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- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup cornstarch - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1 teaspoon paprika - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 large eggs (beaten) - 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce - Fresh cilantro for garnish Gathering the right ingredients makes cooking fun. I love to use boneless chicken thighs for their juicy texture. The flour and cornstarch mix helps create a crispy layer. Garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika give the chicken a nice flavor boost. Don't forget salt and pepper to enhance everything. I always beat the eggs until smooth for a great coating. The sweet chili sauce is the star here, combined with honey and soy sauce. These three add a sweet and savory touch to the chicken bites. Finally, fresh cilantro brightens up the dish when you serve it. Each ingredient plays a role in making these sweet chili chicken bites truly special. First, you need to season the chicken. Use 1 pound of boneless chicken thighs. Cut them into bite-sized pieces. In a big bowl, add the chicken. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Don't forget salt and pepper to taste. Mix well until every piece gets coated with the spices. Next, set up your breading station. Grab two shallow dishes. In one, put 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup of cornstarch. Mix them together. In the second dish, beat 2 large eggs until smooth. This will be your egg wash. Now it's time to bread the chicken. Take a piece of the seasoned chicken and dip it in the flour and cornstarch mix. Make sure all sides are covered. Shake off any extra flour. Then, dip the chicken into the beaten eggs. Let any extra egg drip off. For a thicker crust, you can dip it back into the flour mix for a double coating. Before cooking, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. This helps the chicken become crispy. Place the breaded chicken in the air fryer basket. Make sure not to overcrowd them. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 12 to 15 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to ensure all sides cook evenly. While the chicken cooks, prepare the sweet chili sauce. In a small saucepan, mix 1/2 cup of sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 1 tablespoon of low-sodium soy sauce. Heat over medium heat. Stir gently until the sauce warms up and all flavors mix well. Once the chicken bites are done, take them out of the air fryer. Transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the warm sweet chili sauce over the chicken. Gently toss until every piece is nicely coated. Serve the chicken hot, and sprinkle fresh cilantro on top for color and flavor. Enjoy your crispy delight! To get the best crispiness from your sweet chili chicken bites, spacing matters. Place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer. This helps hot air circulate around each piece. It’s key for even cooking and crunchiness. Using cooking spray is also important. Spray the chicken lightly before cooking. This adds a nice golden layer without extra oil. A little spray goes a long way in achieving that perfect crunch. Want to amp up the heat? Add chili flakes to the mix before breading the chicken. You can also drizzle sriracha on the cooked bites for a spicy kick. There are other sauce options too! Try mixing the sweet chili sauce with hot sauce for a fun twist. You can even experiment with a spicy peanut sauce for a unique flavor. Serve these chicken bites with fresh vegetables for a balanced meal. Carrot sticks or cucumber slices work great. For a fun presentation, place the chicken bites on a colorful plate. Add a sprinkle of chopped cilantro on top. This not only looks nice but adds flavor too. You can pair these bites with rice or a fresh salad for an easy meal. {{image_4}} You can switch up the main protein in this dish. If you want a lighter option, try tofu. Just press and cube it. For seafood lovers, shrimp works great too. It cooks fast and takes on flavor well. If you need a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour and cornstarch. These will give you a similar crunch without the gluten. To make your sweet chili chicken bites even better, think about adding herbs or spices. Fresh basil or cilantro can brighten the dish. If you like heat, toss in some red pepper flakes. For a twist, try mixing in different sauces. Teriyaki or barbecue sauce can give you a new flavor profile. Don't be afraid to experiment. You can create your own delicious blend! To keep your sweet chili chicken bites fresh, store them in an airtight container. Place a paper towel in the container to absorb moisture. This helps maintain crispiness. Refrigerate them within two hours of cooking. They will stay good for about three days in the fridge. When it’s time to enjoy your leftovers, the air fryer is your best friend. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Reheat the chicken bites for about 5-7 minutes. This helps them get crispy again. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can use an oven. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C) and place the chicken on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. This will also help them stay crunchy. Enjoy your tasty bites! Yes, you can use chicken breast. Chicken breast is leaner than thighs. This can make the bites less juicy. Adjust cooking time to ensure they stay moist. These bites stay fresh for about three days in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container. Reheat them in the air fryer for best results. You can use sriracha mixed with honey. This mix gives heat and sweetness. Another option is a teriyaki sauce for a different flavor. Yes, you can bake them. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. They may not be as crispy as air-fried. Check the chicken's internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (75°C). You can also cut a piece open. The meat should be white and juices should run clear. This blog post outlines a delicious sweet chili chicken bites recipe. You learned about the key ingredients, from chicken thighs to herbs. I provided step-by-step instructions for preparing, breading, and cooking the chicken. Tips for crispiness and serving ideas were shared for better results. Finally, I covered storage options and answered common questions for your ease. These bites are easy to make and perfect for any meal. Enjoy experimenting with flavors!

Air Fryer Sweet Chili Chicken Bites

Indulge in the crispy goodness of air fryer sweet chili chicken bites! This easy recipe combines tender chicken with a flavorful breading and a delicious sweet chili sauce that will have everyone coming back for more. Perfect for game days or a quick meal, these bites are not only tasty but also quick to prepare. Click through to discover how to make this irresistible dish that will impress your family and friends!
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Ingredients
  

1 lb (450g) boneless chicken thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon paprika

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 large eggs, beaten until smooth

1/2 cup sweet chili sauce

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

Fresh cilantro, finely chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

Prepare the Chicken: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly until all chicken pieces are well-coated with the spice mixture.

    Set Up the Breading Station: Create a breading station by placing the all-purpose flour and cornstarch in one shallow dish and the beaten eggs in a separate shallow dish.

      Bread the Chicken: Start by dipping each seasoned chicken piece into the flour and cornstarch mixture, ensuring that all sides are coated; shake off any excess. Next, dip the floured chicken into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess egg to drip off. For a thicker crust, return the chicken to the flour and cornstarch mixture for a second coating, ensuring an even layer.

        Preheat the Air Fryer: Begin preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for approximately 5 minutes to ensure the chicken crisps up nicely.

          Cook the Chicken: Arrange the breaded chicken bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd them. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray for additional crispiness. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until the bites are golden brown and cooked through. Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to promote even cooking.

            Prepare the Sauce: While the chicken is air frying, create the sweet chili sauce by combining the sweet chili sauce, honey, and soy sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently until the sauce is heated through and all ingredients are well-integrated.

              Toss in Sauce: Once the chicken bites are done, transfer them into a large mixing bowl. Pour the warmed sweet chili sauce over the chicken and gently toss until all pieces are perfectly coated.

                Serve and Garnish: Serve the sweet chili chicken bites immediately while hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for a burst of color and flavor.

                  Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4