Air fryer honey garlic chicken is a flavor-packed dish that’s as easy to make as it is delicious. It’s the perfect combination of crispy chicken coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory sauce that brings together honey, garlic, and a hint of heat. Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner or hosting a small gathering, this dish checks all the boxes. The good news? You can make it in under 30 minutes with minimal prep and cleanup.
In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the ingredients, cooking process, and helpful tips to make this dish the star of your kitchen. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home cook, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make the best air fryer honey garlic chicken.
Why Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken is a Must-Try
Air fryer honey garlic chicken is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. Here’s why you’ll love it:
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Quick & Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. No need to deal with long cooking times or complicated steps.
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Crispy & Juicy: The air fryer makes the chicken crisp on the outside, while keeping it juicy and tender on the inside.
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Healthier Option: By using the air fryer, you get a crispy result without deep frying, significantly cutting down on oil and calories compared to traditional frying methods.
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Simple Ingredients: The beauty of this dish lies in the simplicity of the ingredients. You likely already have most of them in your pantry.
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Kid-Friendly Flavor: The sticky honey garlic sauce is sweet, savory, and has just the right amount of spice to keep both kids and adults satisfied.
Let’s get started with all the information you need to create the perfect honey garlic chicken in the air fryer!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken
For this recipe, we keep things simple, focusing on fresh ingredients that are easy to find. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:
Chicken:
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Boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs: Both work well, but chicken breasts tend to cook faster and are a leaner option. If you prefer dark meat, chicken thighs provide extra juiciness.
Coating:
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Cornstarch: This helps achieve that crispy exterior. It’s an essential step for getting the perfect crunch in the air fryer. If you don’t have cornstarch, potato starch is a great alternative.
Honey Garlic Sauce:
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Honey: Adds the perfect sweetness and thickens up to create a glossy, sticky glaze.
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Garlic: Fresh garlic brings a rich, aromatic flavor that pairs perfectly with the honey.
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Soy Sauce: Adds a savory umami depth to the sauce, balancing out the sweetness of the honey.
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Rice Vinegar: A splash of rice vinegar brings a subtle tang that enhances the flavor of the sauce.
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Chicken Broth: Helps thin out the sauce while adding a savory base.
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Butter: A small amount of butter makes the sauce silky smooth and rich.
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Red Pepper Flakes: Add a kick of heat, which balances out the sweetness of the honey. Adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
How to Make Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken
Let’s break down the cooking process step-by-step. This will guide you through every detail to make sure your chicken turns out perfect every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
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Preheat the Air Fryer: Start by preheating your air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes.
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Coat the Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, add the cubed chicken. Sprinkle over the cornstarch, salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Mix until the chicken is evenly coated. This will give it that crispy, golden finish when cooked.
Tip: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches. Spreading the pieces in a single layer helps them crisp up more evenly.
Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken
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Air Fry: Place the coated chicken pieces in the preheated air fryer basket. Lightly spray the chicken with a small amount of oil to encourage crispiness. Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 5 minutes.
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Flip & Continue Cooking: After 5 minutes, use tongs to flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Pro Tip: Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. This ensures your chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
Step 3: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
While the chicken is air frying, it’s time to prepare the sauce. This part is quick and easy!
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Sauté the Garlic: In a small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
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Combine the Sauce Ingredients: Add honey, chicken broth, rice vinegar, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and black pepper to the pan. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
Tip: If you want a more intense garlic flavor, feel free to add an extra clove of garlic. Adjust the red pepper flakes to make the sauce as spicy as you like.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken with the Sauce
Once your chicken is air fried to crispy perfection, it’s time to toss it in the honey garlic sauce.
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Combine: Add the cooked chicken pieces into the skillet with the sauce and toss to coat. Stir gently to make sure the chicken is evenly covered in the sticky, sweet sauce.
Tip: For extra flavor, garnish the finished dish with chopped green onions and an extra sprinkle of red pepper flakes. This adds a nice touch of color and freshness to your meal.
How to Serve Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken
Air fryer honey garlic chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Here are some options to complement your dish:
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Steamed Rice: The sticky, sweet sauce soaks into the rice, making it the perfect base for this dish.
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Vegetables: Pair with steamed or roasted vegetables such as asparagus, green beans, or broccoli. The crispiness of the chicken contrasts nicely with the tenderness of the veggies.
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Simple Sides: In a pinch, you can serve this dish with microwaveable rice or even a quick salad to keep things easy.
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (though they might be rare!), here’s how to store them:
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Refrigeration: Store the leftover honey garlic chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
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Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken for up to 2 months. When reheating, the chicken may lose some of its crispiness, but it will still taste delicious.
