New methods of forming chiral nanoparticles (e.g., nano structures) are provided. The method comprises directing circular polarized light (CPL) towards a nanoparticle precursor to cause a photo induced reaction of the nanoparticle precursor and induce chirality to form a stable chiral nanoparticle. In this manner, CPL is used to template chirality onto nanoparticles without use of any chiral component or chiral ligands for inducing chirality to the particle in such a method. The nanoparticles may include a variety of light-absorbing materials (e.g., CdTe, CdS, Au, and the like). Such methods provide a rapid, simple, and inexpensive way of forming chiral nanoparticles that have long term chiral stability.