Description
Sweet chili chicken and brussels sprouts make dinner a total breeze when you’re craving something quick and packed with flavor. Crispy chicken gets tossed with caramelized brussels sprouts and a zesty sauce that brings serious excitement to your weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Sauces and Seasonings:
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Vegetables and Garnish:
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Combine ½ cup sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes in a medium bowl. Whisk until your marinade is smooth and well-blended.
- Slice 1 pound chicken into bite-sized pieces. Submerge chicken completely in marinade, ensuring each piece gets coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to absorb maximum flavor.
- Heat your oven to 400°F. Spread 1 pound halved Brussels sprouts on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper across them. Roast for 15-20 minutes, turning midway to ensure even caramelization.
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dust chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon cornstarch, creating a light, crispy coating.
- Arrange chicken pieces in air fryer basket, ensuring they’re not overcrowded. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking basket halfway through. Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F and exterior looks golden and crisp.
- Transfer chicken to serving bowl. Optional: Drizzle with extra sweet chili sauce. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately alongside roasted Brussels sprouts.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor, up to 8 hours in the refrigerator to let the sweet and spicy sauce really penetrate the meat.
- Cornstarch coating helps create an extra crispy exterior on the chicken, so don’t skip this step and shake off any excess before air frying.
- For a lower-carb version, replace sweet chili sauce with a sugar-free alternative or use hot sauce mixed with a small amount of sugar substitute.
- Ensure Brussels sprouts are dry before roasting to help them crisp up and caramelize instead of steaming in the pan.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 27-35 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 374 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 770 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg