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Merry

Crispy Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

These Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a perfectly balanced sweet, savory, and slightly spicy glaze. Cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer, this dish is quick, easy, and packed with bold flavors. Whether you're making a weeknight dinner or a meal-prep favorite, these chicken thighs will become a new go-to recipe!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 -6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:
  • 6 bone-in chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Sticky Glaze:
  • ½ cup sweet chili sauce
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken:
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel to ensure crispy skin.
Season the Chicken:
  1. In a small bowl, combine the avocado oil, lemon pepper, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Rub this mixture evenly over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated.
Air Fry the Chicken:
  1. Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side down.
  2. Air fry at 375°F for 15 minutes.
Prepare the Sticky Glaze:
  1. While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil in a large bowl until well combined.
Glaze and Continue Cooking:
  1. After 15 minutes, remove the chicken from the air fryer and dip each piece into the sticky glaze, ensuring thorough coating.
  2. Return the glazed chicken to the air fryer, skin side up, and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
  3. For an extra crispy finish, you can broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
Serve:
  1. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes.
  2. Serve over a bed of jasmine rice or with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes after air frying.
  • If using boneless thighs, reduce the cooking time by 3-5 minutes.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes.
  • For a gluten-free option, swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos.

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