Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer

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These insanely delicious Sweet Chili chicken thighs in air fryer bring a tasty combo of sticky, sweet, and spicy flavors. These air fryer chicken thighs are an easy meal to whip up any night. Air fry or bake in the oven - up to you.

Irresistible Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs is quick to prepare. Fantastic for a tasty lunch or a delicious dinner.

Try my infamous air fryer chicken recipes. Garlic Miso Chicken, Sesame Chicken, and my favorite easy Soy Sauce Chicken.

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Ingredients for Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs
How to make Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs
Substitutions
Equipment
How to store and reheat
Top Tips for Success
Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs - FAQs
Related
What to serve with sweet chili chicken
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Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer
Food safety

Ingredients for Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
Avocado oil
Lemon pepper
Garlic powder
Salt
Pepper

Sticky Sweet Chili Glaze:

Sweet chili sauce
Soy sauce
Lemon juice
Sesame oil

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

Air frying chicken thighs is my favorite way to prepare chicken. It is simple, always come juicy - never dry! Once you start air frying, you will never go back.

Prep the chicken thighs. Season and set aside.

Air fry skin side down.

Make the glaze

Glaze and flip the chicken to get the skin crispy and caramelized.

Preparing the Chicken Thighs (oven or air fryer)

Start by preheating your oven or air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel to ensure a crispy chicken skin.

Season the chicken

In a small bowl, mix the avocado oil, lemon pepper, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this flavorful seasoning mix all over the chicken thighs, ensuring an even coating.

Air fry or Roast the chicken

Air fry: Air fry the chicken skin side down at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
Oven: Line the baking tray with parchment paper. Roast the chicken skin side down for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. Flip and roast for 10 minutes until the skin is crispy.

Sticky Sweet Chili Glaze

While the chicken is air fryer or roasted, prepare the sticky sauce.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and oyster sauce.

Applying the Sticky Glaze

Baste the chicken a few times with the sticky sauce while roasting or air frying. You want the chicken to be caramelized. I basted the chicken at least 4 times to get a nice coat of the glaze.
Add more than 10 minutes of cooking time to the chicken or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Broiling for Extra Crispiness (Optional - highly recommended)

For an extra crispy finish, turn on the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye to prevent burning and ensure that the chicken skin becomes beautifully caramelized.

Serving

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

Substitutions

Avocado Oil: Olive oil or vegetable oil
Lemon Pepper: Lemon zest and black pepper
Garlic Powder: Fresh minced garlic or garlic paste
Salt: Sea salt or kosher salt (available in grocery store)
Pepper: Black pepper or red pepper flakes

or the Sauce:

Sweet Chilli Sauce: Make a homemade version using honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup, spicy sauce, fish sauce, red pepper flakes, and garlic.
Soy Sauce: Tamari, hoisin sauce, dipping sauce, or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
Lemon Juice: Lime juice or rice vinegar for a tangy twist.

Equipment

Air fryer
Bowls
Measuring spoons

How to store and reheat

Storage:

Refrigeration: Allow Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken recipes to cool to room temperature before storing. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
Freezing: If you want to freeze leftovers, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place in a freezer-safe container. Label with the date.

Reheating:

Microwave: For a quick reheat, place a portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat in short intervals, stirring in between until thoroughly heated.
Air fryer: This is how I prefer to reheat this dish.

Top Tips for Success

For a crispy chicken: Make sure the chicken is patted dry with paper towel.

Caramelized chicken: Broil for an extra 2 minutes at the end to get the chicken extra sticky and caramelized.

Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs - FAQs

How long should I marinate the chicken thighs?

You do not need to marinate this chicken. A quick season, air fry then baste. It is so easy, you will love it!

What's the recommended internal temperature for perfectly cooked thighs?

Cook thighs to 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer to ensure succulence without overcooking.

How can I achieve a crispy finish on the chicken thighs?

To achieve crispy chicken thighs, pat the chicken thighs dry before cooking and broil at the last 2 minutes of cooking for a crispy and caramelized finish.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these other chicken recipes

What to serve with sweet chili chicken

These are my favorite side dishes to serve with Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

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