Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer

why make this recipe

Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs are a delicious and easy-to-make dish, especially in the air fryer. This recipe offers a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, making it appealing to both adults and kids. Preparing chicken thighs in the air fryer gives you crispy skin while keeping the meat juicy and tender. Plus, using simple ingredients means you won’t spend hours in the kitchen.

how to make Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

Ingredients:

• 8 bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ cup sweet chili sauce
• 3 tbsp of soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil

Directions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel to ensure a crispy chicken skin.
3. Season the chicken thighs with avocado oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Air fry the chicken skin side down at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
5. For the sticky glaze, mix together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and oyster sauce in a separate small bowl.
6. Baste the chicken a few times with the sticky sauce while air frying. You want the chicken to be caramelized, so basting it at least 3 times will give a nice coat of glaze.
7. Add another 10 minutes of cooking time or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
8. For an extra crispy finish, broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning and ensure the chicken skin becomes beautifully caramelized.
9. Once done, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes.
10. Serve your Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs over a bed of jasmine rice or with your favorite vegetable side dishes.

how to serve Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs are best served hot. You can place them over jasmine rice or alongside steamed vegetables. For a refreshing touch, add a side salad. Don’t forget to drizzle any leftover sticky glaze on top for added flavor.

how to store Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

If you have leftovers, let the chicken cool down before placing it in an airtight container. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer or oven until heated through.

tips to make Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

• Patting the chicken dry is important for achieving crispy skin.
• Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the glaze by adding more or less sweet chili sauce according to your taste.
• Experiment with different types of sauces or spices to customize the flavor even more.

variation

For a healthier version, you can replace the chicken thighs with chicken breasts. You can also add different vegetables to the air fryer, such as bell peppers or broccoli, for a balanced meal.

FAQs

1. Can I use boneless chicken thighs?

Yes, you can use boneless chicken thighs. Just reduce the cooking time a bit since they cook faster.

2. What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can bake these chicken thighs in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 35-40 minutes instead.

3. Can I make this dish spicy?

Absolutely! You can add red pepper flakes or a touch of sriracha to the glaze to give it more heat.

Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

Enjoy deliciously crispy Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs made easily in the air fryer, combining the perfect balance of sweetness and spice.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Asian

Calories: 310

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 8 pieces bone-in chicken thighs Use skin-on for crispy texture
• 1 tbsp avocado oil For coating the chicken
• 1 tsp garlic powder Adds flavor
• ½ tsp salt To taste
• ½ tsp pepper To taste

Sticky Sauce

• ½ cup sweet chili sauce Main component of the glaze
• 3 tbsp soy sauce Adds umami flavor
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce Enhances the sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil For sesame flavor

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel to ensure a crispy chicken skin.
3. Season the chicken thighs with avocado oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Cooking

1. Air fry the chicken skin side down at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
2. In a separate small bowl, mix together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and oyster sauce for the sticky glaze.
3. Baste the chicken a few times with the sticky sauce while air frying, aiming for at least 3 times for a nice coat of glaze.
4. Add another 10 minutes of cooking time or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
5. For an extra crispy finish, broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.

Finishing

1. Once done, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes.
2. Serve your Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs over a bed of jasmine rice or with your favorite vegetable side dishes.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is important for achieving crispy skin. Adjust the sweet chili sauce to customize the glaze sweetness. Experiment with different sauces or spices to customize the flavor.