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

Scale

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