I love cooking juicy chicken pieces in the air fryer, more so when they are wrapped up in a flavorsome blanket of panko, coconut, sesame, and chili.

The air frying process prodigiously cuts down on the amount of oil used, yet retains amazing flavor and crunch in the breading while maintaining the moistness of fresh fried chicken.

I can cook up a great family serving of healthier, tastier air-fried chicken pieces in less than an hour from start to finish, which keeps me from a trip to the nearest fast food outlet (as enjoyable as it can be).

My favorite breading combination at the moment is chili, coconut, and sesame seed panko-crusted chicken. It offers a beautifully subtle tropical flavor that marries gentle warmth from chili flakes with a lovely coconut aroma. The light but crunchy panko makes it a mouth-watering contrast between juicy and crunchy.

To create a thickly breaded mixture, I like to go through the process of coating and breading the chicken twice. You can skip this step, but I find that it helps create a thick, well-flavored crumbing that keeps the chicken moist while it’s air fried.

It’s also worth noting that with an air fryer, your chicken won’t have the same golden, rich brown color as it is when deep fried, but it will be crisp, delicious, and full of layered seasoning.

Served alongside ketchup, a herb aioli, or the fiery hot sauce of your choice, these air fried chicken pieces will satisfy the differing range of taste buds in your family. It’s quick, simple, and lots of fun to make!