This Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken is an easy shortcut dinner that comes together with very little effort and way cheaper than ordering DoorDash! I used a prepackaged sweet and sour chicken meal that came with a packet of sauce that can be heated in the microwave, then cooked the chicken in the air fryer until hot and crispy.
To turn it into a complete meal, I made my own fried rice to serve alongside the chicken. The combination of crispy chicken, sweet and tangy sauce, and homemade fried rice makes an easy weeknight dinner that tastes like takeout without having to order it.
Do you like easy air fryer meals try out these - Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken Air Fryer, Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich, or Crispy Chicken Cobb Salad!
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Why This Works
Have you ever just wanted a quick takeout meal thats faster than ordering DoorDash? This prepackaged sweet and sour chicken meal makes this recipe incredibly convenient especially with the fried rice. Instead of breading and frying chicken from scratch, the chicken can go straight into the air fryer.
You could also take any brand of frozen breaded chicken (air fry that) and just use a good Sweet and Sour bottle.
The air fryer is perfect for reheating frozen or refrigerated breaded chicken because it helps the outside become crisp while heating the chicken through. You also do not need to add much, if any, oil.
The sweet and sour sauce is heated separately in the microwave and added after the chicken is cooked. This keeps the chicken crisp instead of allowing it to become soggy while cooking.
I like serving the chicken with homemade fried rice because it turns a simple convenience meal into a filling dinner. You can make that on a griddle or in a skillet while the chicken cooks.
Ingredients Needed
- Prepackaged Sweet and Sour Chicken: Use your favorite frozen or refrigerated sweet and sour chicken meal. The version I used included the chicken and a packet of sweet and sour sauce.
- Sweet and Sour Sauce: The included sauce can be heated according to the package directions and tossed with the cooked chicken.
- Cooked Rice: Use leftover cooked rice for the fried rice. Cold rice works especially well because it helps prevent the fried rice from becoming mushy.
- Eggs: Scrambled eggs add protein and texture to the homemade fried rice.
- Vegetables: Add your favorite fried rice vegetables, such as peas, carrots, corn, or diced onion.
- Soy Sauce: A little soy sauce adds savory flavor to the fried rice.
- Oil: Use a small amount of cooking oil to sauté the vegetables and eggs.
How to Make Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken
Start by preheating your air fryer to 380 degrees F.
Place the sweet and sour chicken pieces into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for about 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking. Cooking times can vary depending on the brand and whether your chicken is frozen or refrigerated, so check the package directions as needed.
While the chicken cooks, prepare the fried rice. Heat a little oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add your vegetables and cook until they begin to soften.
Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the beaten eggs. Scramble the eggs until cooked, then mix them with the vegetables.
Add the cooked rice and stir everything together. Drizzle in soy sauce and continue cooking until the rice is hot and lightly browned.
Heat the sweet and sour sauce according to the package directions. When the chicken is finished, transfer it to a bowl and toss it with the warmed sweet and sour sauce. Serve immediately with the homemade fried rice.
Pro Tips for Sweet and Sour Chicken
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Keeping the chicken in a single layer allows the hot air to circulate around the pieces and helps them become crisp.
For the best fried rice texture, use leftover refrigerated rice. Freshly cooked rice contains more moisture and can make fried rice softer.
Keep the sweet and sour sauce separate until the chicken is ready to serve. Tossing the chicken in sauce too early can make the crispy coating soften.
Every air fryer is a little different, so use the cooking instructions on your package as a starting point and adjust the cooking time if necessary.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover sweet and sour chicken and fried rice in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For the best texture, reheat the chicken in the air fryer rather than the microwave. Air fry at 350 to 375 degrees F until heated through and crisp.
Reheat the fried rice in a skillet or microwave until steaming hot. If the chicken and rice have already been combined, the microwave is the easiest option, although the chicken will not stay as crispy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the sweet and sour chicken over or alongside this Blackstone Fried Rice, homemade fried rice for an easy takeout-inspired meal.
You can also add steamed broccoli, green beans, or another favorite vegetable to the plate. For extra flavor, sprinkle the finished dish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds.
If you like a little heat, add red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the fried rice.
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Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Prep Time: 2 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 12 min
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fry
- Diet: Low Calorie
Ingredients
1 package frozen breaded chicken, such as chicken nuggets, chicken chunks, or popcorn chicken
1 cup store-bought sweet and sour sauce
Cooking spray, optional
Instructions
- Air fry the chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Place the frozen chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for about 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Cook until heated through and crispy.
- Heat the sauce: While the chicken cooks, warm the sweet and sour sauce according to the package directions or heat it gently in a small saucepan.
Notes
Serve over cooked fried rice.
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