw some chicken, sweet chili sauce, and a few other ingredients into the slow cooker, went about my day, and by dinner time, the chicken was fall-apart tender and the sauce was rich and flavorful. It became a go-to recipe that I love to make ahead for easy meals throughout the week.

Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This

This recipe is all about convenience and flavor, making it a go-to meal for any time of the week.

Set and Forget – Just toss everything in the slow cooker and let it cook.
Sweet, Tangy, and Spicy – The perfect balance of flavors that coats the chicken beautifully.
Easy to Make – Requires minimal effort and uses simple ingredients.
Great for Leftovers – The chicken stays juicy and flavorful, perfect for meal prep.

This dish is ideal for those busy nights when you want something tasty with little prep.

What You’ll Need to Make Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken

The ingredients are simple, but together they create a dish that’s flavorful and satisfying.

A photograph shows a neatly arranged collection of ingredients for slow cooker sweet chili chicken, presented from a top-down perspective on a pristine white marble countertop. Four white ceramic bowls hold vibrant ingredients: a deep reddish-brown sweet chili sauce, a dark amber soy sauce, a golden honey, and a light brown sesame oil, each with a subtle sheen reflecting the light. Freshly chopped garlic cloves, ginger slices, and vibrant green onions are artfully arranged alongside juicy chicken breasts ready to be placed in the slow cooker, with a small pile of toasted sesame seeds set aside for garnish in a tiny ramekin. Soft, diffused natural light illuminates the scene, creating gentle shadows and highlighting the textures of the ingredients against the cool marble surface.

Chicken Breasts or Thighs – Boneless, skinless chicken works best, but bone-in can also be used.
Sweet Chili Sauce – The base of the sauce, offering sweetness and just the right amount of heat.
Soy Sauce – Adds depth and saltiness to balance the sweetness.
Garlic – Fresh minced garlic brings out the savory side of the dish.
Honey – For extra sweetness and richness.
Rice Vinegar – To balance the flavors with a little acidity.
Ginger – Fresh ginger adds a fragrant kick to the sauce.
Green Onions – For garnish and a pop of freshness.
Sesame Seeds (Optional) – For a little crunch and extra flavor.

These basic ingredients work together to create a mouthwatering sauce that perfectly complements the chicken.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken

With the slow cooker doing most of the work, this dish is simple to make.

A photograph showcasing a slow cooker filled with succulent chicken pieces bathed in a vibrant, glossy sauce. The chicken is perfectly tender and glistening, coated in a rich blend of sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, garlic, honey, and ginger, with the sauce gently bubbling around the chicken. The slow cooker sits on a cool, gray marble kitchen countertop, illuminated by soft overhead lighting creating subtle highlights on the surface of the sauce and countertop. A wooden spoon rests casually across the cooker’s edge, suggesting a home-cooked meal.

Prepare the Sauce – In a bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, garlic, honey, rice vinegar, and ginger until well combined.
Set Up the Slow Cooker – Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring it’s evenly covered.
Cook the Chicken – Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4–6 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easily shreddable.
Shred the Chicken – Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
Return to the Slow Cooker – Place the shredded chicken back into the sauce and stir to coat the chicken in the flavorful sauce.
Serve – Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over steamed rice or with your favorite side.

The slow cooker takes care of the chicken, making it juicy and tender while the sauce infuses every bite with sweet and savory flavor.

What to Serve Alongside Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken

This dish is great on its own, but pairing it with a few sides can make it a complete meal.

A photograph of a white ceramic bowl filled with tender shredded chicken bathed in a vibrant, glossy sweet chili sauce. Scattered across the top are toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped bright green onions, creating a visually appealing contrast. The bowl rests on a cool, grey marble countertop with subtle veining, catching the light and reflecting the rich colors of the dish, while a small sign reads “

Side Dish	Why It Works
Steamed Rice	Perfect for soaking up the sweet chili sauce.
Roasted Vegetables	Adds color and texture to balance the dish.
Cucumber Salad	Light and refreshing to cut through the richness.
Asian Slaw	Crunchy and tangy, it complements the sweet and spicy chicken.
Garlic Noodles	Soft and flavorful noodles make a great base for the chicken.
Pickled Vegetables	Adds a tangy, crunchy contrast to the sweet sauce.
Sauteed Greens	Light, healthy greens to balance out the richness of the chicken.

These sides offer a nice contrast to the rich, flavorful chicken while completing the meal.

How to Store and Reheat Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken

If you have leftovers, storing and reheating is easy.

To store: Let the chicken cool before transferring it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat: Reheat the chicken in a pan over low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave it in short bursts, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to keep it moist.

For longer storage, freeze the chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as usual.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They tend to stay even juicier and more flavorful when cooked slowly.

2. Can I make this dish spicier?

Absolutely! Add more chili flakes or a dash of sriracha to increase the heat.

3. Can I use a different sweet sauce?

If you don’t have sweet chili sauce, you can substitute with hoisin sauce or a homemade mix of honey and chili sauce.

4. How can I make this dish gluten-free?

Simply use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version.

5. Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dish a day ahead. The flavors only improve with time, and it stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days.

This Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken is as easy as it gets—throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you. The result is a flavorful, juicy chicken coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. Serve it over rice or with your favorite sides, and you’ve got a meal everyone will love.

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Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken

This slow cooker sweet chili chicken is a flavorful and easy meal that requires minimal effort. Chicken is slow-cooked in a sweet and spicy sauce, perfect for serving over rice or alongside your favorite sides.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 10

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian-Inspired

Servings servings

Equipment

Slow Cooker For cooking the chicken
Pan For browning the chicken if desired

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional, for garnish
green onions optional, for garnish

Instructions

Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the slow cooker.
In a bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, honey, and ginger.
Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
Once the chicken is done, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce and stir to coat.
Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving. Serve over rice or with your favorite sides.

Notes

For added flavor, brown the chicken in a pan before adding it to the slow cooker.
Serve with steamed rice or a simple salad to complete the meal.
For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.

Keyword easy chicken recipe, slow cooker chicken, sweet chili chicken

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About The Author

Kimberly Baxter

Kimberly Baxter is a nutrition and dietetics expert, holding a Master’s Degree in the field. With over four years of study in the US, she graduated in 2012. Kimberly’s passion lies in creating and capturing wholesome foods through baking and food photography. Her work aims to inspire others to embrace healthier eating habits.

As a passionate foodie and skilled cook, Kimberly started EatDelights.com to combine her love for cooking with her desire to inspire others to enjoy flavorful and wholesome meals. Through her blog, she aims to provide readers with a wide range of mouthwatering recipes that are both easy to follow and satisfying to eat.

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