Description
These Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs are perfectly cooked in the air fryer, delivering tender, juicy chicken coated in a sticky, flavorful sweet chili glaze. This quick and easy recipe is marinated for a deliciously tangy and slightly spicy kick, perfect for a weeknight dinner served alongside rice or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade & Sauce
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ginger powder or fresh grated ginger
- 1 tbsp lime juice (optional, for a tangy finish)
Other
- Cooking spray or a light brush of oil
- Chopped green onions or sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, garlic powder, ginger powder or fresh grated ginger, and lime juice until well combined to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor absorption.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the chicken.
- Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with a little oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Chicken: Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 14–16 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crispiness. The chicken is done when it turns golden, sticky, and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Add Extra Sticky Glaze: During the last 2 minutes of cooking, brush the chicken thighs with additional sweet chili sauce to enhance the sticky texture and flavor.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds. Serve hot with your choice of rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh grated ginger for the ginger powder to add a brighter ginger flavor.
- Marinating the chicken longer than 30 minutes, up to 4 hours, will make the flavors more pronounced.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation for even cooking.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- This recipe works well with bone-in chicken thighs as well, though cooking time may need to be slightly increased.
