Crispy Air-Fryer Chicken Char Siu & Baby Bok Choy
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Air-Fryer Chicken Char Siu with Baby Bok Choy
Air-Fryer Chicken Char Siu with Baby Bok Choy
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, skin removed
- Kosher salt
- 2 pieces of red fermented bean curd (refer to Chefs’ Notes)
- 3 tbsp dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 2 tsp vegetable oil
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced thin
- 1 1/2 lbs baby bok choy, trimmed and leaves separated
- Cooked white rice for serving
Instructions
Step 1
Start by preheating your 6-quart air fryer to 400°F so it's nice and hot. While that warms up, sprinkle a bit of salt on both sides of your chicken thighs and poke them a few times with a fork to help those savory flavors sink deep into the meat. In a medium bowl, whisk together the bean curd, brown sugar, oyster sauce, hoisin, soy sauce, and five-spice powder. Stir everything until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has mostly dissolved. Toss your chicken into the bowl and massage the marinade into the meat with your hands until the sauce is mostly absorbed. Let the chicken hang out at room temperature for about 10 minutes to ensure it cooks evenly.
Step 2
Place your marinated chicken pieces in the air-fryer basket, making sure you leave a little breathing room between each piece so the air can circulate. Brush any leftover marinade over the top for an extra layer of sweetness. Set your air-fryer to 400°F and cook for 12 to 14 minutes. You don't even need to flip the meat; just keep an eye out for those gorgeous, charred, caramelized edges. Once the chicken is cooked through and has a deep reddish-brown glaze, move it to a cutting board. Let it rest for about 5 minutes to keep those juices locked in. Now you can slice the chicken into 1/2-inch-thick strips, ready to be paired with your bok choy.
Step 3
While your chicken is getting crispy in the air fryer, let's get your greens ready. Heat a splash of vegetable oil and your minced garlic in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring for about 2 minutes until the garlic smells amazing and turns a light golden brown. Now, add your baby bok choy to the pan. If your pan is feeling a bit crowded, go ahead and work in a few batches so the greens sear instead of steaming. Sprinkle in about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and toss the bok choy occasionally. You're looking for that gorgeous, bright green color and stems that are tender but still have a little bite, which usually takes about 3 minutes. Once they look just right, take the pan off the heat. Keep the bok choy covered with a lid to trap the warmth until you're ready to plate everything with that glazed chicken.
Step 4
Scoop a generous portion of fluffy steamed rice into your favorite bowls. Arrange the sliced chicken on top, making sure you drizzle any extra glaze from the air-fryer basket over the meat for a glossy finish. Toss your baby bok choy into the air-fryer for about 3 to 5 minutes at 375°F. You'll know they're ready when the leaves are slightly charred and crisp at the edges while the stems remain tender. Place the greens alongside the chicken and serve everything while it's still steaming hot. Enjoy that beautiful contrast between the charred chicken and the bright, fresh bok choy.
Nutrition Information
My Tip
To get those gorgeous charred edges without overcooking the meat, make sure you don't crowd the air-fryer basket. Giving your chicken thighs plenty of space allows the hot air to circulate and caramelize that brown sugar marinade beautifully.
Leftovers
Keep your leftovers in a sealed glass container for up to three days. To get that sticky glaze and chicken crispiness back, pop them in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes.
Make It Your Own
Swap the chicken thighs for extra-firm tofu cubes and use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free, plant-based version. We love how the tofu soaks up that sweet and salty glaze in the air fryer!
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