Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Juicy and flavorful Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs featuring crispy edges and a sweet garlic glaze. This quick and easy recipe balances sticky sweetness with savory garlic goodness, cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer. Perfect for a hassle-free weeknight meal or an impressive dinner that everyone will love.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 4–6 bone-in or boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
Honey Garlic Glaze
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Additional black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. This glaze coats the chicken with flavor and helps it crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. Lightly season them with a pinch of salt and pepper. Coat each piece evenly with the honey garlic glaze, reserving some glaze for brushing during cooking.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and preheat for about 3 minutes to ensure the chicken starts cooking immediately with a crisp exterior.
- Cook the Chicken Thighs: Place the thighs skin-side down in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip the chicken over, brush with the remaining glaze, and cook for another 8-10 minutes. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on thigh size.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to lock in the juices and finish caramelization. Drizzle any leftover glaze on top or toss the chicken in it for extra shine and flavor before serving.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry thoroughly before marinating for maximum crispiness.
- Use skin-on thighs for best texture and flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; allow air circulation for even cooking.
- Check internal temperature; chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Reserve some glaze to brush halfway through cooking to build layers of flavor without burning sugars.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: air fryer chicken, honey garlic chicken, chicken thighs, quick dinner, crispy chicken, gluten free