Chilli Garlic Chicken: A Flavorful Air Fryer Delight

If you’re craving a juicy, sticky, and spicy chicken dish, then my Chilli Garlic Chicken is just what you need! This air fryer recipe is not only easy but also super delicious, with the perfect balance of heat from sriracha and chili flakes, and savory flavors from garlic and soy sauce. The best part? It’s cooked in the air fryer, making it a healthier option while still delivering that crispy, golden perfection. Serve it with some steamed rice and vegetables, and you’ve got yourself a meal that everyone will love!

Method

Start by preparing the chicken for marination. Scoring the chicken legs with a knife is essential as it allows the marinade to deeply penetrate the meat, enhancing its flavor. Make 2-3 shallow cuts on each leg, ensuring they are not too deep but enough to allow the marinade to seep in. Once scored, prepare the marinade by mixing all the listed ingredients: all-purpose seasoning, paprika, garlic granules, onion granules, chili flakes, soy sauce, sriracha, sweet chili sauce, and olive oil in a bowl. Coat the chicken legs generously with the marinade, ensuring it gets under the skin and inside the cuts. After the chicken is well-coated, refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop. For a deeper flavor, marinating overnight is highly recommended.

Once marinated, preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F). While the air fryer heats up, arrange the marinated chicken legs in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Set the timer for 30 minutes. Once cooking begins, flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and a crispy skin on both sides. As the timer approaches the last 5 minutes, glaze the chicken with 1 1/2 tablespoons of sriracha. This will add a shiny, spicy finish to the chicken, intensifying the flavor and giving it that characteristic glossy look.

Once the air fryer cycle is complete, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The chicken is done when it reaches 75°C (165°F) inside. If it’s not yet fully cooked, give it a few more minutes in the air fryer. After confirming that the chicken is properly cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes.Finally, garnish the chicken with freshly sliced spring onion greens to add a burst of color and freshness. Serve your Chilli Garlic Chicken with a side of steamed rice and vegetables for a well-rounded, tasty meal. Enjoy the crispy, spicy, and savory flavors of this easy-to-make dish!

Necessary Tools

• Air fryer
• Meat thermometer
• Mixing bowl
• Basting brush
• Tongs or spatula

Chilli Garlic Chicken: A Flavorful Air Fryer Delight

Recipe by Troy Jorge

0.0 from 0 votes

Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

1

hour 

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

30

minutes

Ingredients

• 4 Chicken Legs (with or without skin)

• For the Marinade

• 1 tsp All-purpose seasoning

• 1 tsp Paprika

• 1 tsp Garlic granules

• 1/2 tsp Onion granules

• 1/4 tsp Chilli flakes

• 1 tbsp Soy sauce

• 1 tbsp Sriracha

• 1 tbsp Sweet chili sauce

• 1 tbsp Olive oil

• For the Glazing:

• 1 1/2 tbsp Sriracha

• For Garnish:

• Spring onion greens, sliced

Directions

• Start by scoring the chicken legs with a knife. This helps the marinade penetrate the meat and gives it more flavor. Then, mix all the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl. Coat the chicken legs well with the marinade, making sure to get under the skin and into the cuts. Cover the chicken and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour, or overnight for even more flavor.
• Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and set the timer for 30 minutes. Once the air fryer is ready, place the marinated chicken legs onto the tray. Close the drawer and let it cook, flipping the chicken halfway through.
• When there are 5 minutes left on the timer, brush the chicken with some sriracha to create a nice glaze. This step adds that extra kick of heat and a beautiful glossy finish to the chicken.
• Once the cooking cycle is complete, use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of at least 75°C (165°F). If the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the air fryer.
• Garnish with sliced spring onion greens for a fresh, crunchy topping. Serve your Chilli Garlic Chicken with steamed rice and vegetables, and enjoy!

Notes

• When scoring the chicken, make sure not to cut too deep, just a few shallow cuts will do the trick to allow the marinade to soak in.
• Don’t skip marinating the chicken; it allows the flavors to penetrate deeply and gives you that juicy, tender texture.
• Make sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking it.
• If you don’t want the chicken to be too spicy, reduce the amount of sriracha or chili flakes in the marinade.

Serving Suggestions

This Chilli Garlic Chicken pairs wonderfully with a side of fluffy steamed rice and your favorite steamed vegetables, like broccoli or carrots. For an extra punch, you can serve it with a tangy dipping sauce or drizzle some extra sriracha over the top if you like it spicy.

Fun Fact

Did you know that Sriracha, a popular hot sauce made from chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, sugar, and salt, is not only delicious but also packed with antioxidants? It helps boost your metabolism and can even help lower blood pressure!

Conclusion

This Chilli Garlic Chicken is a game-changer! With its perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors, it’s a dish everyone will enjoy. Plus, cooking it in the air fryer makes it healthier and quicker than traditional methods. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, this recipe is sure to impress. Give it a try, and enjoy this easy, flavorful meal in no time!