Marination Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
For the Marinade:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For Coating:
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Garnish (Optional):
- Green onions, chopped
- Sesame seeds
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients until well combined. Add the chicken pieces, ensuring they are coated evenly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
3. Prepare the Coating:
- In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch with salt and black pepper.
4. Coat the Chicken:
- Take each marinated chicken piece, shaking off excess marinade, and coat it thoroughly with the cornstarch mixture.
5. Air Fry:
- Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, turning the pieces halfway through, or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy.
6. Check for Doneness:
- Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
7. Garnish and Serve:
- Once done, garnish the air-fried Chinese chicken with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
8. Serve with Sauce (Optional):
- If you want a saucier version, you can prepare extra marinade (without raw chicken) and cook it on the stovetop until it thickens. Drizzle this sauce over the air-fried chicken before serving.
9. Enjoy:
- Serve the crispy air fryer Chinese chicken over rice or with your favorite stir-fried vegetables. Enjoy the delicious flavors!
Note:
- Experiment with additional seasonings like five-spice powder or chili flakes for added flavor.
- Adjust the cooking time based on your air fryer model and the size of the chicken pieces.
- Always follow your specific air fryer’s instructions for preheating and cooking times.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 300
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
Note: Nutrition information is approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.