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A close-up shot of a delicious chicken jalfrezi served in a white bowl with fresh peppers, onions, and cilantro.

Spicy Air-Fried Chili Chicken

This flavorful Indo-Chinese Chili Chicken features succulent chicken pieces air-fried to a perfect crisp, then tossed in a vibrant, spicy, and tangy sauce with colorful bell peppers and onions. A healthier twist on a classic!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Indo-Chinese

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade
  • 1.5 lbs Chicken Thighs boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground
  • 1 tsp White Vinegar
  • 1 Egg White large
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
For the Chicken Coating (Air Frying)
  • 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 tbsp Cornstarch
  • 1 tsp Red Chili Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1 tbsp Oil for brushing/spraying chicken
For the Chili Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
  • 1 tbsp Garlic finely minced
  • 1 tbsp Ginger finely minced
  • 2-3 Green Chilies slit lengthwise, adjust to heat preference
  • 1/2 cup Onion diced (1 small onion)
  • 1/2 cup Red Bell Pepper diced
  • 1/2 cup Green Bell Pepper diced
  • 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Red Chili Sauce like Sriracha or gochujang-based chili sauce
  • 1 tbsp Tomato Ketchup
  • 1 tsp White Vinegar
  • 1 tsp Sugar
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch Slurry cornstarch mixed with 3 tbsp water
  • 1/4 cup Water or Chicken Broth
For Garnish
  • 2 tbsp Spring Onions chopped, green parts only
  • 1 tsp Sesame Seeds toasted

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Large Skillet or Wok
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp Knife

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with soy sauce, ginger-garlic paste, black pepper, white vinegar, egg white, and salt. Mix well to ensure every piece is coated. Marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Air Fry the Chicken
  1. While the chicken marinates, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
  2. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, red chili powder, and salt for the coating. Dredge the marinated chicken pieces, a few at a time, into the flour mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated. Shake off any excess.
  3. Lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the basket. You may need to cook in batches. Lightly spray the chicken pieces with oil. Air fry for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Set aside.
Make the Chili Sauce
  1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic, ginger, and green chilies. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they are slightly tender-crisp.
  3. Pour in soy sauce, red chili sauce, tomato ketchup, white vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Add 1/4 cup of water or chicken broth and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  4. Whisk the cornstarch slurry once more, then gradually add it to the simmering sauce, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
Combine and Serve
  1. Add the air-fried chicken pieces to the thickened sauce. Toss gently to coat all the chicken evenly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
  2. Garnish with chopped spring onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

For extra spice, add a pinch of red chili flakes to the sauce. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can pan-fry or deep-fry the chicken instead of air frying, adjusting cooking times accordingly. To make ahead, prepare the chicken and sauce separately, then combine and heat just before serving.