Air fryer sweet and sour chicken is a delicious dish with a pleasant contrast in taste and texture. The sweet and sour sauce perfectly coats the chicken pieces, giving them a burst of flavor in every bite. With the help of an air fryer, you can achieve crispy chicken bites with less oil and without deep frying, making it a healthier alternative to traditional Chinese takeout.

This recipe has the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and tangy flavors, which complement the crispy chicken, creating a flavorful combination that will leave you addicted! In this blog, I will introduce you to how to make air fryer sweet and sour chicken, including the required ingredients, key steps, serving suggestions, and much more. Let’s jump right in!

Simple ingredients

Let’s look at what you’ll need for the chicken and the sweet and sour sauce:

For the chicken, you’ll need:

Skinless chicken breast: Chicken breasts are ideal for juicy and tender chicken pieces. They hold up well in cooking and provide great flavor.

Eggs: The egg creates a thin layer on the surface of the chicken, which helps retain moisture during air frying.

Cooking oil: Coating chicken with oil is a simple step that can improve the texture and flavor of your chicken. You can also use olive oil.

Cornstarch: Coating the chicken cubes in cornstarch is what gives them their crispy texture. It helps to create a light, crispy exterior when air frying.

Rice flour: Rice flour has a finer texture than all-purpose flour, which can contribute to a lighter coating on the chicken when air-fried. I have kitchen-tested it many times; it brings unique and crispy results every time!

Shaoxing cooking wine: Shaoxing wine is often used in Asian cooking to enhance the flavor of dishes. It adds a depth of umami that can elevate this recipe’s overall taste.

Salt and black pepper: To taste.

For the sweet and sour sauce, you’ll need:

Ketchup: Ketchup is commonly used in sweet and sour sauce recipes because it provides a rich, tomato-based flavor and a natural sweetness. It also has a thick and smooth consistency, which helps create a sauce with the desired texture.

Sugar: Sugar adds sweetness to the sauce, perfectly balancing the sour ingredients.

White vinegar: White vinegar provides a tangy, acidic component to the sauce, giving it its signature sour taste.

Water: Water thins out the sauce, making it easier to pour and coat the other ingredients evenly.

Cornstarch: Corn starch acts as a thickening agent, helping the sauce cling to the chicken pieces and giving it a glossy, sticky consistency.

Light soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory, umami flavor to the sauce, balancing out the sweet and sour elements.

Step-by-step cooking instructions

Start by cutting the chicken breast into small, bite-sized pieces/cubes.

Season the chicken cubes with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, toss the chicken cubes with egg, cornstarch, rice flour, and Shaoxing wine, making sure each piece is well coated.

Next, it’s time to make the sweet and sour sauce. In another mixing bowl, combine ketchup, sugar, rice vinegar, water, cornstarch, and light soy sauce. Mix well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated and there are no lumps of corn starch remaining.

Preheat your air fryer to 370°F and brush oil on the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.

Place the additional cornstarch in a shallow bowl. Dip the marinated chicken pieces with cornstarch, then arrange them in air fryer. Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece.

Air fry for 7 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through and giving it a good shake. Then air frying another 5-6 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown. Transfer it to a plate.

Heat the pre-mixed sauce over medium heat in a small saucepan, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.

Drizzle the sweet and sour sauce over the fried chicken.

Garnish the sweet and sour chicken with thinly sliced green onions if desired. Enjoy your homemade air fryer sweet and sour chicken!

Pairings with the sweet and sour chicken

Air fryer sweet and sour chicken pairs well with various side dishes, allowing you to create a customizable and complete meal. Serve it with white rice, fried rice, or even cauliflower rice, which will soak up the sweet and sour sauce, adding an extra layer of flavor to each bite. Stir fry vegetables, such as red/green bell peppers or any Chinese leafy greens, which add freshness, texture, and nutritional value to the meal.

Storing and reheating leftover sweet and sour chicken

If you have any leftovers, you can transfer any leftover air fryer chicken into a clean, airtight container. Remember to store the sweet and sour sauce separately so the chicken will not become soggy. Store the chicken and the sweet sour sauce in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

When you’re ready to enjoy your leftover sweet and sour chicken, there are a few ways you can heat it up. You can either microwave it in short intervals. (stirring in between), or you can heat the chicken in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through.

Ingredient substitutions

While air fryer sweet & sour chicken is already a delicious recipe, there are a few variations you can try to switch things up:

Chicken thighs: If you prefer dark meat, you can substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs. You can also use chicken tenderloins.
Corn starch: If corn starch is not readily available, you can use potato starch or tapioca starch as a substitute. They all work well as a thickening agent, providing a crispy, light texture to the chicken cubes.
Soy sauce: Light soy sauce can be used instead of dark soy sauce if you prefer a less intense flavor. I personally prefer light soy sauce, which has a milder taste and allows the sweet and sour sauce to shine!
White sugar: If you’re looking for alternative sweeteners, you can replace white sugar with honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, or agave nectar.
Fruity twist: Fresh pineapple chunks(or canned pineapple chunks) are traditionally served alongside to add extra sweetness to the dish.

Final thoughts

Air fryer sweet and sour chicken is a quick and flavorful dish you can easily prepare at home. With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can have a flavorful dish on the table in no time. It’s perfect when you’re craving some homemade Chinese food without the hassle of takeout. Let me know how your sweet, sour chicken turned out by leaving a comment below. Happy air frying!