Print

Crispy Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs in 20 Minutes

crispy air fryer honey garlic chicken thighs - featured image
Print Recipe

These crispy air fryer honey garlic chicken thighs are ready in just 20 minutes, with a sticky, caramelized glaze and juicy meat. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked)
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
  • Chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
  2. In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs. Drizzle with olive oil and rub in so the seasoning adheres. Let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Place seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, not touching or overlapping.
  6. Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 10 minutes without opening the basket.
  7. Using tongs, carefully flip each thigh. Brush about half of the honey garlic glaze onto the cooked side of each piece. Reserve remaining glaze.
  8. Air fry for another 5 minutes at 380°F (193°C).
  9. Flip the chicken again and brush with the remaining glaze. Air fry for a final 2-3 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
  10. Remove chicken from air fryer and let rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, or cilantro if desired.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly for crispy skin. Layer the glaze to prevent burning. Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness. Let chicken rest before serving to retain juices. If chicken browns too fast, reduce temperature to 360°F. For extra sticky glaze, brush a thin layer of honey during the last 2 minutes of cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, honey garlic chicken, crispy chicken thighs, quick chicken dinner, weeknight dinner, air fryer recipe

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/crispy-air-fryer-honey-garlic-chicken-thighs-in-20-minutes/