Description
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken is a quick, healthy, and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze. This easy recipe uses an air fryer to achieve a crispy exterior without deep frying, making it perfect for busy weeknights or crowd-pleasing meals with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless chicken thighs or breasts
Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasoning & Coating
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- Optional: crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season lightly with salt and pepper. This helps the coating stick and enhances flavor.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and olive oil until well combined.
- Coat the Chicken: Lightly dust each chicken piece with cornstarch or arrowroot powder to create a crispy crust. Then brush or toss the chicken in the honey garlic sauce until evenly coated.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even crispiness and juicy texture.
- Glaze and Serve: Once cooked, brush the chicken with any remaining honey garlic sauce. Let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle beautifully.
Notes
- Dry the chicken well to ensure a crispier finish.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation.
- Flip the chicken halfway through cooking for golden, crispy results on both sides.
- Check doneness with a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Use fresh garlic for a more aromatic and pungent flavor compared to garlic powder or paste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: air fryer, honey garlic chicken, quick chicken recipe, healthy chicken, crispy chicken, gluten-free chicken, weeknight dinner