Easy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Honey Garlic Glaze

Craving a quick, delicious, and healthy weeknight dinner? Look no further than these Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs! They’re incredibly tender, boasting a light and crispy exterior, all coated in a delectable homemade honey garlic sauce. The magic lies in tossing the chicken with cornstarch and a blend of flavorful spices before air frying. This simple step creates that perfect thin, crisp coating that allows the honey garlic sauce to cling beautifully to every piece of chicken. Speaking of sauce, you only need a handful of simple ingredients, and it comes together in under 10 minutes – while the chicken is cooking! If you’re searching for a fuss-free, utterly delicious recipe to add to your regular meal rotation, this chicken thigh recipe is an absolute winner. It’s ready to enjoy in just about 30 minutes!

Air fryer chicken thighs glazed with honey garlic sauce, plated with rice and broccoli, garnished with green onions.

While I sometimes opt for cooking boneless chicken thighs in a skillet on the stovetop, I’ve found that using the air fryer is a significantly faster method. Plus, you can achieve that coveted crispy texture while using less oil. The result is remarkably similar to these crispy air fryer chicken cutlets, but with the added benefit of juicy, tender chicken thighs.

But if I’m being completely honest, my absolute favorite part of this recipe is the homemade honey garlic sauce. It generously blankets each chicken thigh, creating an explosion of flavor in every bite. It’s a quick and easy sauce recipe that perfectly balances the sweet and savory elements. The delightful combination of honey and garlic truly shines through, enhanced by a subtle hint of molasses and soy sauce.

Whenever I prepare this chicken recipe, I typically serve it alongside fluffy basmati rice and steamed broccoli for a complete and balanced meal. However, the versatility of this dish allows it to pair well with a wide variety of side dishes. Consider serving it with these garlic and herb air fried carrots or perhaps these herby air fried baby potatoes for a flavorful and satisfying complement.

Key Ingredients for Honey Garlic Air Fryer Chicken
How to Make Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs: Step-by-Step
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Storing and Reheating Leftover Chicken
Tips and Tricks for the Best Air Fryer Chicken
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
More Delicious Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

Key Ingredients for Honey Garlic Air Fryer Chicken

Let’s take a closer look at the essential ingredients that make this air fryer chicken recipe so incredibly delicious. Below are some key ingredients, with helpful notes on possible substitutions. For a complete list of ingredients and specific quantities, be sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post.

Ingredients laid out for making air fryer boneless chicken thighs and honey garlic sauce.

Chicken Thighs: This recipe calls for 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which typically weigh around 1.5 to 2 pounds, depending on their size. Before you begin, I recommend trimming off any excess fat for a healthier dish.
Cornstarch: This pantry staple is the secret to achieving that light crispness on the chicken and also works wonders as a thickening agent for the honey garlic sauce. While flour can potentially be used as a substitute in both cases, I haven’t personally tested this recipe with flour. For best results, stick with cornstarch.
Seasonings: The chicken is seasoned with a simple yet flavorful blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. I prefer to keep the seasonings relatively simple so that they don’t overpower the delicious flavor of the honey garlic sauce.
Sweeteners: To create the perfect balance of sweetness in the honey garlic sauce, we’ll be using a combination of honey, granulated sugar, and a touch of fancy molasses. It’s important to avoid blackstrap molasses, as it has a less sweet and more bitter flavor profile.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is absolutely essential for achieving the best, most robust flavor in the honey garlic sauce. Don’t skimp on the garlic!

How to Make Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs: Step-by-Step

One of the best things about this recipe is that the honey garlic sauce can be prepared while the chicken thighs are air frying. This makes it a streamlined process, allowing you to have dinner on the table in just about 30 minutes!

Boneless skinless chicken thighs coated in cornstarch on a plate. — **Step 1:** Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. In a bowl, combine cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Coat the chicken on all sides with the mixture.

Six air fried boneless skinless chicken thighs in an air fryer basket. — **Step 2:** Spray the chicken with cooking oil spray. Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in your air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and slightly golden brown. Flip the chicken pieces over halfway through cooking, after approximately 7-8 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach at least 165°F (74°C).

Ingredients to make honey garlic sauce in a small saucepan before it is thickened. — **Step 3:** In a small saucepan, combine the honey, soy sauce, water, molasses, vinegar, sugar, and minced garlic. Stir the ingredients together over medium heat until the mixture begins to bubble and simmer.

Thickened honey garlic sauce in a small sauce pan. — **Step 4:** In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water to make a cornstarch slurry. Once the honey mixture in the saucepan begins to bubble gently, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue stirring constantly until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat.

Chicken thighs covered in sauce in an oval dish with garnishes, broccoli and rice on the side. — **Step 5:** Transfer the cooked chicken thighs to a serving dish and generously pour the warm honey garlic sauce over the top, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Garnish with sliced green onions and/or chopped fresh parsley for added flavor and visual appeal. Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These honey garlic glazed chicken thighs are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

Rice: Fluffy white rice, brown rice, or basmati rice are all excellent choices.
Noodles: Serve over your favorite type of noodles for a complete meal.
Vegetables: Steamed or roasted broccoli, green beans, carrots, or asparagus are all great options.
Salad: A simple side salad can add a refreshing element to the meal.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Chicken

This saucy chicken is undeniably best enjoyed fresh, right after it’s made. However, if you happen to have any leftovers, they can be easily stored in the refrigerator for enjoyment within 2-3 days.

