Easy Air Fryer Sticky Ginger Chicken (Best Recipe) (2024)

Make your favorite Chinese take-out at home with this Air Fryer Sticky Ginger Chicken. Sweet, spicy, savory, and ready in under 25 minutes!

If you know me by now, you know I love my air fryer, take-out…. and recreating restaurant staples. We have smashed all of those together for today’s recipe with our Air Fryer Sticky Ginger Chicken!

Not only is this just like you can get at a Chinese food restaurant (but better), but it is also quick and easy too!

Seasoned chicken tossed in cornstarch, air fried, and then tossed in a delicious sauce.

You can serve this over rice, fried rice, noodles, steamed veggies, or whatever you’d like.

Air fryer recipes keep popping up all over the place, it is no surprise why; this appliance isn’t going anywhere! If this is your first time using an air fryer, don’t worry, it is much easier than it might seem initially.

But I am still so shocked at all the different recipes you can make with them, the possibilities are endless, just like this fakeout Chinese takeout recipe.

Ready to make your favorite Chinese restaurant food at home? Start with this easy Air Fryer Sticky Ginger Chicken!

Some of our other favorite chicken recipes on our site include: Easy Spicy Pad Thai Recipe (with Chicken), Chinese Chicken Recipe, and Easy Copycat Panda Express Mushroom Chicken Recipe.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

1. Ready in about 25 minutes makes this a perfect quick weeknight meal option.
2. It can be served in various ways; over white rice, brown rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
3. Easily make it spicer to fit your taste.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):

• Chicken breast
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cornstarch
• Vegetable oil
• Red onion
• Garlic cloves
• Red chili pepper
• Red bell pepper
• Green beans
• Light soy sauce
• Honey
• Sweet chili sauce
• Ketchup
• Rice vinegar
• Fresh ginger
• Red chili flakes
• Green onions
• Sesame seeds

HOW TO MAKE GINGER CHICKEN:

1. In a large bowl, season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the corn starch and toss so all the pieces are coated.
2. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350 degrees f.
3. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and place the chicken into the basket, not touching, in a single layer. You will have to cook in batches.
4. Spray the chicken pieces generously with olive oil spray. Air fry chicken for 3 minutes on one side, then flip the pieces over and cook for another 3 minutes or until golden brown and an internal temperature reaches 160°F. Place them on a plate and repeat with other chicken pieces.

5. Whisk together the light soy sauce, chili sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, ginger, and red pepper flakes to make the sauce in a small bowl.
6. Add the chopped onions, garlic, and chopped red chili in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
7. Add the bell peppers and green beans. Stir fry it for a 2-3 minutes until the vegetables become tender.
8. Next, add the crispy chicken, pour the sauce, and simmer for 5 minutes; mix all the ingredients until the chicken is evenly coated and the sauce thickens. Stir frequently.
9. Serve hot over rice or your desired side with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onion.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

WHAT IS GINGER CHICKEN?

Ginger chicken is a dish made with chicken cooked in a ginger-flavored sauce. In this case, we use the air fryer and make a crispy breaded chicken to toss in the ginger chili garlic sauce.

I have seen it many times served with seared chicken instead of crispy chicken. I believe our version brings maximum flavor to the dish.

The sauce is typically made with ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar.

Other ingredients that may be added to the sauce include garlic, onions, and scallions.

DO I HAVE TO USE AN AIR FRYER?

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also pan-fry the chicken until golden brown.

Cook time will vary.

Drain the pan-fried chicken on paper towels before adding it to the skillet with the vegetables and sauce ingredients so you don’t add too much excess oil.

DO I HAVE TO USE OLIVE OIL SPRAY TO SPRAY MY AIR FRYER?

You don’t HAVE to use it; technically, any cooking spray will work – other than the kind with flour like Baker’s Joy.

There is a consensus that olive oil spray does less damage than other sprays. When I say damage, I mean there is a residue left over in the air fryer that won’t come out with washing.

I learned this from my own experience, and olive oil spray has never left any residue.

CAN I ADD ANYTHING?

Of course, use this recipe as a base to add your own personal touches to. Here are some suggestions:

• Add a little sesame oil to finish the dish for extra flavor
• Hot sauce for an extra kick
• Bok Choy
• Zucchini
• Roasted peanuts
• Any color bell peppers
• Broccoli

ARE THERE ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

Yes, there are some substitutions you can make.

• Chicken Breast – use boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders
• Honey – replace with brown sugar or granulated sugar
• Rice vinegar- you can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar

One thing I would not sub is dried ginger for fresh; definitely use fresh for this recipe.

HOW TO STORE:

Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Best served and eaten hot.

For best results, reheat in the microwave or skillet with a splash of water or stock until warm. I do not suggest reheating in the air fryer as it may burn.

Freeze for up to 3 months.

Place leftovers in the freezer in a freezer-safe container. To thaw, place the dish in the fridge overnight.

Ready to try your hand at air frying? Try this Ginger Chicken, the whole family will be in love!

If you’ve tried this GINGER CHICKEN, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!