Irresistible Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer: A 30-Minute Flavor Explosion
Introduction
Discover the perfect balance of sweet and savory with our Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Air Fryer recipe! This dish combines the rich flavor of chicken thighs with a sticky, irresistible honey garlic glaze, all achieved with the convenience of air frying. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal choice for a delicious weeknight dinner that tastes like it took hours to prepare.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: Ready in just 30 minutes
- Healthier option: Uses minimal oil while delivering maximum flavor
- Versatile: Great on its own, with rice, or in a salad
- Family-friendly: A crowd-pleasing flavor that even picky eaters will enjoy
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs total)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the honey garlic sauce:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional for garnish: sesame seeds, sliced green onions
Kitchen Equipment Needed
Pro Tip: The Cosori Air Fryer ensures perfectly crispy skin and juicy meat, while allowing the honey garlic glaze to caramelize beautifully!
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then rub them thoroughly with the oil and spice mixture.
- Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side up, ensuring they don’t overlap.
- Cook for 12 minutes, then flip the chicken thighs.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the honey garlic sauce. In a small saucepan, combine honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened (about 3-5 minutes).
- After flipping the chicken, cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Brush the chicken thighs generously with the honey garlic sauce and cook for 2 more minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize.
- Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
- Drizzle with additional sauce and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired.
Tips for Success
- For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken in the oil and spice mixture for up to 2 hours before cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary for the best results.
- Save some of the honey garlic sauce for serving to boost the flavor even more.
Variations
- Spicy Honey Garlic: Double the red pepper flakes for a spicier kick.
- Lemon Honey Garlic: Add the zest of one lemon to the sauce for a citrusy twist.
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fat: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs with steamed broccoli and jasmine rice for a complete, balanced meal. For an extra special presentation, use these stylish White and Gold Serving Platters.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container like these Glass Food Storage Containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-6 minutes, or until heated through. Drizzle with additional sauce if desired.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Air Fryer recipe, you might also like these recipes from our Air Fryer Chicken collection:
- Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Lemon Rosemary Chicken Thighs
- Five Spice Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
For more delicious air fryer chicken recipes, check out our Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Round-up Post or explore our Air Fryer Chicken Breast Round-up Post for a variety of air fryer chicken dishes.
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Air Fryer Conclusion
We hope this Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Air Fryer recipe becomes a new favorite in your household! It’s a perfect example of how air frying can create restaurant-quality meals with minimal effort and time. Don’t forget to share your honey garlic creations with us on social media and let us know your favorite way to serve these irresistible chicken thighs.
Happy air frying!
This recipe is part of our Air Fryer Chicken series. Discover more air fryer chicken recipes in our 10 Best Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipes post or explore all our air fryer chicken collections in our 10 Best Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipes post.
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