Air Fryer Crispy Honey Chicken Recipe
Introduction
This Air Fryer Crispy Honey Chicken is a perfect balance of crunchy and sweet, making it a delightful weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing dish for guests. The air fryer creates a crispy coating without deep frying, while a homemade honey garlic sauce adds rich flavor.
Ingredients
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup cornstarch (or potato starch)
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon ground sage
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut the chicken thighs into cubed chunks. In a bowl, toss the chicken with cornstarch and all the seasonings—black pepper, ground ginger, nutmeg, thyme, sage, and paprika—until each piece is evenly coated.
- Step 2: Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket. Cook at 390°F for 12 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 12 minutes, or according to your air fryer’s instructions for chicken until crispy and cooked through.
- Step 3: While the chicken cooks, prepare the honey garlic sauce. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, then add the minced garlic. Cook gently to soften the garlic without browning it.
- Step 4: Add the honey, soy sauce, and black pepper to the saucepan. Simmer the mixture for 5 to 10 minutes, watching closely to prevent it from foaming over. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Step 5: Once the chicken is done and the sauce has cooled a bit, toss the chicken in the honey garlic sauce until fully coated. Serve immediately with rice and garnish with chopped green onions if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use potato starch instead of cornstarch for an even crispier coating.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce while simmering.
- Make extra sauce to drizzle on rice or steamed vegetables.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer it a bit longer until reduced to your desired consistency.
Storage
Store any leftover chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer or microwave to keep the chicken crispy. If reheating in the microwave, you can add a splash of water to the sauce to prevent it from thickening too much.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breasts can be used, but they tend to be leaner and cook faster. Adjust air fryer time accordingly to avoid drying out the meat.
Is it necessary to coat the chicken with cornstarch?
Coating with cornstarch creates the crispy exterior without deep frying. You can skip it, but the texture will be less crunchy.
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Air Fryer Crispy Honey Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 39 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Air Fryer Crispy Honey Chicken recipe features tender chicken thighs coated in a flavorful blend of cornstarch and spices, air fried to a perfect crisp, and then generously tossed in a sweet and savory homemade honey garlic sauce. A delicious and healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken, it’s quick to prepare and pairs wonderfully with rice and a garnish of fresh green onions.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup cornstarch (or potato starch)
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon ground sage
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into cube-sized chunks. In a mixing bowl, toss the chicken with cornstarch and all the seasonings—black pepper, ground ginger, nutmeg, thyme, sage, and paprika—ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 390°F for 12 minutes on one side, then flip and cook an additional 12 minutes until the chicken is crispy and cooked through, totaling 24 minutes.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: While the chicken cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant, taking care not to brown it.
- Simmer the Sauce: Add honey, soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper to the garlic oil. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, watching carefully to prevent foaming over the pot. Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly.
- Toss and Serve: Once the chicken is done and the sauce has cooled for a few minutes, combine them in a serving dish and toss thoroughly to coat all chicken pieces with the honey garlic sauce. Serve immediately with rice and garnish with chopped green onions if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breast for thighs if preferred, but thighs provide more tenderness and flavor.
- Be cautious when simmering the honey sauce as it can foam and bubble quickly.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model and size of chicken pieces to ensure thorough cooking.
- For a gluten-free option, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Air fryer chicken, honey chicken, crispy chicken, honey garlic sauce, quick dinner, healthy fried chicken alternative
