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Air Fryer Charsiu Chicken with Soy Cucumber Salad

This Air Fryer Charsiu Chicken is tender, flavorful, and coated in a sweet-savory marinade. Paired with a refreshing soy cucumber salad, it makes a light yet satisfying meal. Using the air fryer gives the chicken a beautifully caramelized exterior without the need for deep frying, making it healthier and quicker to prepare.
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Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian Fusion, Chinese
Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken Marinade
  • 750 g deboned chicken thighs uncooked
  • 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1/3 tsp ground white pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
Soy Cucumber Salad
  • 1 packet mini cucumbers cut into 2-inch pieces (or 1 large cucumber, cubed)
  • 2 tbsp salt
  • 3 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 1/2 fresh red chili deseeded and finely chopped
  • 5 sprigs coriander finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp roasted white sesame seeds

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a bowl, mix all chicken marinade ingredients.
  2. Coat the chicken evenly with the marinade.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Cucumber Salad
  1. Sprinkle salt over cucumber pieces and leave for 20 minutes to draw out excess water.
  2. Rinse the cucumbers, pat dry, then mix with soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, chili, coriander, and sugar.
  3. Garnish with roasted sesame seeds and set aside.
Cook the Chicken
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C.
  2. Arrange the marinated chicken evenly in the air fryer basket.
  3. Cook for 18–20 minutes until fully cooked and caramelized, turning halfway if needed.
Serve
  1. Plate the chicken alongside the soy cucumber salad. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

  • Adjust chili in the salad to taste for more or less heat.
  • Can serve with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
  • For extra caramelization, brush the chicken with a little extra hoisin sauce halfway through cooking.
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