If you’re looking for an easy and delicious dinner, then a few recipes rival the simplicity of these air fryer honey garlic chicken thighs. This recipe combines the convenience of air frying with the irresistible taste of sticky honey garlic sauce, resulting in juicy and tender chicken thighs with a perfect balance of sweet and savoury Chinese flavours. Whether you’re a busy parent looking for a quick meal on busy weeknights or a cooking enthusiast seeking to add a new recipe to your repertoire, this easy dinner recipe will become a firm favourite.
What cut of chicken to use
While I like to use bone-in skin-on chicken thighs because the meat is very juicy and tender, you can also use boneless chicken thighs or chicken wings. If you prefer boneless skinless chicken breasts, then bear in mind that the meat will not be as moist, but will still work as well for this easy meal.
What ingredients are needed for air fryer honey garlic chicken thighs
The great thing about these air fryer honey soy chicken thighs is that you’ll most likely have all the ingredients already to hand in your store cupboard and fridge. Which is even better when you’re after a quick dinner. For this recipe, you’ll need:
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Bone-in chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken thighs
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Honey
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Dark soy sauce
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Light soy sauce
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Oyster sauce
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Garlic powder
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Sriracha sauce (optional if you like a bit of heat and would like these spicy)
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Sesame seeds for garnish
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Spring onions/green onions for garnish
How to make air fryer easy honey garlic chicken
First, you have to prepare the honey garlic soy sauce mixture. To achieve that sticky honey garlic goodness, start by preparing the marinade. In a large bowl, combine the honey, with a tablespoon of soy sauce – both light and dark, the garlic powder, oyster sauce, honey and sriracha sauce if using. Mix the ingredients until well combined, and this will be the key to creating a tasty flavour.
Marinating the chicken thighs
Next, place your chicken thighs in the marinade, ensuring they are evenly coated. For best results, allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavours penetrate the meat thoroughly. If you’re short on time, you can marinate for as little as 10 minutes, although longer marinating times will result in tastier chicken. I prefer to marinate these chicken thighs overnight – the flavour intensifies.
Prepare the air fryer – While the chicken marinates, preheat your air fryer to your model’s setting or around 200°c (390F). It’s essential to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking and achieve that perfect golden exterior on your chicken thighs.
Once the air fryer is preheated, remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off. For optimal cooking, arrange the chicken thighs skin side up in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking. If you have to – then cook the chicken thighs in two batches.
Cooking the chicken thighs – Cook the chicken thighs for 25-30 minutes at 180°c (390F), flipping halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your chicken thighs (I used quite large ones) and the specific model of your air fryer, so it’s essential to monitor the cooking process closely.
While the air fried honey chicken is cooking, make sure to baste the meat with some of the leftover sticky honey garlic marinade. Using a brush you can coat the air fryer chicken thighs with the marinade and this will help develop the flavour and to help make the skin golden brown.
Check the internal temperature – To ensure that your chicken thighs are cooked properly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken to get an accurate reading.
Finishing touches – Once the juicy chicken pieces reach the desired internal temperature and have developed a crispy exterior, remove them from the air fryer. Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped spring onions/green onions on top of the chicken.
What to serve with these air fryer honey chicken thighs
Air fryer honey garlic chicken thighs pair perfectly with a variety of side dishes. Serve them alongside steamed jasmine rice or noodles for a complete meal, or add some green vegetables including pickled cucumber, pak choi, or green beans. You could even enjoy these crispy chicken thighs with french fries, if you’re in the mood for chicken and chips!
How to store leftovers
If you have any leftovers (although it’s hard to imagine there will be any), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When ready to enjoy again, simply reheat the chicken thighs in the air fryer for around 10 minutes until warmed through.
These air fryer honey garlic chicken thighs are the epitome of a quick and delicious dinner option. With minimal prep work and cook time, you can enjoy juicy chicken thighs coated in a sticky honey garlic sauce that’s bursting with flavour. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or entertaining guests, this easy recipe is sure to impress. So next time you’re craving a satisfying meal without the hassle, give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!
Other air fryer recipes you might like
Air fryer Chinese chicken wings
Air fryer Japanese chicken karaage
Air fryer Chinese char siu pork
Air fryer Chinese soy chicken thighs
Air fryer Chinese crispy pork
Air fryer sesame prawn toast
Air fryer diced potatoes
Air fryer honey and garlic chicken thighs
Ingredients
- 1 kg skin-on bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce optional
- sesame seeds for garnish
- 1 chopped spring onion /green onion for garnish
Instructions
- Get a bowl and add the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic powder, honey and sriracha (if using).
- Combine well. Add the marinade to the chicken thighs and make sure they're all coated well in the sauce.
- You can air fry the chicken thighs straight away, but preferably leave the chicken to marinate for a few hours to let the flavours develop.
- When you're ready to air fry the chicken thighs, preheat your air fryer according to your air fryer settings for 5 minutes.
- Shake off any excess marinade and place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket. Keep them in a single layer so the chicken will cook evenly.
- Air fry at 180°c (390F) for 15 minutes. Brush over the brush over the excess marinade. Then using tongs, turn the chicken over and brush the other side. Continue to air fry for another 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked.*
- Sprinkle over sesame seeds and chopped spring onions before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make these air fryer chicken thighs?
Please let me know if you made this honey garlic air fryer chicken. Leave a comment below and tag @cooksimplyathome on Instagram. You can find other easy meal ideas here.