Description
Sticky sweet chili chicken thighs bring Korean-inspired flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort. Crispy, glazed chicken emerges perfectly caramelized, delivering restaurant-quality results you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Garnish (Optional):
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade by whisking sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing bowl.
- Use paper towels to thoroughly dry chicken thighs, ensuring maximum crispiness.
- Massage chicken thighs with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper.
- Preheat air fryer to 380F (190C) for optimal cooking environment.
- Arrange chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap.
- Cook for 12 minutes, allowing skin to crisp and render fat.
- Carefully flip chicken thighs and liberally brush with prepared sweet chili mixture.
- Continue cooking for 10-12 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F (74C).
- Remove chicken from air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sprinkle sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately while chicken remains hot and crispy.
Notes
- Marinate chicken thighs for deeper flavor by letting them sit in the sauce mixture for 30 minutes before air frying, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Ensure chicken is completely dry before seasoning to achieve crispy, golden-brown skin that locks in moisture and creates a delightful texture.
- Adjust cooking time based on chicken thigh size and air fryer model, checking internal temperature to prevent overcooking and maintain juicy meat.
- Swap honey with maple syrup or agave for a vegan-friendly version, or use gluten-free soy sauce to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg