Air fryer sweet chili chicken

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Air fryer sweet chili chicken is finger-licking sticky and tender, slightly spicy, and has just the right touch of sweetness! It's an easy recipe that requires only 3 simple ingredients, and the flavorful chicken is ready to serve with your favorite Asian-inspired side dishes in less than 20 minutes.

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Chicken thighs are convenient and economical - but that doesn't mean they can't be super exciting, too! This air fryer sweet chili chicken recipe is wonderfully simple to make with no marinade required, but tastes like a high-end dish you'd find at a hip restaurant.

I love the convenience and complex taste of sweet chili sauce... In just one bottle you get a combination of sweet, spicy, tangy, and almost fruity flavors. It pairs perfectly with rich, fatty, and juicy chicken thighs to create a main dish that's enticing and satisfying.

Best of all, it takes barely any effort or time to bring these delicious thighs to the table. Coat the chicken in the glaze and air fry for 20 minutes or less. Done! Serve alongside rice and veggies or other Asian-inspired side dishes for a tantalizing dinner any night of the week.

brushing sweet chili sauce on raw chicken

What is sweet chili sauce

Sweet chili sauce is a vibrant condiment commonly used in Thai and other Asian dishes. It usually includes a blend of staple ingredients like spicy red chili peppers, vinegar, fish sauce, and either honey or granulated sugar for that iconic sweetness.

The fermented sauce is thick and sticky, similar to a glaze. It's ideal for brushing onto meat and is also great to serve as a sauce on the side!

Expert tips

Line the basket with parchment paper to reduce mess and make cleanup a breeze. Either a cut square of parchment or use a liner specifically made for the air fryer.
Do not stack or let the pieces of chicken touch in the fryer. The sweet chili chicken thighs need a bit of room between them so hot air circulates evenly.
Flip the chicken thighs with tongs about halfway through the suggested cook time. This helps to get an even cook on all sides.
Use an internal meat thermometer to check the chicken for doneness. No matter what cut of chicken you are using, it needs to reach a minimum 165 degrees to be considered safe for eating. If they aren't quite there yet, continue to air fry a minute or two at a time until the thighs are done.

Serving suggestions

The sticky and sweet chili chicken thighs are great to serve with rice. Enjoy them with fluffy white rice, brown rice, or even low carb cauliflower rice!

For a full meal include some cooked vegetables as a side dish... Fresh veggies like bell peppers, snow peas, baby corn, carrots, Brussels sprouts or broccoli are quick and easy to stir fry, saute, or roast.

I also suggest balancing the sweetness and heat with a fresh Asian slaw or simple green salad, if you like!

Frequently asked questions

Can I make this recipe with other pieces of chicken?

You can make air fryer sweet chili chicken with bone-in and skin-on thighs, boneless and skinless thighs, chicken breasts, or even drumsticks or wings. Bone-in pieces will likely need an additional few minutes added to the cook time.

Do air fryer sweet chili chicken thighs get crisp?

The chicken will not get crunchy. However, the sugar in the sweet chili sauce does get nicely caramelized and lightly crispy in the air fryer. If you really like some crisp chicken I suggest making the recipe with skin-on and bone-in thighs... Crispy chicken skin with sweet chili sauce is scrumptious!

What's the difference between chili sauce and sweet chili sauce?

Sweet chili sauce is made with a good bit of sugar and is, as the name suggests, sweet. Chili sauce, on the other hand, is made with vinegar and spices so that it's spicy, sharp, and tangy.

Leftovers

Any chicken leftovers in my house are stored in the air tight plastic or glass container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the air fryer or in the microwave until heated through.

More chicken thighs recipes

Hope you will like this air fryer sweet chili chicken thighs recipe as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.

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