Ingredients

4 chicken thighs (boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch chunks)

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp salt

1.5 tsp lemon juice

2 tsp avocado oil

1.5 tbsp corn starch

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise

1/4 cup sweet chili sauce

1 tbsp sriracha

1 tsp rice vinegar

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, combine paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, lemon juice, and avocado oil to create the marinade. Add the chicken thigh chunks and toss until evenly coated. Let the chicken sit in the marinade for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.

Step 2: While the chicken marinates, whisk together vegan mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and toasted sesame oil in a separate bowl. Taste and adjust sriracha for desired heat. Set aside two-thirds of the sauce for tossing the chicken, and reserve one-third for drizzling when serving.

Step 3: Dust the marinated chicken chunks with corn starch and toss gently to coat evenly. This will help create a light, crispy exterior when cooked.

Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 4 minutes. Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10 minutes. This step renders fat and crisps the exterior but does not fully cook the chicken yet.

Step 5: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and toss with two-thirds of the bang bang sauce, coating each piece thoroughly. Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 to 4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Usually, 3 minutes is sufficient but check for doneness.

Step 6: Transfer the cooked chicken to a serving plate and drizzle with the remaining reserved sauce. Serve immediately while warm and crispy.

Tips & Variations

Adjust the amount of sriracha in the sauce to control the heat level according to your taste.

For extra crispiness, spray the chicken pieces lightly with oil before air frying.

Serve over rice, salad, or alongside steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Use almond or coconut-based vegan mayo if you want to experiment with different flavors.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts cut into chunks. However, thighs tend to remain juicier and more flavorful after cooking.

Is it necessary to use an air fryer for this recipe?

While the air fryer helps achieve a crispy texture without deep frying, you can also bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper until fully cooked and crispy, flipping halfway through.