This Air Fryer Sweet & Sour Chicken is about to become your new weeknight obsession, and for good reason. Crispy, golden chicken tossed with colorful bell peppers, juicy pineapple chunks, and a tangy homemade sauce that hits every single flavor note.
You get a complete meal packed with colorful veggies and sweet pineapple, and the whole thing is on the table in about 30 minutes. Whether you are cooking for a busy weeknight or just craving something fun and flavorful, this recipe delivers every single time.
Helpful Tips
- Don’t overlap the chicken: For the crispiest results, spread the chicken pieces in a single, even layer in the air fryer basket. Crowding the basket traps steam and you’ll end up with soggy instead of golden brown bites.
- Shake the basket halfway through: This one little step makes a big difference in how evenly your chicken browns. Give it a good shake at the halfway mark for each cooking round so every piece gets that gorgeous crust on all sides.
- Toss in sauce right before serving: For the best texture, pour the sauce over the chicken and veggies right when you are ready to eat. This keeps everything crispy and lets the sauce coat each piece without making things soggy.
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Air Fryer Sweet & Sour Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken thigh meat cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup pineapple cut into chunks
- 1 EACH red, green, and yellow bell pepper cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 yellow onion cut into bite-sized pieces
- sesame seeds for garnish
- 2 cups cooked rice optional
For the sauce:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 tablespoon less-sodium soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic minced
Instructions
- Add chicken to a resealable plastic bag. Add the cornstarch, seal, and shake until all the chicken is coated.
- Spread the chicken in an air fryer basket in an even layer, not overlapped. Spray with cooking oil.
- Air fry at 380°F for 7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. Chicken should be golden brown and crispy.
- Add the pineapple and veggies to the basket and cook for another 7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Meanwhile, add sauce ingredients to a small saucepan and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, until thickened.
- When the chicken and veggies are done, add them to a mixing bowl. Pour the sauce over the chicken and veggies in the bowl and stir to combine.
- Serve with sesame seeds. Can be served over rice, if desired.
Nutrition
Angela’s passion for discovering and experimenting with new flavors and recipes is at the heart of her culinary philosophy. Residing in a quaint Oregon town, she finds joy and inspiration in her kitchen. Angela has a lot of expertise in cooking and she eagerly shares her discoveries and unique creations with you.