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This easy air fryer sweet and sour chicken recipe is a total game changer! The chicken turns out juicy and tender on the inside, with a touch of crispiness on the outside, coated in a deliciously tangy sauce that is quick and easy!
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Easy Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
Not only is this recipe super easy, but it’s also a much less expensive option for takeout. The chicken has a great tangy flavor of sweet and sour, so even the picky eaters in our family love it. Short on time? No worries! You can use store-bought sauce too.
And if you want more fun Chinese takeout alternatives, try this easy recipe for Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken! Or, if you are just looking for more dinner ideas, check out this article, where we share our favorite top 50 air fryer chicken recipes.
Ingredients You Need:
- Chicken strips or chicken wings-cut into bite size pieces-this is the main ingredient of the recipe, and can be cut into any size you like. For white meat, use chicken breast, and for dark meat, use chicken thigh.
- Cornstarch- this helps crisps the outer coating of the chicken.
- sugar– or brown sugar-adds the sweet part to the sweet and sour. Brown sugar will add a touch of caramelization to the flavor.
- white wine vinegar or rice vinegar-keeps the meat tender and juicy, but also adds a tartness.
- soy sauce-adds a little bit of salty taste, and adds to the sour flavor of the recipe.
- garlic- or garlic powder
- pineapple juice-like Dole Pineapple Juice-this is the main sweetness to the sauce, along with the sugar.
- water-thins the sauce if necessary.
- corn starch-helps thicken the sauce so it isn’t too watery, and won’t leave the chicken soggy.
How to make Sweet and Sour Chicken in Air Fryer:
Step 1: Cut the chicken into cubed chunks, then toss in a large bowl with cornstarch and coat the chicken evenly.
Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer to 380º Fahrenheit. Then lightly brush or spray olive oil onto the bottom of air fryer basket. Place the chicken in the basket, in a single layer and be sure not to stack chicken or overcrowd the basket.
Step 3: Air fry at 380 degrees F for 14-18 minutes, until chicken pieces reach internal temperature of 165 degrees of F. Turn chicken pieces over halfway through cooking time.
Step 4: To prepare the sauce while chicken is cooking, add the sugar, white wine vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic, and pineapple juice into a small saucepan and whisk over medium heat until the sauce reaches a small boil.
Step 5: Once the sugar has completely dissolved in the mix, combine the cornstarch and water, then add to the sauce. Keep stirring on heat for about 10-15 seconds, then remove from heat. Allow the sauce to thicken for around 5 minutes.
Step 6: Once chicken is done cooking, toss with the sweet and sour sauce. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Check while air frying: I make this recipe in my Cosori 5.8 qt. air fryer. Depending on you air fryer size, and wattages, cooking time may need to be adjusted 1-2 minutes.
- Confirm doneness: When cooking meat, it is important to cook to safe temperature. When possible, using a meat thermometer will be very helpful to make sure chicken is fully cooked. Internal temperature of white meat should be 165 degrees F and dark meat 175 degrees F.
- Top with rice: Make this whole meal in the air fryer! Top cauliflower rice or this air fryer fried rice with these crispy chicken bites for a complete meal!
Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Variations
- Add extra sweetness: for a quick supply of pineapple juice, drain the juice from canned pineapple chunks. Then for extra flavor, texture, and sweetness, toss in a handful of the pineapple chunks to the sauce.
- Toss in Stir Fry Veggies: For extra crunchy bites of flavor, stir fry veggies, then toss them with the chicken and the sauce. This is a great way to get those vegetables into your meal!
FAQ’S
What can I serve with this dish?
Because this dish is so versatile, you can combine it with several options. A perfectly cooked chow mien or lo mien noodles, for example. Warm crispy chicken coated with sauce is rich in flavor and very tasty over a bowl of your favorite rice.
How do I store leftover sweet and sour chicken?
Store leftovers in airtight container or freezer storage bag. Refrigerate chicken for 3-5 days once it has completely cooled.
What other dishes can be made with sweet and sour sauce?
Sweet and sour sauce goes well with many different meats and vegetarian dishes. Egg rolls, chicken breast, or meatballs, for instance, are quick and easy snacks anytime.
We Would Love to Hear From YOU! Let Us Know What You Think! Be sure to leave a review of this recipe and give it a star rating. It lets us know how we are doing and lets others know they should try it!
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken, cut into strips or small pieces
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
Sweet and Sour Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic , minced
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into cubed chunks, then toss in a large bowl with cornstarch and coat the chicken evenly.
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 380º Fahrenheit. Then lightly brush or spray olive oil onto the bottom of air fryer basket. Place the chicken in the basket, in a single layer and be sure not to stack chicken or overcrowd the basket.
- Air fry at 380 degrees F for 14-18 minutes, until chicken pieces reach internal temperature of 165 degrees of F. Turn chicken pieces over halfway through cooking time. If using pre-made sauce, skip to the last step.
- To prepare the sauce while chicken is cooking, add the sugar, white wine vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic, and pineapple juice into a small saucepan and whisk over medium heat until the sauce reaches a small boil.
- Once the sugar has completely dissolved in the mix, combine the cornstarch and water, then add to the sauce. Keep stirring on heat for about 10-15 seconds, then remove from heat. Allow the sauce to thicken for around 5 minutes.
- Once chicken is done cooking, toss with the sweet and sour sauce. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can the white wine vinegar be substituted?… With what?
Hi Angie. You can substitute apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice. Hope that helps!