Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Introduction
This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken is a quick and delicious weeknight meal that combines crispy chicken pieces with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. Using the air fryer makes it both healthier and easy to prepare without sacrificing flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast or chicken thighs, cut into bite-size cubes
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 5 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: In a bowl, toss the chicken cubes with cornstarch, salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon soy sauce until evenly coated.
- Step 3: Lightly spray the bottom of the preheated air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the basket and spray a little more oil over the top.
- Step 4: Air fry at 350 degrees F for 5 minutes. Then flip the chicken and cook for an additional 3–5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F.
- Step 5: While the chicken cooks, whisk together honey, chicken broth, rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a bowl.
- Step 6: Heat a pan over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the sauce mixture and cook for about 2 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
- Step 7: Once the chicken is done, add it to the pan with the warm honey garlic sauce. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly.
- Step 8: Serve immediately with rice and garnish with green onions and extra red pepper flakes if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, let the coated chicken rest for 10 minutes before air frying to help the cornstarch stick better.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier results or breast for a leaner option.
- Add vegetables like steamed broccoli or bell peppers to serve alongside for a balanced meal.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your taste.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or air fryer to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it may make the chicken soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken for even cooking in the air fryer. Frozen chicken might cook unevenly and result in a less crispy texture.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
To thicken the sauce further, simmer it a bit longer until it reaches your desired consistency or add a small slurry of cornstarch and water before cooking it in the pan.
PrintAir Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken recipe features tender bite-sized chicken pieces perfectly cooked in an air fryer for a crispy exterior. Coated in a luscious homemade honey garlic sauce with a hint of spice from red pepper flakes, this dish is simple to make and packed with flavor. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a delicious and healthier alternative to fried chicken, perfect served over rice and garnished with green onions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American-Asian Fusion
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast or chicken thighs, cut into bite-size cubes
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Oil spray for air fryer basket
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 5 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Additional black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Green onions, sliced (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to preheat at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 5 minutes to ensure it is hot and ready for cooking the chicken evenly.
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the bite-sized chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of soy sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat each piece evenly with the seasoning and cornstarch for a crispy finish.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Spray the bottom of the preheated air fryer basket lightly with oil to prevent sticking. Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer inside the basket and spray a little more oil on top of the chicken to help with browning.
- Cook the Chicken: Air fry the chicken at 350 degrees F for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, flip the chicken over to cook the other side and continue air frying for an additional 3-5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. Check that the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F using an instant-read thermometer for food safety.
- Make the Sauce: While the chicken is air frying, mix together honey, chicken broth, rice vinegar, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a bowl to prepare the honey garlic sauce base.
- Sauté Garlic and Thicken Sauce: Heat a pan over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the chopped garlic and sauté approximately 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and cook for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat once done.
- Combine Chicken with Sauce: When the chicken is cooked, transfer it to the pan with the warm honey garlic sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly with the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Serve the honey garlic chicken hot with steamed rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra pop of color and heat if desired.
Notes
- Using an instant-read thermometer ensures the chicken is safely cooked to 165°F internal temperature.
- Spraying oil on both the air fryer basket and chicken promotes even browning and prevents sticking.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to desired spice level or omit for a milder sauce.
- Garnishes like green onions add a fresh contrast and visual appeal.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breast for juicier, more flavorful results.
- The cornstarch coating is key for achieving a crispy exterior in the air fryer.
Keywords: Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken, crispy chicken, honey garlic sauce, easy dinner recipe, air fryer chicken, quick chicken recipe
