For the Chicken Bites:

4 chicken thighs (boneless, skinless), cut into 1-inch pieces
1-inch piece of ginger, grated
1 clove garlic, sliced
½ tsp salt
½ tsp sugar
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar

For the Breading Station:

dry 1: cornstarch (for the first coat)
wet: 1 large egg, whisked
dry 2: 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste

For the Sweet and Spicy Sauce:

¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp honey (preferably local)
½ cup gochujang paste (Korean chili paste)
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
¼ cup soy sauce
1-inch piece of ginger, grated
1 clove garlic, grated

For Garnish:

black sesame seeds
green onions, thinly sliced and curled (place strips in ice water for a few minutes)

Step 1

In a bowl, combine grated ginger, sliced garlic, salt, sugar, and rice wine vinegar. Add the chicken pieces and mix well, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Avoid over-marinating to prevent the chicken from becoming mushy.

Step 2

Set Up the Breading Station In the first bowl, addc ornstarch for the initial coating. In the second bowl, whisk the egg. In the third bowl, add panko breadcrumbs and season with salt and pepper.

Step 3

Take the marinated chicken and coat each piece in the cornstarch, ensuring all sides are covered. Shake off any excess. Dip the coated chicken into the egg mixture. Roll the chicken in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure they stick. For extra crunch, drizzle a small amount of egg into the breadcrumbs to create crispy clumps.

Step 4

Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Lightly coat the breaded chicken pieces with oil for even browning. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 5

In a pot, combine brown sugar, honey, gochujang, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, grated ginger, and grated garlic. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes until thickened. Pour the sauce into a bowl for coating.

Step 6

Toss the cooked chicken bites in the sweet and spicy sauce until evenly coated. Plate the chicken bites in a serving bowl. Garnish with black sesame seeds and the curled green onions.