Description
This Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken recipe features crispy, juicy chicken thighs coated in a luscious, caramelized sweet chili glaze. Ready in just 25 minutes using an air fryer, it offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors that’s easy to prepare and delicious for any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 8 bone-in chicken thighs (can use boneless)
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Sticky Glaze
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for cooking the chicken thighs.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry thoroughly with a paper towel to ensure crispy skin after air frying.
- Season the chicken: Rub the chicken thighs evenly with avocado oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful base.
- Initial air frying: Place chicken thighs skin side down in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 15 minutes.
- Make the sticky glaze: In a mixing bowl, combine the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil to create the sticky glaze.
- Baste the chicken: Remove the chicken briefly and baste generously with the sticky glaze, repeating at least three times during cooking to build a caramelized coating.
- Continue cooking: Air fry the chicken for an additional 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring thorough cooking.
- Optional broiling: For extra crispy, caramelized skin, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking while watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Serve the Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs over jasmine rice or alongside your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry before seasoning is key to achieving crispy skin in the air fryer.
- Basting multiple times with the sticky glaze builds a deep, caramelized flavor and texture.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Broiling at the end is optional but gives an extra crisp finish.
- Serve with jasmine rice or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken, Air fryer chicken, Chicken thighs recipe, Sweet chili sauce chicken, Quick chicken dinner
