Sweet Chili Air Fryer Chicken (Printable)
Sticky sweet chili glazed chicken thighs air-fried to crispy, golden perfection in just 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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
# Directions:
01 - Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 3-5 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 - Place the thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
06 - Air fry at 380°F for 10 minutes until the bottom develops a golden crust.
07 - Flip the thighs skin-side up and brush generously with the reserved marinade.
08 - Continue air frying for another 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden and crispy.
09 - Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro, sesame seeds, and serve with lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The glaze turns lacquered and glossy in the air fryer, creating texture that rivals takeout.
- Cleanup is almost nonexistent since everything cooks in one basket.
02 -
- Crowding the basket traps steam and turns the skin soggy instead of crispy, so cook in batches if needed.
- Reserving that small amount of glaze before the raw chicken touches it is critical for food safety and for a finishing layer of flavor.
03 -
- Drying the chicken thoroughly before glazing is the single step that separates good results from great ones.
- A light spray of oil on the air fryer basket prevents the sticky glaze from welding the skin to the metal.