Black Chilli Chicken

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp black sesame seeds (Toast and grind; divide the powder between the chicken marinade and sauce.)
• 500 g boneless chicken thighs (Cut into bite-size pieces.)
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp garlic paste (For the chicken marinade.)
• 2 tbsp arrowroot, cornflour, or tapioca flour (Use one of the listed starches.)
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.75 tsp salt (For the chicken marinade.)
• oil spray (For greasing/spraying the air-fryer tray and chicken.)
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce (For the sauce.)
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1.5 tsp chilli crisp or chilli flakes (Use 1–2 tsp, to taste.)
• 1 tsp sugar
• salt (To taste, for the sauce.)
• 4 tbsp hot water or hot stock (Use water or chicken stock.)
• 1 tbsp cooking oil (The source lists an unlabeled 1 tbsp amount in the stir-fry ingredients; the method identifies it as oil for heating the pan.)
• 1 tbsp garlic paste (For the stir-fry.)
• 1.5 green chillies (Use 1–2, sliced or chopped.)
• 0.5 cup onion (Cut into cubes.)
• 0.5 cup capsicum (Cut into cubes.)
• 0.333 cup water (For simmering the stir-fry sauce.)
• spring onion greens (Chopped, for garnish.)

Steps

1. 1

   Dry-roast the black sesame seeds until fragrant, then grind them to a powder. Divide the powder for the chicken marinade and sauce.

2. 2

   Combine the bite-size chicken thighs with the egg, half of the roasted black sesame powder, 1 tablespoon garlic paste, starch, black pepper, and ¾ teaspoon salt. Marinate for 15–20 minutes.

3. 3

   Preheat the air fryer to 200°C. Spread the marinated chicken on a greased tray and spray or brush it lightly with oil.

4. 4

   Air-fry the chicken at 200°C for 13–15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.

5. 5

   Mix the remaining black sesame powder with the light soy sauce, vinegar, chilli crisp or chilli flakes, sugar, salt to taste, and hot water or hot stock. Set the sauce aside.

6. 6

   Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan. Add the stir-fry garlic paste and green chillies, and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden.

7. 7

   Add the cubed onion and capsicum. Cook over high heat for 1–2 minutes.

8. 8

   Add the prepared black sesame sauce and ⅓ cup water. Simmer until the sauce becomes glossy; add a little more water if a thicker gravy is desired.

9. 9

   Add the crispy air-fried chicken and toss until it is coated in the sauce and heated through.

10. 10

    Finish with chopped spring onion greens. Serve on its own or with fried rice, noodles, or flaky paratha.

Notes

The source description lists 3 tablespoons black sesame seeds total, with the resulting powder divided between the marinade and sauce. The stir-fry ingredient list contains an unlabeled 1 tablespoon amount; the method indicates this is oil. The transcript additionally mentions ginger and soy sauce in the marinade, but these are not included in the author's written ingredient list, so they were not added. Nutrition is approximately 400 kcal and 33 g protein per serving as stated by the source.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• Indo-Chinese
• air-fried
• high-protein
• spicy
• chicken
• gluten-free optional
• weeknight dinner