Air Fryer Hoisin Chicken Skewers
I make these air fryer hoisin chicken skewers on repeat because they are so easy and tasty. I turn mine into a rice bowl with some fresh vegetables for a complete meal.
Quick Video
Key Ingredients
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
Using chicken thighs in this recipe makes it very forgiving because you don’t have to worry about leaner breast meat getting too dry. The juicy, richer flavor of the thighs combined with the hoisin sauce gives this a great taste.
Hoisin Sauce
This dark, savory-sweet sauce gives the chicken its signature flavor. Hoisin’s complex notes of sweetness and saltiness pair perfectly with the spices.
Five Spice Powder
A blend of five warm spices often found in Chinese cuisine, it adds depth and aromatic warmth. If you don’t keep five spice powder in stock in your spice cabinet, you can make your own by combining cinnamon, star anise, fennel seeds, peppercorns, and cloves. You’ll be able to find recipes online for exact proportions.
Soy Sauce
A balance of regular soy sauce and dark soy sauce (optional) takes care of our salt component and if you use the dark soy sauce, also lends color to the marinade, giving us a very appetizing deep browning to the chicken.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
In a medium bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, five-spice powder, honey, garlic powder, and ground ginger until well combined. This rich and aromatic mixture will deeply flavor your chicken pieces.
Step 2: Reserve Some Marinade
Before marinating the chicken, scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the marinade and set it aside. You’ll use this for brushing the skewers during cooking to give them a sticky, caramelized finish.
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken
Place the chicken thigh pieces in the bowl with the remaining marinade, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop, but no more than 2 hours.
Step 4: Preheat Your Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (193°C). Preheating helps ensure even cooking and crispy edges.
Step 5: Assemble the Skewers
Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers. If you’re using bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
Step 6: Cook the Skewers
Arrange the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. This ensures even cooking and crispy exteriors.
Step 7: Brush with Reserved Marinade
In the final few minutes of cooking, brush the reserved marinade onto the chicken skewers. This step enhances flavor and creates a glossy, sticky glaze.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Remove the skewers from the air fryer and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite sides, such as steamed rice or a crisp salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe without an air fryer?
Yes! You can bake the skewers in an oven preheated to 400°F (193°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, or cook them on a grill for a smoky flavor.
Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?
You can make this with chicken breast but you’ll be sacrificing a bit of flavor and tenderness. Adjust the cooking time down so the chicken breast doesn’t dry out.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
Marinate for at least 30 minutes, but for more intense flavor, you can marinate it for up to 2 hours.
If you enjoyed making these Hoisin Chicken Thigh Skewers, please leave a rating and comment below to let us know how it turned out! We’d love to hear your feedback.
Air Fryer Hoisin Chicken Thigh Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1- to 1.5-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup hoisin
- 1/2 tbsp soy sauce 1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce -or- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp five spice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- Bamboo or metal skewers if using bamboo, soak in water for at least 30 minutes before use
- optional ingredients for serving: cooked white rice carrots, cucumber, radish, edamame, sliced green onion, sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, mix all of the hoisin sauce, five-spice powder, honey, sesame oil, garlic powder, ginger powder, and black pepper until well combined.
- Reserve Part of the Marinade: Set aside about 2 tablespoons of the marinade in a separate bowl for brushing later.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thigh pieces to the remaining marinade, stirring to coat evenly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for more intense flavor.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (193°C).
- Assemble the Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a bit of space between each piece.
- Cook the Skewers: Arrange the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Brush with Reserved Marinade: In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, brush the reserved marinade onto the chicken skewers to add extra flavor and a caramelized glaze.
- Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve warm with rice and accompanied by edamame and fresh vegebtables such as cucumber, carrots, and radishes.
