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A close-up of a bowl of delicious Chili Chicken served over white rice, garnished with green onions and featuring bell peppers.
Reda

Restaurant-Style Air Fryer Chili Chicken

Crispy air-fried chicken bites tossed in a sweet, spicy, and savory chili garlic sauce with bell peppers and onions. An irresistible Indo-Chinese classic made easier and healthier at home!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Indo-Chinese
Calories: 465

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken & Marinade
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 large egg white
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce low sodium recommended
  • 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch for coating
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour for coating
  • Cooking oil spray
For the Chili Garlic Sauce
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce low sodium recommended
  • 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • 2 tbsp red chili sauce e.g., Sriracha or chili-garlic paste
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sugar or honey
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper
  • 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water to make a slurry
For the Stir-Fry
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil or other neutral high-heat oil
  • 1 tbsp garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger minced
  • 2-3 green chilies slit lengthwise, adjust to taste
  • 1 medium onion cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 large bell pepper any color, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/4 cup green onions chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Wok or Skillet
  • Mixing Bowls

Method
 

Prepare and Air Fry the Chicken
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces, egg white, 2 tbsp soy sauce, ginger-garlic paste, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
  2. In a separate shallow dish, combine the 1/4 cup cornstarch and 2 tbsp all-purpose flour. Add the marinated chicken pieces and toss until each piece is fully coated. Shake off any excess flour.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray.
  4. Arrange the coated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd it (work in batches if necessary). Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with more oil spray.
  5. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until it is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. Set the cooked chicken aside.
Make the Sauce and Stir-Fry
  1. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, tomato ketchup, red chili sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, white pepper, and the 1/2 cup of water/broth. Set aside.
  2. Heat the sesame oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the minced garlic, minced ginger, and slit green chilies. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the cubed onion and bell pepper to the wok. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they are slightly tender but still crisp.
  4. Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the wok and bring it to a simmer. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  5. Give the cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water) a quick stir and pour it into the simmering sauce. Continue to stir until the sauce thickens, which should take about 1 minute.
Combine and Serve
  1. Add the crispy air-fried chicken to the wok with the thickened sauce. Gently toss everything together until the chicken is well-coated. Be quick to prevent the chicken from losing its crispiness.
  2. Turn off the heat. Garnish with chopped green onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

For the crispiest result, toss the chicken in the sauce just before serving. To make this without an air fryer, shallow fry or deep fry the coated chicken in oil at 350°F (175°C) until golden brown. Adjust the amount of red chili sauce to control the spice level. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, but the chicken will soften upon reheating.