Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe - kinda healthy

Air fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken is a healthy and delicious twist on a classic Chinese takeout dish. Made with crispy air-fried chicken thighs and tangy sweet and sour sauce, this recipe is sure to become a new family favorite.

It is a great option for busy weeknights when you want to prepare a quick and easy dinner that’s also healthy and delicious. Additionally, it’s a great alternative to traditional fried chicken or for those who are looking for a healthier version of their favorite Chinese food.

This was inspired by my other recipe on this Honey Sesame Chicken, and pairs well with Garlic Fried Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe. 

Jump to:

• Why you will love this dish
• Ingredients
• How to make air fryer sweet and sour chicken
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• How to store and reheat
• 3 Top Tips for Success
• Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken - FAQs
• Related
• Pairing
• Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
• Food safety

Why you will love this dish

Here are three reasons why you will love this sweet and sour chicken air fryer recipe:

1. Healthier alternative: This recipe provides a healthier alternative to deep frying by using an air fryer to cook the chicken with less oil. Additionally, the sweet and sour sauce is made with low-sodium soy sauce and rice vinegar, which are healthier options compared to store-bought sweet and sour sauce that can be high in sodium and sugar.
   
2. Delicious taste: The combination of crispy air-fried chicken pieces and tangy sauce creates a flavor-packed dish that is sure to satisfy your taste buds. The garlic, ginger, red bell pepper, and red onion add depth and complexity to the dish, making it a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
   
3. Quick and easy to make: This recipe is quick and easy to make, making it a perfect option for busy weeknights or when you're short on time. With just a few simple ingredients and an air fryer, you can have a delicious and healthy meal on the table in less than 30 minutes of cooking time. Plus, the leftovers make a great lunch for the next day!

Ingredients

Air Frying

boneless skinless chicken

potato starch 

oil spray 

Cooking

garlic

ginger

red bell pepper

red onion

Sweet and Sour Sauce 

ketchup 

rice vinegar

low-sodium soy sauce

cornstarch 

sweetener - sugar or honey

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make air fryer sweet and sour chicken

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
• In a bowl, combine the chicken cubes with potato starch, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
• Spray the air fryer basket with oil spray. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the basket. Spray the chicken with oil spray.
• Cook the chicken for 10-12 minutes or until crispy and cooked through, flipping halfway through.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sweetener, water, and cornstarch.
• In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add the red bell pepper and red onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
• Pour the sweet and sour sauce into the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
• Add the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir until the chicken is coated in the sweet and sour sauce.
• Serve the air fryer sweet and sour chicken with steamed rice and enjoy!

Substitutions

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts and thighs: You can use tofu or seitan as a vegetarian option. For a different type of meat, you can try using boneless pork or beef.
  
• Potato starch: Cornstarch or arrowroot powder can be used as a substitute.
  
• Salt and pepper: Use any seasoning of your choice that complements the dish, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika.
  
• Oil spray: You can use any cooking oil of your choice, such as vegetable oil, olive oil, or coconut oil.

• Garlic and ginger: If you don't have fresh garlic or ginger, you can use garlic powder and ground ginger instead.
  
• Red bell pepper and red onion: You can use any vegetable of your choice, such as green bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or broccoli.

• Ketchup: Tomato sauce or tomato paste can be used as a substitute.
  
• Rice vinegar: Any type of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, can be used instead.
  
• Low-sodium soy sauce: Tamari or coconut aminos can be used as a substitute.
  
• Cornstarch: Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch can be used instead.
  
• Sweetener: I like using sugar for this recipe. But honey, monk fruit sugar, or any sweetener will work
  

Note: that substituting ingredients may alter the taste and texture of the dish, so it's best to use the original ingredients whenever possible.

Variations

Here are some possible variations on the air fryer sweet and sour chicken recipe:

1. Pineapple: Add canned pineapple chunks to the sweet and sour sauce for a sweet and tangy flavor. You can also use canned or fresh pineapple juice in place of the rice vinegar for a more tropical taste.
   
2. Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or Sriracha sauce to the sweet and sour sauce for a spicy kick. You can also use spicy ketchup or chili sauce instead of regular ketchup.
   
3. Honey: Replace the ketchup with honey and add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard for a sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce.
   
4. Teriyaki: Replace the sweet and sour sauce with a homemade or store-bought teriyaki sauce. You can also add sesame seeds and green onions for extra flavor.
   
5. Vegetarian: Replace the chicken nuggets with firm tofu or seitan for a vegetarian option. You can also add a variety of vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini, or broccoli to the mix.
   
6. Gluten-free: Use cornstarch or arrowroot powder instead of potato starch to make the dish gluten-free. Additionally, you can use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.

Equipment

• Air fryer 
• Knife 
• Cutting board
• Bowl
• Wok 

How to store and reheat

To store air fryer sweet and sour chicken, let it cool to room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container. You can store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

To reheat, you have a few options:

1. Air fryer: If you have an air fryer, you can reheat the chicken by placing it in the air fryer basket and air frying it at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
   
2. Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the chicken in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
   
3. Microwave: Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
   

Regardless of the method you choose, be sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached a safe temperature of 165°F before serving.

Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken - FAQs

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with air fryer sweet and sour chicken:

Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.