Sweet Chili Air Fryer Chicken (Print version)
Sticky sweet chili glazed chicken thighs air-fried to crispy, golden perfection in just 30 minutes.
# What goes in:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
→ Marinade & Glaze
02 - 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari)
04 - 1 tablespoon honey
05 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Garnish
09 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
10 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
11 - Lime wedges, for serving
# Cooking steps:
01 - Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 3 to 5 minutes.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until well combined.
03 - Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure proper crisping.
04 - Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss until evenly coated. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the marinade for glazing later.
05 - Arrange the thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Work in batches if needed to avoid crowding. Air fry for 10 minutes.
06 - Flip the thighs skin-side up and brush generously with the reserved marinade. Continue air frying for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden.
07 - Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro, sesame seeds, and serve with lime wedges alongside steamed jasmine rice or stir-fried vegetables.
# Tips from flavorandfeast:
01 -
- The glaze caramelizes in the air fryer into a lacquered finish that looks like you spent hours, not minutes.
- Cleanup is almost nothing compared to pan frying or deep frying.
- It converts people who think they do not like chicken thighs because the texture is so different from oven baked.
02 -
- Do not skip drying the chicken because wet skin steams instead of crisps and you will end up with a rubbery surface.
- Reserving that small amount of marinade before the raw chicken goes in is the only safe way to glaze later without cross contamination.
03 -
- If your air fryer has hot spots, rotate the basket halfway through cooking so every thigh colors evenly.
- Letting the glazed chicken sit for two minutes before serving allows the coating to set so it does not slide right off when you bite in.