Go Back
–+ servings
Close-up of sweet chili chicken bites garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds on a white plate.
Print Recipe Add to Collection
Rate this Recipe!

Sweet Chili Chicken Bites Recipe in the Air Fryer

Crispy panko-Parmesan chicken bites coated in a sticky homemade sweet chili glaze — ready in 35 minutes and zero deep-frying required. You get the crunch, the heat-sweet sauce pull, and a weeknight win that doesn’t wreck your kitchen.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 519kcal
Author: Kita Roberts

Equipment

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1½-inch pieces
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup fine breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • Cooking spray

Sweet Chili Sauce

  • ½ cup honey
  • ⅓ cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic very finely minced or grated
  • ½-1 tsp red pepper flakes to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the basket with oil.
  • Add chicken to a bowl and toss with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the eggs. In a separate small bowl, mix panko, breadcrumbs, and parmesan.
  • Dip each piece of chicken into the egg bowl, then press into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
    A piece of food being coated in breadcrumbs in a glass bowl, with a bowl of beaten egg visible in the background on a marble surface.
  • Place chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches). Lightly spray tops with oil.
    Breaded chicken pieces arranged in a single layer inside an air fryer basket on a marble surface.
  • Air fry at 400°F for 6 minutes, flip, spray again, then cook another 6–8 minutes until deeply golden and crispy. Chicken should reach 165°F internally.
    Round metal air fryer basket containing several pieces of breaded, cooked chicken resting on a white paper towel.
  • In a small saucepan, whisk together the sweet chili sauce ingredients.
  • Place sauce over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from heat once it reaches a thick but pourable glaze. It will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
    A saucepan filled with a dark sweet chili sauce containing visible red chili flakes, placed on a white textured surface.
  • Transfer hot, crispy chicken to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over top and toss quickly and gently to coat. Serve immediately while the coating is still crisp and the sauce is shiny and sticky.
    A clear glass bowl filled with breaded, seasoned, and chicken bites being sauced on a white marble surface.

Notes

  • For the best crispiness, cook in batches and don’t crowd the air fryer basket.
  • Toss in the sauce just before serving so the coating stays crisp.
  • Want to get ahead? Cook the chicken and keep the sauce separate until ready to serve.
Use a mix of panko and fine breadcrumbs. Panko gives you crunch, while the finer crumbs fill in the gaps so you get a better coating on every bite.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 519kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 199mg | Sodium: 1454mg | Potassium: 786mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 540IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 226mg | Iron: 3mg