Impress Your Guests with Delicious Chicken Hot Pot Recipe
Hello there, fellow food lovers! Today, I am thrilled to share with you my mouth-watering Apricot and Sweet Chilli Chicken Hot Pot recipe. If you’re looking for a dish that is both sweet and spicy, this chicken recipe will definitely win your heart.
This lovely dish is made using succulent chicken breast fillets that are coated in a delectable sticky sweet apricot sauce, infused with the fiery flavors of chili hot pot. This combination creates an explosion of flavors in each bite, making it hard to resist!
The beauty of this recipe lies in how easy it is to make. You can cook it using a slow cooker, crockpot or even an instant pot with readily available ingredients in your kitchen. Whether you are a novice chef or an experienced cook, this recipe is perfect for anyone who loves good food and easy cooking.
Plus, as I like to say, there’s nothing quite like a hearty hot pot to add some warmth to your mealtime routine. The aroma from this lovely hot pot will fill your home with the sweet tangy scent of apricots and the spicy kick of chili, leaving all your guests (or yourself!) salivating at the mere thought of it.
So let’s get started on creating culinary magic! Gather all the ingredients that we need and follow me as I take you through the step-by-step process of cooking this heavenly dish. I promise that your taste buds won’t be disappointed!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Friends, I don’t know about you, but when I’m looking for a meal to satisfy my cravings, I want something that’ll tantalize my taste buds with every bite. And let me tell you, the apricot and sweet chilli chicken hot pot recipe? It’s just the thing I need.
I mean, how could you not love this recipe? It’s got everything you could ever want in a comfort meal: tender, juicy chicken breast fillets drenched in a sticky sweet and tangy sauce with just the right amount of heat from sweet chilli.
But wait, there’s more. This dish is versatile enough to be prepared on the stove top or in a crock pot or instant pot so you can cook it at your own convenience. There are no complicated cooking techniques involved either – just sear the chicken to perfection before adding all your ingredients and letting it simmer away into deliciousness.
The best part? This dish isn’t just flavourful and satisfying; it’s also wholesome and nourishing. The chicken breasts are lean sources of protein, while apricots are packed full of vitamins A and C. And cooking up an entire pot means you’ll have leftovers for days or feed the whole family at once.
So get yourself some cornflour, diced chicken breast fillets, apricot preserves, sweet chilli sauce and enough veggies to add color and extra nutrition such as sweet potato to your liking because we’re about to make an unforgettable meal that will make your tastebuds dance with happiness.
Ingredient List
This delicious Apricot and Sweet Chili Chicken Hot Pot Recipe requires a combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy ingredients that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- 500g boneless, skinless chicken breast fillets or chicken thighs, diced into bite-size pieces
- 1 tablespoon cornflour
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil (olive oil or any neutral oil of your liking)
- 1 liter chicken stock (preferably low-sodium)
- 100g dried apricot preserves or apricot jam
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- 4 chicken drumsticks
- 1 cup diced sweet potato
These ingredients can easily be found in any supermarket or grocery store, making it a convenient recipe to try out for both novice and experienced cooks. Alternatively, the recipe can also be adapted to suit different dietary requirements by swapping ingredients out accordingly.
The Recipe How-To
Now it’s time to get cooking! Follow these steps to create a delicious Apricot and Sweet Chilli Chicken Hot Pot recipe that will impress your loved ones.
Ingredients
- 500 g diced chicken breast fillets
- 1 cup apricot preserves
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornflour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 liter chicken stock
- 100g dried chili hot pot mix
Steps
Step 1: Heat the oil
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the diced chicken breast fillets and sear them until they are browned.
Step 2: Prepare the sauce ingredients
In a separate bowl, mix together the apricot preserves, sweet chili sauce, and cornflour until well combined.
Step 3: Add the chicken stock and seasoning mix
Pour in the chicken stock and dried chili hot pot mix, then stir well. Bring it to a boil.
Step 4: Mix in the sauce mixture
Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat down to low and stir in the sauce mixture you prepared earlier
Step 5: Simmer and let everything cook together
Allow your ingredients to simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce becomes sticky and thick, and the chicken is cooked through.
Serve it hot with some white rice or enjoy as you like.
Enjoy your delicious and flavorful Apricot and Sweet Chilli Chicken Hot Pot!
Note: This recipe can also be cooked using an Instant Pot or crock pot. If using an Instant Pot, follow the same steps using the “pressure cook” option instead of simmering on low heat.
Substitutions and Variations
Are you looking for ways to make the Apricot and Sweet Chilli Chicken Hot Pot Recipe your own? Do you want to switch things up a bit or adapt it to suit your preferences? Here are a few substitution ideas and variations that you can try!
1. Chicken: This recipe works great with both chicken breasts and chicken thighs, depending on your preference. Boneless skinless chicken thighs add an extra depth of flavor and tenderness, while breasts have a milder taste and firm texture. You can also use bone-in chicken pieces, adjusting cooking time as needed.
2. Apricot Preserves: While apricot jam or preserves are the primary ingredient for this recipe, you can experiment with other sweet fruit jams like peach, mango or mixed berries. Add a little extra sweet spicy tang by mixing in some honey or maple syrup.
3. Sweet Chili Sauce: If you don’t have sweet chili sauce on hand or find it too spicy, variations of sauces such as sticky chili sauce or apricot sauce will work equally well adding a sticky sweet and sour taste.
4. Vegetables: You can add vegetables to the dish for more nourishment too such as sweet potato, carrots bell peppers or zucchini to increase the flavor and bite.
5. Pot Preparation: The original recipe calls for slow-cooking in a crock-pot for convenience with minimal intervention; however, if you are pressed for time, try preparing this recipe through an air fryer or even instant pot with different layering requirements.
