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Sticky sweet chili chicken thighs cooked in an air fryer for a tasty meal

Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

These Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs cooked in an air fryer deliver caramelized flavor and tender meat in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.
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Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 4 pieces
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken Thighs
  • 4 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5–2 lbs) or 6 boneless thighs for quicker cook time
Seasoning and Glaze
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil) for brushing
  • 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce store-bought or homemade
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari use tamari for gluten-free
  • 1.5 tbsp honey or maple syrup for vegan alternative, use maple
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar or 1½ tsp fresh lime juice for brightness
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger or ¼ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes for extra heat (optional)
Garnishes
  • sliced scallions
  • chopped cilantro
  • toasted sesame seeds
  • lime wedges

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
  2. For skinless thighs, brine in salted water for 10 minutes for juiciness.
Glaze Preparation
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce or tamari, honey or maple, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
  2. Adjust the balance by adding more honey for sweetness or lime for brightness.
Cooking
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes. Lightly brush thighs with oil.
  2. Place the thighs skin-side down in the basket for 3-4 minutes to start browning, then flip.
  3. Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes. Flip thighs, brush with glaze, and continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes until cooked through.
Finishing Touches
  1. Remove thighs and let rest for 5 minutes. Brush with a final coat of glaze.
  2. Garnish with scallions, cilantro, sesame seeds, and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

For a crunchier finish, you can air fry at a lower temperature for an additional minute. Keep garnishes separate during storage to maintain texture.