Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken
This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken recipe delivers perfectly crispy, juicy chicken with a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal ideal for busy weeknights. The glaze caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer, giving every bite a sticky, irresistible coating without the extra oil or mess of deep-frying.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 4 chicken thighs or breasts, skin-on for extra crispiness
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free option)
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to ensure the coating crisps up well. Lightly coat each piece with olive oil, then season with salt and black pepper to create the perfect base for texture and flavor.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and optionally chili flakes if you prefer some heat. This sauce will provide the signature sweet and savory glaze.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow for even cooking and crisping. Cook at 380°F (193°C) for about 15 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through to ensure both sides become crispy and juicy.
- Glaze and Final Cook: Brush the chicken generously with the honey garlic sauce. Return to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and create a sticky, flavorful coating.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a minute before serving. This resting time locks in juices and melds the flavors perfectly.
Notes
- Pat dry chicken before cooking for maximum crispness.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; leave space between pieces for even air circulation.
- Adjust cooking time for thicker cuts; use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Apply sauce in layers during cooking for a deeper, sticky glaze without burning.
- Let the chicken rest briefly after cooking to keep it juicy and flavorful.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 piece of chicken with sauce)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Air Fryer, Honey Garlic Chicken, Quick Dinner, Gluten Free, Healthy, Crispy Chicken, Weeknight Meal