This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
This Sweet Chili Salmon is my favorite two-ingredient recipe. Spicy and sweet Thai chili turns into a sticky sauce when cooked with salmon fillets for the easiest dinner kids and adults will love.
Sweet chili sauce pairs so well salmon for a sweet and savory flavored dish. For this recipe, you can cook it in the air fryer or broil it in the oven.
This sweet chili salmon is one recipe both kids and adults will love. Pair it with microwavable rice and cucumber for a fast weeknight dinner.
Table of Contents
An Easy Salmon Recipe
This sweet chili salmon recipe came out of one of those evenings when you’re too tired to cook. My son loves salmon and it’s a great brain food that’s packed with Omega 3 fatty acids, so I try to make a few meals a week with it. You’ll love this recipe because:
- Only 2 ingredients – No other ingredients needed!
- Brain food – Salmon is high in Omega 3 fatty acids which is great for brain health.
- Fast and easy – Perfect for weeknights and under 15 minutes to cook.
- Special diet friendly – This recipe fits a dairy free, gluten free, and HYH diet. It’s also Mediterranean diet friendly.
I used the same marinating and cooking process as my Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon, but switched out the teriyaki sauce for sweet chili.
Ingredients
You literally only need two ingredients for this easy salmon recipe. And salt. But salt doesn’t count, right?
- Salmon – My favorite type of salmon for general everyday is Verlasso, which is sustainably farmed. I find farmed salmon has the best flavor for my personal preferences, while wild caught Alaskan salmon has a stronger fish flavor. For this recipe, either will work! Just choose your favorite. You can use fresh or frozen salmon that has been defrosted. Simply place frozen salmon in the fridge the night before you intend to make this recipe.
- Sweet Chili Sauce – Sweet chili sauce is generally a mix of vinegar, dried chili pepper, and sugar. I love Pretty Thai sweet chili, which is made by a local small business in Texas. Minimal ingredients and perfect flavor, it’s spicy without being overwhelming! Definitely worth ordering online or locating in an HEB/Central Market if in Texas.
How to Make
There are two methods you can use for making sweet chili salmon and I’ll take you through both. But they start the same way – with marinating the fish.
Step 1: Marinate the salmon
Pat the salmon fillets dry and pour 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce into a shallow dish. Place the salmon fillets meat side down into the sweet chili sauce (skin side up). Marinate for 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
Step 2: Air fry
To air fry sweet chili salmon, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place the marinated fillets into an oiled air fryer basket, skin side down. Air fry at 400 degrees F for 9-10 minutes, until just cooked through. (Shown above.)
Halfway through cooking (sometimes the air fryer will beep to alert you), use some of the marinade to spoon over the top of the salmon before replacing the air fryer cover.
Expert Tip – Cooking times for salmon can vary by thickness. These cooking times were for salmon on the thicker side – at least 1 1/2 inches.
Step 3: Build your plate
Pair the salmon with rice and suggested toppings and serve warm. Serve with extra sweet chili sauce drizzled on top.
Oven Broiler Method
If you don’t own an air fryer, you can make this in the oven. To broil, place the marinated salmon fillets on a sheet pan covered with foil for easy clean up. Set the broiler to HIGH and place the salmon on the middle oven rack (several inches away from the heat source).
Cook for 4-6 minutes, watching carefully. The top of the salmon should darken in spots, but not burn all over. Remove from oven and wrap the tin foil up and around the salmon so it stays warm until you’re ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
This sweet chili salmon could be paired with almost anything, even slow cooker mac and cheese with cream cheese! But here is what I recommend.
- Fresh sliced cucumber or avocado (if tolerated).
- Trader Joe’s microwaveable rice packets. They cook in 3 minutes!
- Steamed or roasted broccoli and cauliflower.
- Bang bang brussels sprouts
- Toasted sesame seeds for topping.
If you’re looking for a sweet chili salmon bowl, I recommend using this salmon rice bowl recipe as a base!
