Looking for a delicious, quick, and easy air fryer honey garlic chicken dinner?
This recipe is perfect when you want something tasty but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Your air fryer will do all the work, and you’ll get a well-cooked chicken with a yummy honey garlic sauce!
Ingredient Notes
🔹Chicken – We use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this air fryer honey garlic chicken! They stay super juicy and tender while cooking. You could also use chicken breasts, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and watch carefully to prevent them from drying out.
🔹Honey – The star ingredient that creates that beautiful sticky glaze! Any regular honey works great here – we just recommend avoiding flavored varieties that might compete with the garlic.
🔹Soy Sauce – Adds that perfect savory umami flavor to balance out the sweetness. You can use low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer to control the salt level.
🔹Garlic – Fresh minced garlic gives the best flavor in this sauce! While you could use garlic powder in a pinch, fresh garlic really makes the sauce shine and creates that amazing aroma.
🔹Rice Vinegar – Just a splash helps balance all the flavors and adds a subtle tang. Apple cider vinegar would work as a substitute if needed.
🔹Oil – A little cooking spray or olive oil helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning in the air fryer.
How to Make Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken?
🔹To begin, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and rice vinegar in a small bowl until well combined.
🔹Cut the chicken thighs into even-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly. Pat them dry with paper towels; this helps the sauce stick better and promotes better browning.
🔹Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket and lightly spray with oil. Air fry for 8 minutes, then brush with the honey garlic sauce. Continue cooking for another 4-6 minutes, basting once more halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has caramelized.
Recipe Variations
🔹You can turn this into a spicy honey garlic chicken by adding some red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the glaze. A tablespoon of gochujang (Korean red chili paste) would add amazing depth and heat to the sauce. For those who love the sweet-spicy combo, try adding a drizzle of chili oil right before serving!
🔹Are you looking for extra umami? Try to add a splash of oyster sauce or hoisin sauce to the mix. Some freshly grated ginger gives an amazing aromatic boost to the sauce. You could even add a tablespoon of toasted sesame oil at the end for a delicious nutty flavor.
🔹Make it a complete meal by tossing some veggies right in the air fryer basket during the last few minutes of cooking. Broccoli florets, snap peas, or bell peppers work well and will soak up any extra sauce. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions makes the perfect garnish!
Recipe Tips!
🔹Try to pat the chicken dry before cooking; this will help the sauce stick better and prevent excess moisture that could make the sauce too thin. Don’t skip this step!
🔹Keep an eye on the sauce during the last few minutes of cooking. The honey can caramelize quickly, so you may need to adjust the cooking time or temperature to prevent burning.
🔹Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket! Leave some space between the chicken pieces so the air can circulate properly and create that perfect sticky glaze.
🔹Make a double batch of the sauce if you want extra for drizzling over rice or veggies.
Serving Suggestions
This air fryer honey garlic chicken pairs perfectly with so many sides! Here are some of our favorite ways to serve it:
🔹Rice: Serve over a bed of fluffy white rice or brown rice to soak up all that delicious sauce!
🔹Asian-Inspired Sides: Some steamed broccoli, stir-fried vegetables, or a crunchy Asian slaw make perfect accompaniments. You could even serve it alongside some vegetable fried rice!
Freezing and Storage Instructions
🔹You can store this air fryer honey garlic chicken just like you would any other cooked chicken recipe in the refrigerator. Place it in an airtight container, and it should keep well for 3 to 4 days.
🔹When it comes to reheating, the air fryer is definitely your best friend here. Just pop the chicken back in at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
🔹If you want to freeze it, let the chicken cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
💡Pro tip: If you’re planning to freeze this, try to keep the sauce separate and add it fresh when you reheat the chicken. It will give you the best texture and flavor when you’re ready to enjoy it again!
FAQs
Q1: Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can definitely use chicken breasts for this recipe! Just keep in mind that chicken breasts tend to be leaner and can dry out more easily.
Q2: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! This honey garlic chicken reheats really well. You can make it up to 3-4 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Q3: My sauce is burning – what am I doing wrong?
Honey can caramelize quickly due to its high sugar content. If you notice the sauce burning, try reducing your air fryer temperature by 25 degrees or reducing the cooking time slightly.
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- Cooking spray or olive oil
- Optional garnish: sesame seeds, sliced green onions
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and rice vinegar until well combined.
- Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
- Place chicken pieces in air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces. Lightly spray with oil.
- Air fry at 380°F for 8 minutes.
- Brush chicken with honey garlic sauce and continue cooking for 4-6 minutes, basting once more halfway through, until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F) and sauce has caramelized.
- Let rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Notes
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Share Your Experience!
👩🍳We’d love to know how your air fryer honey garlic chicken turns out!
🔹Did you add your own twist to the recipe? Please share your cooking journey with us!
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