Sweet Chili Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe
This Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs recipe offers a flavorful and easy way to prepare juicy boneless, skinless chicken thighs coated in a tangy and sweet Thai-inspired chili glaze. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, the chicken is seared to a golden brown and then simmered in a luscious glaze, making every bite deliciously satisfying. Garnished with fresh cilantro, green onions, sesame seeds, and lime wedges, it pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Thighs
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
Sweet Chili Glaze
- ½ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional, for heat)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then evenly season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and ginger powder. This will build the base flavor before cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the chicken thighs and sear for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Glaze: Using the same skillet, add the Thai sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, sriracha (if using), minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir well to combine and simmer the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld.
- Glaze the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken thighs to the skillet, tossing them to coat evenly in the glaze. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for an additional 2 minutes so it soaks up the flavors.
- Serve: Transfer the glazed chicken to a serving plate. Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and lime wedges. Serve immediately alongside rice, noodles, or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps achieve a nice sear and prevents steaming.
- You can adjust the amount of sriracha based on preferred spice level or omit it altogether.
- Use a non-stick or cast iron skillet for best searing results.
- Make sure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- This recipe pairs well with steamed jasmine rice or crunchy stir-fried vegetables.
Keywords: Sweet chili chicken, chicken thighs recipe, Thai chicken glaze, easy chicken dinner, skillet chicken thighs, sweet chili glaze
