Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
These easy Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs offer a quick, healthy, and flavorful weeknight dinner. Juicy, crispy chicken thighs are coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze, cooked to perfection in under 30 minutes using an air fryer to lock in moisture and achieve crispy skin with less oil.
- Author: Kathy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Total Time: 28-30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Honey Garlic Marinade
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined. This mixture will be the magic behind your chicken’s incredible flavor.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a shallow dish or zip-top bag and pour half of the marinade over them. Let them sit for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator to absorb all the delicious flavors.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for about 5 minutes; this ensures crispy skin and even cooking.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. Cook for 10 minutes, flip them, brush with the remaining marinade, then cook for another 8-10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Glaze and Serve: Once cooked, brush the chicken thighs with any leftover honey garlic sauce, allow them to rest for a few minutes, and then serve hot for an unbeatable dish with glossy, flavorful skin.
Notes
- Dry the Skin: Pat the chicken skin dry with paper towels before marinating for extra crispiness.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Place chicken thighs in a single layer to ensure even cooking and prevent sogginess.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Check the internal temperature to avoid undercooking or drying out the chicken.
- Double the Sauce: Make extra marinade to brush on while the chicken cooks for a super sticky finish.
- Rest Before Serving: Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes locks in the juices and keeps the meat tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: air fryer chicken, honey garlic chicken, quick chicken recipe, healthy chicken thighs, weeknight dinner, crispy chicken