Spicy Maple Soy Chicken
Spicy Maple Soy Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 lemon, zested
For the Spicy Maple Soy Glaze
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chili crunch oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
For Garnish and Serving
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- 4 cups cooked rice, for serving, as needed
- 2 cups steamed vegetables, for serving, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, paprika, garlic powder, and lemon zest. Mix thoroughly by hand (wearing gloves is recommended) to ensure all chicken pieces are well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for best flavor.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
While the chicken marinates, prepare the glaze. In a medium non-stick pan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Pour in 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and rice vinegar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the chili crunch oil.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the simmering glaze, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 6
Air fry the chicken for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F), golden brown, and slightly charred.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 400
- 7
Once cooked, transfer the hot air-fried chicken directly into the pan with the prepared spicy maple soy glaze. Toss and stir the chicken until each piece is thoroughly coated in the sticky sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Serve the glazed chicken immediately over a bed of cooked rice and steamed vegetables. Spoon additional glaze over the chicken. Garnish with sliced green onions and a lemon wedge.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Maple Soy Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 lemon, zested
For the Spicy Maple Soy Glaze
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chili crunch oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
For Garnish and Serving
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- 4 cups cooked rice, for serving, as needed
- 2 cups steamed vegetables, for serving, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, paprika, garlic powder, and lemon zest. Mix thoroughly by hand (wearing gloves is recommended) to ensure all chicken pieces are well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for best flavor.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
While the chicken marinates, prepare the glaze. In a medium non-stick pan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Pour in 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and rice vinegar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the chili crunch oil.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the simmering glaze, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 6
Air fry the chicken for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F), golden brown, and slightly charred.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 400 - 7
Once cooked, transfer the hot air-fried chicken directly into the pan with the prepared spicy maple soy glaze. Toss and stir the chicken until each piece is thoroughly coated in the sticky sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Serve the glazed chicken immediately over a bed of cooked rice and steamed vegetables. Spoon additional glaze over the chicken. Garnish with sliced green onions and a lemon wedge.
⏱️ 1 min