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Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs – Better Than Panda Express Sweet Chili Chicken

Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs – Better Than Panda Express Sweet Chili Chicken

These Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs are packed with bold flavor, combining sweet, spicy, and savory notes in every bite. Juicy chicken thighs cook until tender and crispy, then get coated in a glossy sweet chili glaze made with soy sauce, sesame oil, and oyster sauce. The result is a rich, caramelized finish that rivals your favorite takeout—some might even say it’s better than Panda Express Sweet Chili Chicken. Best of all, this quick recipe comes together in under 30 minutes using an air fryer or oven. Serve it over fluffy jasmine rice or with fresh vegetables for a fast, satisfying lunch or dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 8 chicken thighs bone-in preferred, but boneless works too
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
Sweet Chili Glaze
  • ½ cup sweet chili sauce
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Method
 

    1. Heat the air fryer

    Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to warm up while you prepare the chicken.

    2. Prepare the chicken

    Use paper towels to pat the chicken thighs completely dry. This step helps the skin crisp up nicely during cooking. Place the chicken in a bowl and coat it with avocado oil, then sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and pepper evenly over each piece.

    3. Start cooking

    Arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket skin-side down. Cook for about 15 minutes so the chicken begins to crisp and render its fat.

    4. Mix the glaze

    In a small bowl, stir together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil until well combined.

    5. Add the sticky sauce

    Brush or spoon some of the glaze over the chicken. Continue cooking and reapply the sauce a few times so the chicken develops a rich, caramelized coating.

    6. Finish cooking

    Cook the chicken for another 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

    7. Optional crispy finish

    For extra color and stickiness, broil the chicken for 2–3 minutes at the end of cooking. Watch closely so the glaze doesn’t burn.

    8. Rest and serve

    Remove the chicken and allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving. Pair it with jasmine rice or your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

Helpful Notes

Oven Method:
Place the seasoned chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast skin-side down at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, flip, brush with glaze, and bake another 10 minutes until crispy.
Crispy skin tip:
Drying the chicken thoroughly before seasoning helps the skin turn golden and crisp.
Extra caramelization:
Broiling for the final couple of minutes intensifies the sticky glaze and gives the chicken a glossy finish.