If you’re craving a crispy, golden chicken dish that balances sweet and tangy flavors, this Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe is just what you need. The combination of crispy chicken pieces and a luscious, homemade sweet and sour sauce will quickly become a favorite in your household. With the air fryer, you get the crispy texture without all the oil, making this dish both delicious and healthier than traditional frying methods.
The beauty of this recipe lies in the simplicity of preparation. With just a few basic ingredients, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality dish right at home. The air fryer ensures your chicken is perfectly cooked—crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside—while the sweet and sour sauce adds the perfect finishing touch. It’s an easy yet flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests at your next dinner party.
What You Need To Make This Recipe
Chicken Breasts: Chicken breasts are the star of this dish, providing lean protein that’s easy to cook and absorbs flavors beautifully. Cutting them into bite-sized pieces ensures they cook quickly in the air fryer and stay tender.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps create that crispy, golden coating on the chicken. When combined with flour and seasonings, it forms a crunchy exterior while keeping the chicken moist inside. It’s a key ingredient for that signature crispy texture.
All-Purpose Flour: Flour serves as the base for the batter that coats the chicken. It helps the cornstarch adhere to the chicken pieces, ensuring a crispy result after frying.
Eggs: Eggs provide moisture and help bind the flour and cornstarch to the chicken pieces. They create a smooth, uniform coating for a delicious crunch.
Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is a savory ingredient that enhances the flavor of the chicken and adds depth to the dish. It also helps to tenderize the meat, giving it that rich umami taste.
Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar adds the tangy and slightly sweet acidity that makes the sweet and sour sauce stand out. It balances the sweetness and saltiness, giving the dish its signature flavor.
Ketchup: Ketchup brings a touch of sweetness and thickness to the sauce. It’s the base of the sweet and sour sauce and complements the vinegar and soy sauce for a perfect balance of flavors.
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds the sweetness that makes the sauce “sweet” in sweet and sour. It also contributes to the rich, caramelized flavor that coats the chicken perfectly.
Garlic: Garlic is used to add a savory punch to the sauce. It enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish, creating a savory contrast to the sweetness of the sauce.
Ginger: Fresh ginger offers a warm, aromatic flavor that balances the sweetness of the sugar and the acidity of the vinegar. It adds a fragrant kick to the dish, making it even more vibrant.
Red Bell Pepper: Red bell peppers provide color and texture, adding a slight sweetness and crunch to the dish. They’re also a great source of vitamins and enhance the visual appeal of your meal.
Ingredients list
- 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for spraying)
How to Make Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Coating
In a bowl, combine the cornstarch and flour. Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs, then coat it with the flour-cornstarch mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly covered. This coating will make the chicken crispy once air fried.
Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they aren’t overcrowded. Lightly spray the chicken with olive oil to help it crisp up. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden and crispy.
Step 3: Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the sauce begins to thicken, about 3-4 minutes. Add the chopped red bell pepper and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Step 4: Combine the Chicken and Sauce
Once the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the chicken, tossing to coat the pieces evenly. Serve immediately with your favorite sides!
Tips for Making this Recipe
- Crispiness tip: Make sure to coat the chicken thoroughly with the cornstarch-flour mixture. The more evenly coated each piece is, the crispier the chicken will be.
- No air fryer?: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can also deep fry the chicken if you prefer.
- Add vegetables: For a more balanced meal, you can add more vegetables to the dish. Consider tossing in some broccoli or snap peas along with the bell pepper for added crunch and color.
- Sweetness adjustment: Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the sauce by adding more or less brown sugar, depending on your preference for sweetness.
- Leftovers: Store any leftover sweet and sour chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a quick crisp up!
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs work great for this recipe. They tend to be more tender and juicy, and they’ll crisp up nicely in the air fryer as well.
Can I make the sweet and sour sauce in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Just heat it up when you’re ready to use it.
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s best to use fresh chicken for optimal crispiness, but if you’re using frozen chicken, make sure to thaw it thoroughly before coating and air frying.
Is there a way to make this recipe spicier?
For a spicy kick, you can add some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or drizzle some sriracha sauce over the chicken before serving. Adjust to your desired heat level!