Indo-Chinese Crispy Air Fryer Chicken
This crispy air fryer chicken recipe recreates restaurant-style Indo-Chinese chili chicken using minimal oil. Juicy chicken bites are coated in cornstarch, air fried until golden, and tossed in a spicy soy-garlic glaze for bold flavor.
Equipment
- 1 Digital kitchen scale
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 High-quality air fryer (Ninja or similar)
- 1 Silicone spatula
- 1 Small saucepan
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 500 g boneless chicken thigh cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp rice flour optional for extra crunch
- 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- ½ tsp ginger paste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 egg white
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
Indo-Chinese Chili Sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp ginger minced
- 2 green chilies sliced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp chili sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
- ½ tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp cornstarch slurry
Garnish
- Spring onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, chili powder, pepper, egg white, and cornstarch.
- Mix until every piece is evenly coated.
- Let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes.
Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer
- Set the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and preheat for 3 minutes.
- Preheating helps the coating crisp instantly.
Step 3: Air Fry the Chicken
- Lightly spray the basket with oil.
- Place chicken pieces in a single layer.
- Air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
- The chicken should be golden, crisp, and sizzling.
Step 4: Make the Chili Sauce
- Heat sesame oil in a small pan.
- Add garlic, ginger, and green chilies. Stir for 30 seconds.
- Add soy sauce, ketchup, chili sauce, sugar, and water.
- Let it simmer briefly.
- Add cornstarch slurry to thicken.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
- Add crispy chicken to the sauce and toss until coated.
- Garnish with spring onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately while hot and crunchy.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
Estimated nutritional values for 1 serving.- Calories: 310 kcal
- Protein: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 3 g
Nutrition Notes
- Air frying uses significantly less oil than deep frying, which helps reduce overall fat and calories.
- Chicken thighs provide high-quality protein, making this dish satisfying and muscle-friendly.
- Using cornstarch instead of heavy batter keeps the coating light while still achieving that signature crunch.
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredient brands and portion sizes. This video is for reference only and may not match the exact recipe instructions provided in this article.