This is one of those recipes I make when I want something really flavorful but still easy to put together. I cook the chicken in the air fryer first, and while that's cooking, I make a quick honey garlic sauce on the stovetop.
Once the chicken is done, I just toss it in the sauce, and that's what gives it that sweet and savory coating without worrying about anything burning in the air fryer.
It's simple, but it feels like a more put-together dinner.
I'll show you exactly how I do it so the chicken turns out tender and the sauce coats it nicely at the end.
How Long to Cook Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
Chicken thighs cook in the air fryer at 380°F for about 14 minutes (7 minutes per side), depending on their size. Always cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Ingredients for honey garlic chicken thighs
**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions down below**
Chicken thighs (skinless and boneless): I like to use them to make this air fryer honey garlic chicken because they are more tender than other chicken parts and easier to cook to perfection! They're also usually cheaper.
Cornstarch: Coating the chicken thighs in cornstarch before air frying gives them an even crispier finish, which I love! If you don't have cornstarch, you can also use regular flour. However, this will add extra gluten (cornstarch doesn't contain gluten).
For the sauce
Unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter because I can control my dish's sodium levels (and taste) more. You could also use dairy-free butter if you are avoiding dairy.
Minced garlic: To mince garlic, crush it with the flat edge of your knife and then place it against the tip. Hold the tip while you use a rocking motion to chop the garlic as small as possible. Alternatively, you can buy prepared frozen garlic.
Raw honey: Adds depth and sweetness to the sauce. Regular honey also works.
Low-sodium chicken broth or stock: Again, I've chosen a low-sodium option to control the salt levels in this dish! You can also make chicken stock by slowly boiling a chicken carcass with vegetables like celery, onions, and carrots.
Low sodium soy sauce: Soy sauce is delicious but contains a lot of salt! Soy sauce also contains gluten, so if you're avoiding gluten, opt for gluten-free tamari.
Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar: Either one works well to add a tangy base to your sauce.
Tools used you may need
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How to air fry chicken thighs for honey garlic sauce
First, place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper; add the corn flour and toss until well coated.
Finally, place the chicken in the basket in a single layer sprayed with oil and air fry at 380ºF for 7 minutes on each side or until an internal temperature reaches 165ºF in the thickest part.
How to make honey garlic sauce
In a saucepan, add the butter and garlic on medium heat and cook until fragrant, around 30 seconds. Add the honey, soy sauce, chicken broth, and vinegar to the pan and stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer for 3-4 minutes or until the sauce is thickened.
How It Comes Together
Once the chicken is done cooking, transfer it to a bowl and pour the warm honey garlic sauce over it.
Toss everything together until the chicken is well coated. This is what gives the chicken that glossy, flavorful finish without affecting the texture from the air fryer.
Recipe Tips For Best Results
- If you can, make this easy honey garlic chicken with raw honey, as it has a more complex flavor profile than pasteurized honey, which takes this dish to the next level.
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning. Removing excess moisture helps the coating stick better and improves browning in the air fryer.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the chicken in a single layer so hot air can circulate properly and cook the thighs evenly.
- Simmer the sauce until slightly thickened. The honey garlic sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, so remove it from the heat once it coats the back of a spoon.
- Toss the chicken in the sauce just before serving. This keeps the chicken tender while ensuring every piece is well-coated in the honey garlic flavor.
- Taste and adjust the sauce. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more honey. For more balance, add a splash of vinegar or extra soy sauce.
- Always rest the chicken briefly. Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes after air frying helps keep it tender before tossing with the sauce.
What to serve with honey garlic chicken thighs
What vegetables are good with honey garlic chicken?
How to store honey garlic chicken?
Fridge: Seal in an airtight container and move to the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. You can keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezer: Seal in a freezer bag or airtight container (you may want to store individual chicken thighs separately as this makes it easier when you defrost them). You can safely store cooked chicken in the freezer indefinitely (as long as it is at 0°F), but it's best if consumed within 4 months.
How to thaw frozen chicken thighs: To thaw frozen honey garlic chicken thighs move them to the fridge and defrost them overnight. If you're in a hurry, you can defrost them in the air fryer by cooking them at 320°F for around 10 minutes - this will mean they are cold but not frozen and ready for cooking.
How to reheat honey garlic chicken thighs?
Reheat in the air fryer: Heat the air fryer to 370°F and then heat the air fryer honey chicken thighs for 6-8 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
You can reheat frozen chicken in the air fryer without defrosting; you just need to allow an additional 8-10 minutes.
Reheat in the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F, then put the chicken on a wire rack over a baking tray. Heat for around 15 minutes. If your chicken is frozen, you must defrost it before heating it in the oven.
How to reheat on the stovetop: Add a little water to a skillet (just enough to cover the bottom) and heat over a medium temperature. Once the water is simmering, add the chicken and gently stir as it heats up. If your chicken is frozen, defrost it before heating it.
Always use a meat thermometer to check that chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
FAQ'S
The questions below focus on using chicken thighs for this honey garlic recipe, since they cook well in the air fryer and stay tender.
Yes, this recipe works well with bone-in thighs, but it will alter the cooking time slightly. If you have bone-in thighs, use the timings from this easy air fryer chicken thighs (bone-in skin on) recipe.
Absolutely, marinating honey garlic glazed air fryer chicken thighs make them even more succulent! Simply mix the ingredients to make the marinade and toss the chicken in it, then leave to marinate for up to 8 hours. But don't leave it any longer, as it can start to tough the chicken.
If your sauce is too thin, let it simmer a little longer so it can reduce and thicken naturally. You can also mix a small amount of cornstarch with water and stir it into the sauce to make it thicker.
Yes, you can use chicken breast, but it may cook a little faster and can dry out more easily than thighs. Make sure not to overcook it and always check that it reaches 165°F.
Yes, you can cook the chicken and store it separately from the sauce, then combine them when reheating. This helps keep the texture of the chicken and prevents it from becoming too soft.
It's best to add the honey garlic sauce after cooking the chicken. If you add it before air frying, the honey can burn because of the high heat. Cooking the chicken first and adding the sauce at the end gives better flavor and texture.
More Air fryer Chicken Thighs Recipes You'd love to try.
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs In The Air Fryer
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs In Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Bone in Skin on
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
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Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Air Fryer Recipe
Super quick and simple to make, you can have these delicious honey garlic chicken thighs air fryer in under 20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs, skinless and boneless
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder/flour
- Oil sprayer bottle with grapeseed or olive oil
For the sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ⅓ cup raw honey
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth or stock
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper; add the cornstarch and toss until well coated.
- Place the chicken in the basket in a single layer sprayed with oil and air fry at 380ºF for 7 minutes on each side or until an internal temperature reaches 165ºF in the thickest part.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan, add the butter and garlic on medium heat and cook until fragrant, around 30 seconds. Add the honey, soy sauce, chicken broth, and vinegar to the pan and stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer for 3-4 minutes or until the sauce is thickened.
- Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and stir to combine. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
If you want a thicker sauce, add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch to the chicken broth before adding to the sauce.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 386Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 411mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 1gSugar: 24gProtein: 48g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.
