Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

Air fryer sweet and sour chicken brings a delightful twist to a family favorite. It’s crispy, tender, and bursting with flavor. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick and delicious. The bright, tangy sauce makes it a hit with both kids and adults!

Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

This sweet and sour chicken recipe is a fantastic choice for families. It’s simple to prepare, requiring everyday ingredients you likely have on hand. Plus, it cooks quickly in the air fryer, which means less time in the kitchen and more time with your loved ones. Its flavorful sauce adds a delicious kick, making dinnertime feel special.

How to Make Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

Making this dish is easy and straightforward. Start by marinating the chicken for a short time. Then, cook it in the air fryer for a crispy finish. Preparing the sauce is just as simple, and it comes together in one pan. With minimal hands-on time, you’ll have a satisfying meal ready in no time.

What You Need

Ingredients for Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut to 1" (2-cm) pieces
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce (or soy sauce)
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons minced ginger
• 1/2 small white onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped (I used a mix of colors in this recipe)

Step-by-Step

1. Combine chicken pieces, vegetable oil, and salt in a big bowl. Mix well and let marinate for 10 minutes.
2. When ready to cook, add cornstarch to the chicken. Stir to coat the chicken until it forms an uneven coating with a little dry cornstarch left unattached.
3. Place the chicken pieces into your air fryer basket (or tray), without overlapping. Cook in batches if needed.
4. Spray oil onto the chicken until there’s no dry cornstarch on the surface. Cook in the air fryer at 450°F (230°C) for 8 minutes, until the chicken turns pale yellow.
5. Flip the chicken (or shake the air fryer basket) and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, until turning golden. Transfer all the chicken pieces to a big plate to cool off slightly.
6. Meanwhile, mix all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
7. When the chicken is cooked, prepare the sauce: Heat oil in a large skillet until hot. Add garlic and ginger. Cook and stir a few times until it releases its fragrance.
8. Add the bell pepper and white onion. Stir and cook for 30 seconds.
9. Stir the sauce again to dissolve the cornstarch completely. Pour into the pan. Stir and cook until it thickens.
10. Add back the chicken pieces. Stir to coat chicken evenly with sauce. Transfer everything to a plate immediately. Serve hot as a main dish.

How to Serve Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

Serve this sweet and sour chicken over fluffy white rice or alongside steamed veggies for a balanced meal. You can also add a sprinkle of sesame seeds or chopped green onions for extra flavor and color. This dish is great for family dinners, casual gatherings, or even a cozy night in.

How to Store Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

To keep leftovers fresh, store the chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay good for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.

Recipe Tips

• Marinate the chicken: This helps infuse flavor and keep it tender.
• Even coating: Try to coat the chicken evenly with cornstarch for a crispy texture.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking.
• Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a bit more brown sugar.
• Serve immediately: This dish tastes best fresh from the skillet for that crispy texture.

Variations & Swaps

• Sweetness: Swap brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different sweet flavor.
• Vegetable mix: Add broccoli or snap peas to the vegetables for more nutrients and crunch.
• Protein: Use shrimp or tofu instead of chicken for a tasty alternative.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can marinate the chicken a few hours ahead or even overnight. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator.

Can I freeze sweet and sour chicken?
Absolutely. After cooking and cooling, place the chicken in a freezer-safe container. It will last for about a month.

What’s the best way to reheat this dish?
You can reheat it in the microwave or oven. If using the oven, set it to 350°F (175°C) and bake until warmed through.

Can I substitute the Shaoxing wine?
Yes, you can use dry sherry as a substitute. If needed, chicken broth can work as well, though it will alter the flavor slightly.

What can I serve with this dish?
This sweet and sour chicken pairs wonderfully with white rice, fried rice, or a simple green salad. You can also consider serving it with dumplings for a complete meal.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Air fryer sweet and sour chicken is a crispy, tender dish bursting with flavor, perfect for busy weeknights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 14 minutes mins

Total Time 29 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Asian, Chinese

Servings 4 servings

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

  

Chicken Preparation

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut to 1" (2-cm) pieces
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup cornstarch

Sauce Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce (or soy sauce)
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Vegetables

• 1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil) For frying
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons minced ginger
• 1/2 small white onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped (I used a mix of colors in this recipe)

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Combine chicken pieces, vegetable oil, and salt in a big bowl. Mix well and let marinate for 10 minutes.
• When ready to cook, add cornstarch to the chicken. Stir to coat the chicken until it forms an uneven coating with a little dry cornstarch left unattached.

Cooking

• Place the chicken pieces into your air fryer basket (or tray), without overlapping. Cook in batches if needed.
• Spray oil onto the chicken until there’s no dry cornstarch on the surface. Cook in the air fryer at 450°F (230°C) for 8 minutes, until the chicken turns pale yellow.
• Flip the chicken (or shake the air fryer basket) and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, until turning golden. Transfer all the chicken pieces to a big plate to cool off slightly.

Making the Sauce

• Meanwhile, mix all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
• When the chicken is cooked, prepare the sauce: Heat oil in a large skillet until hot. Add garlic and ginger. Cook and stir a few times until it releases its fragrance.
• Add the bell pepper and white onion. Stir and cook for 30 seconds.
• Stir the sauce again to dissolve the cornstarch completely. Pour into the pan. Stir and cook until it thickens.
• Add back the chicken pieces. Stir to coat chicken evenly with sauce. Transfer everything to a plate immediately. Serve hot as a main dish.

Notes

Serve this sweet and sour chicken over fluffy white rice or alongside steamed veggies for a balanced meal. You can also add a sprinkle of sesame seeds or chopped green onions for extra flavor and color. This dish is great for family dinners, casual gatherings, or even a cozy night in. To keep leftovers fresh, store the chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to a month.

Keyword Air Fryer, comfort food, family dinner, quick meals, Sweet and Sour Chicken