This Sweet Chili Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry is a quick, flavor-packed dinner you’ll want on repeat—tender chicken and crisp asparagus tossed in a sweet, spicy sauce that hits all the right notes. It’s better-than-takeout, comes together in under 30 minutes, and tastes amazing served over rice!
It’s that time of year when asparagus is everywhere—fresh, affordable, and absolutely beautiful. I’m always looking for fun ways to add it to our meals, especially dishes my picky kids will actually enjoy.
Two favorites in our house? Sautéed asparagus and mushrooms for a quick, savory side, and air fryer asparagus fries—crispy, fun to eat, and totally kid-approved!
This chicken and asparagus stir fry is a total hit with its sweet and spicy sauce—they never complain!
It’s a weeknight lifesaver too: ready in about 30 minutes, packed with protein and veggies, and so good with plain rice. No sides needed!
Table of contents
👩🍳 Why our recipe
- Quick & Easy – One pan, about 30 minutes, and dinner’s done. Perfect for busy nights!
- Packed with Flavor – Juicy chicken and tender asparagus tossed in a glossy, sweet-and-spicy sauce that’s seriously addictive.
- All-in-One Meal – Protein and veggies in one dish—just add rice and you’re good to go.
- Totally Crave-Worthy – It’s so good, you’ll be adding it to your weekly dinner rotation in no time.
Short video
How to make chicken and asparagus stir fry?
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Recipe tips
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great in place of chicken breasts—they're extra juicy and flavorful.
- You can find sweet chili sauce at most grocery stores, Asian markets, or on Amazon.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference—add more for a kick, or leave them out for a milder dish.
- Serving suggestion: This sweet chili chicken and asparagus is packed with flavor—just add plain rice and you're set! It also pairs well with fried rice or noodles if you're feeling fancy.
Frequently asked questions
Before you start cooking, give the asparagus a good rinse. The ends tend to be tough and woody, not great to eat, so they need to be trimmed.
The easiest way? Just bend each stalk near the bottom, and it’ll naturally snap where the tender part begins. Then, slice them into 1½-inch pieces and you're ready to toss them into your stir fry!
I like to slice the asparagus on a sharp diagonal—it shortens the fibers, making each piece more tender and easier to chew. Plus, the angled cuts give you more surface area for that delicious sweet and chili sauce to cling to! I prefer medium-thick asparagus—they’re tender without being too stringy or tough.
Next time you need a quick 30-minute chicken dinner, this sweet chili chicken and asparagus stir fry is a must-try! No asparagus on hand? No problem—swap in green beans, broccoli, zucchini, or green bell peppers, that’s just as tasty.
More stir-fry dishes
Sweet Chili Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
- ¾ pound asparagus trimmed and cut into 1 ½ inch pieces
- ¾ cup chopped onion cut into ¾ inch pieces
- 2 large garlic cloves finely chopped
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Add the chicken to a medium bowl. Sprinkle the cornstarch, salt and pepper and toss until the chicken chunks are evenly coated.
- Heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the pan in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until browned. Remove onto a plate.
- Add the remaining one tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add the chopped asparagus and onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until tender, stirring often.
- Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for about a minute.
- Add the cooked chicken, along with any accumulated juices, sweet chili sauce, sesame oil and red pepper flakes.
- Cook, stirring often, for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens up and nicely coats the chicken. Don’t let it get too dry!
- Serve it over rice and dig in!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
Love easy chicken and veggie stir-fries?
- Spicy Hunan chicken is a classic Chinese chicken and vegetable stir fry dish in a savory ginger garlic sauce. Make this delicious restaurant favorite at home tonight!
- Try my chicken and green beans stir fry or the black pepper chicken recipe next!
