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Air Fryer Sweet Chili Chicken

Air Fryer Sweet Chili Chicken

Crispy air-fried chicken bites tossed in a sticky, homemade sweet chili sauce. A quick and delicious main course that's much healthier than deep-fried takeout.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Calories: 525

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 700 g boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-3cm cubes
  • 60 g cornflour
  • 60 g plain flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Cooking oil spray
For the Sweet Chili Sauce
  • 120 ml sweet chili sauce
  • 60 ml honey
  • 30 ml dark soy sauce
  • 30 ml rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
For Garnish (optional)
  • 2 spring onions thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Chicken Coating: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the cornflour, plain flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined.
  2. Coat the Chicken: Add the cubed chicken to the flour mixture. Toss everything together until each piece of chicken is evenly and generously coated. Let it sit for 5 minutes; this helps the coating adhere properly.
  3. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 200°C (180°C fan) and let it preheat for about 3 minutes. A hot start is crucial for crispiness.
  4. Cook the Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Be sure not to overcrowd it; cook in two batches if necessary. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with cooking oil.
  5. Air Fry: Cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping the pieces over halfway through the cooking time. The chicken is done when it’s golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. I find that using tongs is the best way to flip each piece for even browning.
  6. Make the Sauce: While the chicken is in the air fryer, combine all the sauce ingredients (sweet chili sauce, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and sesame oil) in a small saucepan.
  7. Simmer the Sauce: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble away for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened slightly and can coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat.
  8. Combine and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the warm sweet chili sauce over the top and toss gently until every piece is glistening and coated. Garnish with sliced spring onions and toasted sesame seeds, and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, serve immediately to enjoy the crispy texture. This dish pairs well with steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables.