Air Fryer Moist Oven Chicken
Effortlessly Make Moist, Sweet & Savory Oven Chicken at Home (Using an Air Fryer!)
Craving moist, baked chicken instead of fried? Make a clean, healthy oven-roasted chicken at home with wholesome ingredients, letting all the oil drip away! This recipe uses an air fryer for ultimate convenience.
Chicken Ingredients
- 900g prepared chicken (stewing chicken cut, chicken thighs, wingettes, or your preferred parts)
- A little cooking oil (for air fryer coating)
Sweet & Savory Oven Chicken Sauce
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligosaccharide)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or rice wine)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 Tbsp starch (cornstarch or potato starch)
- Pinch of herb salt or black pepper (to taste)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligosaccharide)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or rice wine)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 Tbsp starch (cornstarch or potato starch)
- Pinch of herb salt or black pepper (to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the chicken thoroughly under running water to remove any impurities. Make 2-3 deep cuts into the skin and flesh of the chicken. This helps the marinade penetrate better and prevents juices from escaping during cooking. If you don’t have stewing chicken, feel free to use chicken thighs or wingettes.
Step 2
Season the chicken evenly with herb salt or black pepper. Personally, I find that too much herb salt can overpower the chicken’s natural flavor, so I recommend just a light sprinkle, about 2-3 times. Black pepper is also a great option.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the oven chicken sauce. In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp corn syrup, 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, and 2 Tbsp minced garlic. Mix well until smooth. It’s important to ensure all ingredients are well combined and there are no lumps, excluding the starch for now.
Step 4
Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and gently toss to ensure every piece is coated evenly. Cover the chicken with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This marinating step allows the flavors to deepen and infuse into the chicken.
Step 5
After marinating, add 4 Tbsp of starch to the chicken and mix again to coat. This thin layer of starch will create a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside wonderfully moist when cooked.
Step 6
Time to prepare the air fryer. Lightly dampen a paper towel with cooking oil and wipe the inside of the air fryer basket. This prevents the chicken from sticking and helps it cook more evenly.
Step 7
Place the coated chicken pieces into the air fryer basket. Cook at 175°C (350°F) for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip the chicken pieces, reduce the temperature to 160°C (320°F), and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces and your air fryer model. To check for doneness, insert a skewer into the thickest part; the juices should run clear.
Step 8
Voilà! Your moist, tender oven chicken with a delicious sweet and savory glaze is ready. Enjoy it piping hot straight from the air fryer for the best experience!