Storage Options
Refrigerator – To meal prep this salmon, cook according to directions and allow the salmon to cool for about 20 minutes. Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer – I do not recommend freezing this salmon after cooking, but you could use frozen salmon that has been defrosted and place in the fridge to defrost the evening before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Salmon cooks perfectly in the air fryer at 400 Fahrenheit for exactly 9 minutes for a large fillet. Subtract 1 minute for a small, thinner fillet and add 1 minute for a very large fillet.
If the sweet chili sauce is still too mild for you, mix in 1/2-1 teaspoon of sriracha sauce to give it an extra kick before marinating the salmon.
If you can’t find a good sweet chili sauce, try using hot honey to brush on top of the salmon. Or I would recommend one of my teriyaki salmon recipes.
Salmon Recipes
Salmon
Spicy Salmon Bowl
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 review in the recipe card! Don’t forget to tag me @thedizzycook on Facebook and Instagram, and follow along on Pinterest for more great recipes!
Sweet Chili Salmon (Air Fryer or Oven)
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer (optional)
Ingredients
- 4 4-6oz salmon fillets, skin on
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Pat salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Pour sweet chili sauce into a shallow dish that fits all the fillets. Place the salmon, skin side up with the fish in the sauce. Cover and place in the fridge for at least 10-15 minutes to marinate.
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Oil the basket with whatever mild vegetable oil you have on hand, then place the marinated salmon fillets skin side down into the air fryer basket. Don't dump the marinade dish yet! Cook for 9-10 minutes, stopping halfway through to use a spoon a little more of the sweet chili sauce on top of the fillets.
Oven Broiler Method
- Preheat oven broiler to HIGH heat. Place the salmon fillets on top of a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil, skin side down. Place in the middle of the oven, broiling till browned in spots and medium doneness – about 4-6 minutes. Watch carefully so the top does not burn. Use the foil to wrap up the fish until ready to serve.
- Remove the salmon from the air fryer or broiler and serve with rice and toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Drizzle with a little more sweet chili sauce, if desired.
Notes
- I used Pretty Thai sweet chili sauce for this recipe. It’s got a little heat, but not too spicy.
- This meal pairs well with microwavable rice bags from Trader Joe’s (ready in 3 minutes), sliced cucumber, steamed or roasted broccoli and cauliflower, and toasted sesame seeds.
- If using frozen salmon, place in the fridge to defrost overnight and pat dry before marinating.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Sweet Chili Salmon (Air Fryer or Oven)
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer (optional)
Ingredients
- 4 4-6oz salmon fillets, skin on
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Pat salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Pour sweet chili sauce into a shallow dish that fits all the fillets. Place the salmon, skin side up with the fish in the sauce. Cover and place in the fridge for at least 10-15 minutes to marinate.
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Oil the basket with whatever mild vegetable oil you have on hand, then place the marinated salmon fillets skin side down into the air fryer basket. Don't dump the marinade dish yet! Cook for 9-10 minutes, stopping halfway through to use a spoon a little more of the sweet chili sauce on top of the fillets.
Oven Broiler Method
- Preheat oven broiler to HIGH heat. Place the salmon fillets on top of a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil, skin side down. Place in the middle of the oven, broiling till browned in spots and medium doneness – about 4-6 minutes. Watch carefully so the top does not burn. Use the foil to wrap up the fish until ready to serve.
- Remove the salmon from the air fryer or broiler and serve with rice and toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Drizzle with a little more sweet chili sauce, if desired.
Notes
- I used Pretty Thai sweet chili sauce for this recipe. It’s got a little heat, but not too spicy.
- This meal pairs well with microwavable rice bags from Trader Joe’s (ready in 3 minutes), sliced cucumber, steamed or roasted broccoli and cauliflower, and toasted sesame seeds.
- If using frozen salmon, place in the fridge to defrost overnight and pat dry before marinating.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yum! Just a little bit spicy with a touch of sweet. I really like this recipe and it was our first time with fish in the air fryer. We’ll definite make this again! Thanks Alicia!
Thanks so much, Lisa!
This was so easy! We loved it. Thanks for the great recipe.