This is one of my favorite chicken recipes, if you love Crispy Thai Sweet Chili Chicken, you will love this easy recipe for Air Fryer Sweet Chili Chicken Bites!
Do you enjoy eating Thai food? If so, these sweet chili chicken bites will be perfect for you. They are easy to make and even more accessible to eat! All it takes is a few ingredients, most of which are probably in your pantry now, to whip up this fantastic appetizer or quick dinner or lunch! Oh, so good!
Try this delicious recipe with your family or friends tonight and see what they think of these savory morsels. Your taste buds will thank you!
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What Are Sweet Chili Chicken Bites?
The answer is often in your kitchen when looking for a quick and easy dinner. These Sweet Chili Chicken Bites are perfect for when you don’t know what to cook or want to save time.
They come together in minutes and can be served as an appetizer or a main dish with rice. As the name implies, these tasty bites feature chicken coated in sweet chili sauce and air-fried until they’re nice and crispy on the outside but juicy on the inside! It’s hard not to love this recipe because it is so simple yet delicious!
This is a great and easy meal in your air fryer!
Why You Will Love Sweet Chili Chicken Air Fryer
- Quick and Easy to Prepare: You can go from prep to plate in less time than it takes to preheat a traditional oven–perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavorful Sweet Chili Glaze: The sweet chili glaze coats the chicken beautifully, delivering a perfect balance of sweetness and heat.
- Versatile Serving Options: Whether serving it as a main course with rice and veggies or as a party appetizer, it’s amazing!
- Crowd-Pleaser: Its delightful combination of flavors and ease of preparation make Sweet Chili Chicken a sure hit for family dinners and social gatherings.
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Sweet Chili Chicken Bites
Here are the simple ingredients you will need:
Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.
- Chicken Breasts: Lean and protein-packed, chicken breasts are cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Flour: A light dusting of flour helps to create a crispy exterior on the chicken bites.
- Eggs: Eggs act as the binding agent for the flour and breadcrumbs.
- Rice Vinegar
- Fish or Soy Sauce: A splash of soy sauce in the sweet chili glaze introduces a savory umami flavor.
- Brown Sugar and Sambal Oelek: Coats the air-fried chicken in a sticky, sweet, and slightly spicy glaze that’s utterly addictive.
- Cornstarch and Water: Thickens the sauce.
- Seasonings: Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, and Sweet Paprika
How to Make Crispy Thai Sweet Chili Chicken in the Air Fryer
Here’s a simple guide to making this crowd-pleaser.
Cut chicken into 1 to 2-inch pieces, then dry them with a paper towel. Place the diced chicken breast into a bowl and add the salt, pepper, and paprika.
In one bowl, add flour. In another, add eggs (beaten with a fork). In the last bowl, add bread crumbs. Dip your chicken into flour, egg wash, and then put the bread crumbs.
As you coat your chicken, place them into a greased air fryer basket with cooking spray or use a reusable silicone liner. Spray the entire chicken with cooking spray, and set the temperature to 370 degrees F, air fryer setting for 5 to 8 minutes. (the internal temperature of the chicken will need to be 165 degrees F before you remove your chicken)
Depending on the air fryer you own, you may need to flip your chicken halfway during the cooking process. Mix the cooked chicken with the sauce right before serving.
Air Fryer Sweet Chili Chicken Bites Recipe Tips
- Juicy Chicken: The key to juicy chicken in the air fryer is not overcooking it! Use a meat thermometer to remove the chicken once it reaches 165 degrees F for best results.
- Chicken: Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast or Chicken Tenders will work best for this recipe. However, you can create a meater dish with boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Sauce: If you have never used Sambal Oelek before, it’s a red chili paste that is very common in Indonesia. If you like your Sweet Chicken Bites spiced, add some more. If you like it less spiced, add less.
- Size: Make sure to cut your chicken into equal-sized portions to air fry up simultaneously.
How To Serve Air Fryer Thai Sweet Chili Chicken
What do you serve with your sweet chili chicken bites? It’s a question that is often asked when people are making food. What should I put on the side of my chicken bites, or what should I dip them in?
I typically serve them with a bowl of Jasmine Rice, made in the Instant Pot or on the stove. You can also serve it with a healthy garden salad, air-fried broccoli, Air Fryer Zucchini Noodles, or even a simple Air Fryer Baked Potato.
Storing
This delicious, juicy chicken will be the star of your next dinner party. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two days. I recommend heating some sauce and microwaving on low power ( careful not to overcook it )
Air Fryer Sweet Chili Chicken Bites Recipe Faq’s
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe? Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but make sure it’s fully thawed before seasoning and coating to ensure even cooking.
What can I serve with Sweet Chili Chicken Bites? They pair wonderfully with steamed rice, vegetables, or as a party appetizer with toothpicks for easy serving.
How do I store leftovers? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Absolutely! Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs, and ensure your sweet chili sauce is gluten-free.
Is there a way to make this dish spicier? Yes, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sweet chili sauce or use a spicier chili sauce to enhance the heat.
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Air Fryer Sweet Chili Chicken Bites
Description
Ingredients
Sweet Chili Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
Sweet Chili Sauce:
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fish or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Sambal Oelek
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Serving: Sliced Green Onions, Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- Cut your chicken into 1 to 2-inch pieces, then dry them with a paper towel.
- Place the diced chicken breast into a bowl, and add the salt, pepper, and paprika.
- In one bowl, add your flour, in another bowl add your eggs (beaten with a fork and in the last bowl, add your bread crumbs.
- Dip your chicken into flour, then egg wash and then the bread crumbs.
- As you coat your chicken, place them into a greased air fryer basket, with cooking spray, or use a reusable silicone liner.
- Spray the entire chicken with cooking spray, and set the temperature to 370 degrees F, air fryer setting for 5 to 8 minutes. (the internal temperature of chicken will need to be 165 degrees F before you remove your chicken))
- Depending on the air fryer you own, you may need to flip your chicken halfway during the cooking process.
- Mix the cooked chicken with the sauce, right before serving.
- Garnish with the sliced green onions and sesame seeds, right before serving.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Notes
Nutrition
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Candy W.
This recipe is fantastic! I made it for dinner last night and while I didn’t have Sambal Oelek (and wasn’t up for running to the store), I used Pad Thai Sauce (jar) and kicked up the heat a bit with Sriracha. The chicken was oh-so tender and the sauce was scrumptious. Rather than rice, I served with rice noodles mixed with roasted veggies. Love your website!!