Remember that cooking is all about experimenting and making the dish your own based on what works best for you. With these ideas, you can truly make this recipe unique and customized to suit your taste preferences. Let’s get creative!
Serving and Pairing
Once you’ve prepared this delicious apricot and sweet chilli chicken hot pot, you’ll want to serve it up piping hot and ready to enjoy. I suggest pairing this dish with a bowl of steaming hot rice, which will soak up all the sweet and sour juices and complement the tender chunks of chicken.
For those who like to add a bit of kick to their meal, consider serving this dish with a side of crispy stir-fried vegetables, such as broccoli, bok choy, and carrots. Another option is to serve it alongside some fluffy naan bread or pita bread, which can help soak up any excess sauce.
If you’re hosting a dinner party or special event, you may want to pair this dish with a crisp white wine or a fruity red wine that can help balance the sweetness of the apricot preserves. Alternatively, you could try serving this hot pot with a cold pint of beer or your favorite soda.
No matter how you choose to serve this apricot and sweet chilli chicken recipe, one thing is for sure: it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone feeling satisfied and happy.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of the great things about this apricot and sweet chilli chicken hot pot recipe is that it can be made ahead of time. This means that you can prepare everything the day before, or even a few days in advance, and simply reheat it when it’s time to serve.
To make ahead, simply follow the recipe instructions up until step 5. Once you have cooked the chicken and vegetables in the sauce, allow everything to cool down completely before transferring it to an airtight container. You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
When reheating, you can use a microwave or stovetop. If using a microwave, heat on medium power for 4-5 minutes, stirring halfway through. If using a stovetop, heat over low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
One important thing to note is that if you’re reheating the chicken from frozen, make sure to fully thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. This will ensure that it heats through evenly without drying out.
When storing leftovers, divide them into portions and store them in individual containers. The sauce may thicken slightly when refrigerated, but this is normal and nothing to worry about. However, if you find that the sauce has thickened too much when reheating, you can add a little bit of water or chicken broth to thin it out.
Overall, this recipe is perfect for meal planning and prepping ahead of time. Whether you’re looking for an easy dinner on a busy weeknight or planning a casual get-together with friends and family, this apricot and sweet chilli chicken hot pot is sure to impress everyone at the table!
Tips for Perfect Results
Now that you have all the ingredients and steps to make this delicious Apricot and Sweet Chilli Chicken Hot Pot, let me share with you some tips to help you achieve perfect results every time.
1. Use Chicken Thighs or Breast Fillets
For a succulent and tender chicken that falls off the bone, I suggest using chicken thighs or breast fillets. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work best in this recipe as they absorb more flavor and remain tender throughout the cooking process. If you prefer a lighter option or want a leaner cut of meat, then chicken breast fillets are your go-to.
2. Sear the Chicken Before Adding It to the Crockpot
To keep the moisture inside the chicken, it’s important to sear it first before adding it to the crockpot. This locks in the flavor and natural juices and keeps the texture of the meat intact. Heat up some oil in a pan, cook for about 1-2 minutes each side until browned, then transfer to the cooking pot.
3. Use Cornflour to Thicken Sauce
If you want to thicken your sauce without adding any flavor, add cornflour to it. Cornflour is perfect for giving your sauce a glossy sheen while preventing it from becoming too runny. Mix equal parts of cornflour and cold water, stirring until smooth, then pour it into your hot pot with 30 minutes left on cooking time.
4. Adjust Sweetness and Spice Level to Your Liking
The sweetness and spiciness of the dish can easily be adjusted for personal taste preference. If you like sweeter dishes, consider using more apricot preserves or jam in your recipe. For spicier flavors, add more sweet chilli sauce or diced chilli peppers.
5. Pair with Roasted Sweet Potato
The combination of sweet potato with apricot sweet chilli chicken is irresistible. The sweetness of the roasted sweet potato complements the hot pot’s sticky sweet and savory flavors perfect. Dice sweet potatoes into bite-size pieces, arrange on baking sheet, then roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes at 200°C.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to create a dish that will impress your friends and family. Enjoy your Apricot and Sweet Chilli Chicken Hot Pot with roasted sweet potato on the side and savor every bite!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Apricot and Sweet Chilli Chicken Hot Pot recipe is the perfect dish to impress your family and friends, or just enjoy on a cozy night in. With its tangy and spicy flavor, it offers a unique twist on traditional chicken recipes that will tantalize your taste buds. The ingredients are easy to find, and the recipe itself is straightforward and easy to follow, making it a great choice for novice cooks or experienced chefs alike.
So take some time to gather the ingredients and give this recipe a try. Trust me, once you do, you’ll want to make it again and again! With its versatile nature, you can easily customize this dish to fit your mealtime preferences – whether you choose to slow cook it in a crock pot or whip it up in an instant pot.
In short, this recipe is a must-try for any foodie who enjoys the savory flavors of chicken dishes. So what are you waiting for? Dig in and indulge your taste buds with the sticky sweet goodness of apricot chicken!
Apricot and Sweet Chilli Chicken Hot Pot Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 500 g diced chicken breast fillets
- 1 liter chicken stock
- 100 g dried apricots
- 500 g diced assorted fresh vegetables (such as carrot, sweet potato, peas, beans, brocolli & pumpkin)
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornflour
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large saucepan and cook chicken until browned.
- Add chicken stock, apricots and vegetables and bring to the boil.
- Reduce heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
- Combine sweet chilli sauce and cornflour with 2 tablespoons of water, in a small jug, and then stir into chicken mixture.
- Bring to the boil, stirring constantly, and cook until sauce has slightly thickened.
- Serve with steamed rice or mashed potatoes.