Sweet Chili Air Fryer Chicken (Printable)
Crispy air fryer chicken thighs coated in a sweet, tangy chili glaze. Ready in just 30 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
→ Marinade and Sauce
02 - 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 tablespoon honey
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnish
10 - 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
11 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
# Steps:
01 - Pat the chicken thighs thoroughly dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning and crispiness.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, olive oil, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
03 - Place the chicken thighs in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, turning each piece to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 10 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor penetration.
04 - Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes.
05 - Place the chicken thighs skin-side up in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Brush the tops with some of the remaining marinade.
06 - Cook for 20 minutes, flipping the thighs halfway through and basting with the remaining marinade. The chicken is done when golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
07 - Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Transfer to a serving plate, sprinkle with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The air fryer does all the heavy lifting, giving you shatteringly crisp skin while the meat stays ridiculously juicy underneath.
- That sweet chili glaze strikes a perfect balance between sticky sweetness and a gentle warm kick that keeps you reaching for another piece.
02 -
- Crowding the air fryer basket is the fastest way to end up with soggy skin, so cook in batches if needed and never stack the thighs.
- Flipping halfway through is not optional because the side touching the basket cooks faster and you want even caramelization on both sides.
03 -
- Marinate overnight if you have the time because the flavors penetrate deeper and the result tastes like you spent all day on it.
- Toasting the sesame seeds in a dry pan for thirty seconds before sprinkling them on doubles their nutty aroma and takes almost zero effort.