Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- Black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
- Sriracha, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha to your preferred level of spiciness. Set aside a portion of this sauce to serve later with the cooked chicken, reserving the remainder for basting during cooking.
- Mix the seasoning: In another bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to taste. This seasoning mix will flavor the chicken deeply.
- Score the chicken: Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a deep criss-cross pattern into each chicken breast, being cautious not to slice all the way through. This technique allows the seasonings and sauce to penetrate deeply and helps the chicken cook more evenly.
- Season the chicken: Place the scored chicken breasts on the air fryer tray or basket. Generously season both sides and inside the cuts with the prepared seasoning mix, ensuring the flavors reach inside the slits.
- Baste with sauce: Brush the reserved basting sauce thoroughly over the chicken breasts, coating them well to impart moisture and flavor during cooking.
- Air fry the chicken: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Cook the chicken breasts for 15 to 20 minutes, or until fully cooked and juices run clear, adjusting time according to your air fryer model. Using aluminum foil to line the tray can ease cleanup.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite sides, such as caramelized onion butter roasted potatoes and buttered lima beans. Drizzle the reserved bang bang sauce over the chicken for extra flavor.
Notes
- You can cook fewer chicken breasts and still use the full amount of sauce; it keeps well for serving or leftovers.
- Lining the air fryer basket or tray with aluminum foil helps to reduce cleanup time.
- For variation, try this recipe using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- Make sure not to cut all the way through the chicken breasts when scoring to maintain juiciness.
- Adjust sriracha quantity in the sauce to balance spiciness to your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 to 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American / Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
