Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs
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Tantalizing Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs: A 35-Minute Asian-Inspired Delight

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Introduction

Bring the flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout to your dinner table with our Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs recipe! This dish combines crispy chicken thighs with a tangy, sweet, and savory sauce, all achieved with the convenience of air frying. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a perfect choice for a delicious weeknight dinner that’s sure to impress.

Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs on a white gold-rimmed ceramic plate with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy: Ready in just 35 minutes
  • Healthier option: Uses minimal oil while delivering authentic takeout flavor
  • Versatile: Great on its own, with rice, or in a stir-fry
  • Family-friendly: A crowd-pleasing flavor that both kids and adults will enjoy

Ingredients

For the chicken:

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs total)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the sweet and sour sauce:

  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

Optional for garnish: sesame seeds, sliced green onions

Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs Ingredients laid out on the white marble countertop

Kitchen Equipment Needed

Pro Tip: The Cosori Air Fryer ensures perfectly crispy skin while keeping the meat juicy, creating the ideal base for our sweet and sour sauce!

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
  2. In a small bowl, mix vegetable oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then rub them thoroughly with the oil and spice mixture.
  4. Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side up, ensuring they don’t overlap.
  5. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip the chicken thighs.
  6. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sweet and sour sauce. In a small saucepan, whisk together all sauce ingredients. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thickened (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.
  7. After flipping the chicken, cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Brush the chicken thighs generously with the sweet and sour sauce and cook for 2 more minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize.
  9. Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
  10. Drizzle with additional sauce and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired.
Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs Collage

Tips for Success

  • For extra crispy skin, pat the chicken thighs very dry before seasoning.
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary for the best results.
  • Reserve some of the sweet and sour sauce for serving to boost the flavor even more.

Variations

  • Spicy Sweet and Sour: Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
  • Pineapple Chunk Version: Add 1/4 cup of pineapple chunks to the air fryer during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs and the pineapple chunk variation on white gold-rimmed plates

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 380
  • Protein: 25g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fat: 24g
  • Fiber: 0.5g

Serving Suggestions

Serve these Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs with steamed white rice and stir-fried vegetables for a complete, balanced meal. For an extra special presentation, use these elegant White and Gold Serving Platters.

Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs plated

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container like these Glass Food Storage Containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-6 minutes, or until heated through. Drizzle with additional sauce if desired.

Related Recipes

If you enjoyed this Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs recipe, you might also like these recipes from our Air Fryer Chicken collection:

For more delicious air fryer chicken recipes, check out our Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Round-up Post or explore our Air Fryer Chicken Breast Round-up Post for a variety of air fryer chicken dishes.

Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs Conclusion

We hope this Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs recipe brings the flavors of your favorite Chinese restaurant right to your dinner table! It’s a perfect example of how air frying can create restaurant-quality meals with minimal effort and time. Don’t forget to share your sweet and sour creations with us on social media and let us know your favorite way to serve these delicious chicken thighs in the comments below.

bite of Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs on a gold fork

Happy air frying!

This recipe is part of our Air Fryer Chicken series. Discover more air fryer chicken recipes in our [Link to Air Fryer Chicken Round-up Post] or explore all our air fryer chicken collections in our [Link to Master Air Fryer Chicken Round-up Post].

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