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Crispy Sweet Chilli Chicken

Crispy Sweet Chilli Chicken

This quick and easy Crispy Sweet Chilli Chicken recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner for when you are wanting to skip the takeaway and eat a comforting meal at home.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course main dish
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 380 kcal

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • frying pan
  • Medium bowl
  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

CHICKEN

  • 600 g boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon sea salt flakes
  • 0.5 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • 0.5 cup cornflour (cornstarch)
  • Oil, for frying see note 1

SWEET CHILLI SAUCE

  • 1 teaspoon freshly minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon freshly minced ginger
  • 0.5 cup sweet chilli sauce
  • 0.25 cup tamari or all-purpose soy sauce
  • 0.25 cup rice wine vinegar, plain white vinegar, apple cider vinegar or lime juice

TO SERVE

  • Steamed rice
  • 1 piece spring onion (scallion), finely sliced
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions
 

  • Place the chicken in a large bowl with the sweet paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, egg and cornflour. Mix the chicken well until the other ingredients form a paste around it. Set aside.
  • To make the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • Heat the oil over medium–high heat in a large, deep, heavy-based frying pan. Cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes or until it is cooked through and golden all over, turning once halfway through. Set aside on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
  • Drain the oil from the frying pan and wipe the pan clean.
  • Heat the pan over medium–low heat and add the sauce. Stir for 2–3 minutes until the sauce begins to bubble gently and thicken. Turn the heat off and return the chicken to the pan, stirring so that it is evenly coated in the sauce.
  • Serve the chicken immediately, heaped on top of steamed rice. Top with finely sliced spring onion and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
  • Optional: Add 1–2 tablespoons of boiling water (from the kettle) to the bottom of the pan once the chicken has been removed. Use a spoon to stir the water into the remaining sauce and use this extra sauce to pour over the completed dish.

Air fryer instructions

  • Coat the chicken in the egg, spices and seasoning as per the recipe – but don’t add the cornflour yet.
  • Once coated, dip each piece individually into the cornflour so it’s well covered. This step gives that signature crispy coating.
  • Spray the base of your air fryer basket with oil. Place the chicken in a single layer in the basket and spray generously with oil so the surface is completely covered.
  • Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 6–8 minutes, shaking the basket or turning the pieces halfway through cooking time, until golden and cooked through.
  • Meanwhile, make the sauce on the stovetop as per the recipe, then toss the crispy chicken through the sauce to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 28gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 250mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 2mg
Keyword chicken recipe, Crispy Sweet Chilli Chicken, Easy Recipe, takeout alternative, weeknight dinner
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