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Spicy Chicken Strips with Sweet Chilli Ginger Sauce

If you’re in the mood for something with a little heat, this recipe is a winner. Juicy chicken strips cooked quickly in the air fryer, crunchy colourful veggies, and a glossy sweet chilli ginger sauce you can whip up in the microwave in minutes. It’s fresh, fiery, and full of protein, basically the kind of dinner that makes you feel good and full without being heavy.

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It’s also ridiculously fast. Chicken strips cook in no time, and the sauce practically makes itself. Perfect weeknight food.

What you’ll need

  • 250g chicken breast or tenderloins, cut into strips
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp paprika or mild chilli powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup snow peas
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • A batch of Sweet Chilli Ginger Sauce (recipe here)

How to make it

Toss the chicken strips with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pop them in the air fryer at 200°C (390°F) for about 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. They’ll come out golden and juicy.

For the veggies, add the snow peas and red cabbage to the air fryer for the last 5 minutes of cooking so they get slightly charred but still keep their crunch.

Meanwhile, make your microwave-friendly Sweet Chilli Ginger Sauce. Once the chicken and veggies are ready, pile everything into a bowl and drizzle with the sauce. The spicy-sweet glaze ties the whole dish together beautifully.

Variations & Substitutions

  • Turn up the heat: Add extra chilli flakes to the sauce or dust the chicken with cayenne pepper.
  • Milder option: Skip the paprika and just keep the chicken plain.
  • Veggie swap: Bell peppers and carrots also work perfectly with the sauce.
  • Extra protein: Throw in a handful of roasted cashews or peanuts for crunch.
  • Different base: Serve over rice or noodles to make it more filling.

This meal is high in protein, big on flavour, and super quick to throw together. The chicken is tender, the veggies are crisp, and the sweet chilli ginger sauce makes it all taste like a proper takeout, but healthier and faster.