Spicy Air Fryer Chicken & Capsicum Grain Bowls
Crispy, spiced air-fried chicken breast cubes served over fluffy quinoa with a zesty spiced peanut sauce.
Method
- 1.
Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water and cook according to packet instructions. Set aside to cool slightly.
Rinsing removes the bitter coating from quinoa.
- 2.
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C. Slice the chicken into bite-sized cubes.
Cutting the chicken against the grain helps keep it tender.
- 3.
In a bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil spray, paprika, cumin, chilli flakes, garlic, salt and pepper until evenly coated.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in two batches if necessary for the crispiest result.
- 4.
Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 15-18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
Check the internal temperature of the chicken; it should reach 74°C.
- 5.
While the chicken cooks, dice the capsicum and onion into small chunks. Add them to the air fryer for the last 5 minutes of cooking time to soften slightly.
Adding the veggies later prevents them from burning before the chicken is done.
- 6.
Whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, and lime juice with 2 tablespoons of warm water to create a smooth sauce.
Adjust the lime juice or water to get a pouring consistency.
- 7.
Divide the cooked quinoa between bowls, top with the spicy chicken and warm capsicum, and drizzle generously with the peanut sauce.
Garnish with fresh coriander if you have it for a fresh finish.
Estimated Nutrition (per serve)
Double the sauce for leftovers as it tastes even better the next day. You can add sliced cucumber or bean sprouts for extra crunch.