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