If you’re planning ahead and anticipate having leftovers, it’s a good idea to delay adding the honey garlic sauce to the chicken until you’re actually ready to serve it. This will help maintain the crispiness of the chicken.

To reheat leftover chicken that’s already coated in sauce, you can either warm it in the microwave for approximately 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, or heat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes. Be sure to cover the chicken while reheating to prevent it from drying out.

If you’ve kept the sauce separate from the chicken, you can reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes to restore some of its crispness. Simultaneously, you can heat the sauce on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

Leanne’s Tips and Tricks for Recipe Success

Here are a few extra tips to ensure your air fryer honey garlic chicken thighs turn out perfectly every time:

Pat the Chicken Dry: Before you begin, make sure to thoroughly pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture from the surface will help the chicken crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
Coat Generously with Cornstarch: Ensure that the chicken thighs are evenly and generously coated with the cornstarch and seasoning mixture. The cornstarch plays a crucial role in absorbing moisture and contributing to that desirable light and crispy texture. While I typically coat the chicken using my hands, you can also add the chicken and cornstarch mixture to a large resealable bag and shake until the chicken is evenly coated.
Use Cooking Oil Spray: Spraying both sides of the cornstarch-coated chicken thighs with cooking oil spray will further enhance the browning and crisping process, resulting in a golden-brown and irresistibly crisp surface.
Avoid Overlapping the Chicken: To ensure that the chicken cooks evenly on all sides, it’s essential to arrange the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each piece. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven cooking and a less crispy result.
Adjust Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thinner honey garlic sauce, simply add a little more water to the sauce while it’s simmering on the stovetop. Conversely, if you desire a thicker sauce, use a bit more cornstarch slurry to achieve your preferred consistency.

Close up of air fryer chicken thighs covered in sauce served on a plate with green onion on top.

Recipe FAQs

Why didn’t my chicken thighs turn out crispy?

While the chicken won’t be as crispy as if you used a breading, it should still have a thin, crisp layer. Several factors can contribute to a lack of crispiness, including: excess moisture on the chicken’s surface, an insufficient coating of cornstarch, or not spraying the chicken with oil before air frying. Additionally, the chicken may not have been cooked long enough. Even if the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), you can continue to air fry it for a few more minutes to enhance its crispiness. Chicken thighs are more forgiving than chicken breasts and are less likely to become tough or rubbery if slightly overcooked.

If the chicken is coated in sauce, why does it need to be crispy?

Adding a thin, crisp coating to the chicken before adding the sauce serves several purposes. First, it enhances the overall texture of the dish, providing a pleasant contrast between the crispy chicken and the smooth sauce. Second, the slightly rough surface of the crisp coating helps the honey garlic sauce cling to the chicken more effectively, ensuring that each bite is bursting with flavor.

Can I substitute with bone-in chicken thighs?

Yes, you can absolutely use bone-in chicken thighs in this recipe. However, you’ll need to increase the air frying time by approximately 8-10 minutes to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked through.

More Delicious Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

If you’re a fan of cooking chicken in the air fryer, here are a few more recipes you might enjoy:

Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Bites: These bite-sized chicken pieces are perfect for appetizers or snacks.
Crispy Air Fryer Cornflake Chicken Strips: These chicken strips are coated in crushed cornflakes for an extra crispy texture.
Air Fryer Chicken Schnitzel: A healthier version of the classic German dish.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below!

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Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with Honey Garlic Sauce

Author: Leanne
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 pieces
Category: Dinner
Method: Air Fry
Cuisine: Canadian, Chinese

Print Recipe

Description

These Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs are tender and juicy with a light, crisp coating and tossed in a homemade honey garlic sauce. Dinner is ready in just 30 minutes!

Ingredients

For the chicken:

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 – 2 pounds), excess fat trimmed
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

For the sauce:

1/4 cup (85g) honey
2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon fancy molasses
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar
5 garlic cloves, minced
Cornstarch slurry: 1/4 cup water + 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
In a small bowl, mix together the cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Coat the chicken on all sides.
Spray both sides of the chicken thighs with oil and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 400F for 12-15 minutes or until lightly crisp and golden, stopping after 7-8 minutes to flip the pieces over. The internal temperature should be at least 165F.
While the chicken air fries, add the honey, soy sauce, water, molasses, vinegar, sugar and garlic to a small sauce pan. Stir together over medium heat until it starts to bubble.
Make a cornstarch slurry by whisking together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water. Whisk into the honey mixture and stir until thickened. Remove from heat.
Transfer the air fried chicken to a serving dish and pour the warm sauce over the chicken. Serve with sliced green onions and/or chopped fresh parsley along with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

Make sure the chicken is evenly coated with the cornstarch and seasoning mixture. The cornstarch helps absorb moisture and contribute to a crispy texture.
To ensure the chicken cooks evenly on all sides, it should be placed in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
If you prefer a honey garlic sauce that’s thinner, just add more water. If you prefer a thicker sauce, use more cornstarch slurry.

Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken Thighs: An Air Fryer Delight