Variations and Tips for Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken
Air fryer honey garlic chicken is versatile, and with a few small tweaks, you can customize it to your liking. Whether you’re looking to change the flavor profile or adapt it for dietary needs, here are some ideas:
1. Adjusting the Spice Level
While this recipe already includes red pepper flakes for a gentle kick, you can easily adjust the spice level to suit your taste:
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Milder: Reduce or eliminate the red pepper flakes altogether. Alternatively, you could substitute them with a pinch of paprika or smoked paprika to retain some flavor depth without the heat.
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Spicier: If you love a fiery kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes. You could also add a dash of hot sauce, sriracha, or even a chopped fresh chili pepper to the sauce.
2. Add Extra Garlic
For garlic lovers, the recipe can be modified to have a stronger garlic flavor. Increase the amount of fresh garlic in the sauce, or even add some garlic powder to the chicken coating for an extra punch.
3. Use Bone-In Chicken Thighs
While the recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, you can opt for bone-in thighs for a richer, more flavorful result. Bone-in chicken thighs take longer to cook (around 20-25 minutes), but they offer additional juiciness and tenderness, making them a great option for a heartier meal.
4. Experiment with Different Sweeteners
If you want to experiment with different flavors, you can try alternative sweeteners for the sauce:
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Maple Syrup: Swap the honey for maple syrup for a deeper, more earthy sweetness. This pairs well with the soy sauce’s umami flavor.
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Agave Nectar: Agave nectar is another excellent substitute for honey, offering a slightly milder sweetness without altering the texture of the sauce.
5. Add a Sweet & Savory Twist with Fruit
For an interesting variation, you can incorporate fruit into the dish to balance out the sweetness of the honey and add freshness:
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Pineapple: Adding fresh pineapple or canned pineapple chunks to the honey garlic sauce can bring a tropical twist to the recipe. Pineapple’s natural sweetness and acidity complement the savory flavors of the chicken.
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Apple: Sautéed apple slices can add a subtle sweetness and crisp texture that pairs nicely with the tender chicken and sticky sauce.
6. Low-Carb or Keto Version
If you’re following a low-carb or keto diet, you can adjust the recipe to fit your dietary needs:
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Replace the Cornstarch: Instead of cornstarch, use a keto-friendly alternative like almond flour or coconut flour for the chicken coating.
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Use a Sugar Substitute: For the sauce, you can substitute honey with a low-carb sweetener such as erythritol, monk fruit, or stevia. These alternatives will still provide the sweetness without the carbs.
7. Serve with Alternative Sides
For those looking to keep the meal lower in carbs, there are plenty of side options that pair beautifully with honey garlic chicken:
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Cauliflower Rice: Cauliflower rice is a great low-carb substitute for traditional rice. It soaks up the sauce beautifully, making it a perfect complement to the dish.
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Zoodles (Zucchini Noodles): Light and refreshing, zucchini noodles offer a healthy alternative to pasta or rice.
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Mashed Cauliflower: A creamy mashed cauliflower dish can provide the comforting feel of mashed potatoes, with fewer carbs.
8. Marinate for Extra Flavor
For even more flavor, marinate the chicken for an hour (or overnight) in the soy sauce, honey, garlic, and a little rice vinegar before cooking. This adds extra depth to the chicken and ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
Troubleshooting: Common Issues and Solutions
While air fryer honey garlic chicken is a simple recipe, there can be a few issues that might arise. Let’s look at some of the most common problems and how to avoid them:
1. Chicken Not Crispy Enough
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Cause: If your chicken isn’t crisping up as expected, it might be due to the amount of oil or cornstarch used.
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Solution: Make sure to coat the chicken evenly with cornstarch, and lightly spray it with oil before cooking. The oil helps achieve the crispy exterior, so don’t skimp on it. Also, ensure that the air fryer basket isn’t overcrowded, as this can prevent the chicken from crisping.
2. Burnt Garlic in the Sauce
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Cause: Garlic can burn easily when sautéed in butter, which can make the sauce bitter.
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Solution: Always sauté the garlic over medium heat, and don’t cook it for too long—30 seconds should be enough to release its flavor without burning. If you find your garlic is cooking too fast, turn the heat down slightly.
3. Chicken Drying Out
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Cause: Overcooking the chicken can lead to dry, tough meat.
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Solution: Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This guarantees that the chicken is cooked through but still juicy.
4. Too Much Sauce or Too Little Sauce
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Cause: Sometimes, the sauce might not coat the chicken as well as you’d like, or you may end up with too much sauce left over.
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Solution: If you’re making a large batch, you can double the sauce ingredients to ensure there’s enough for each piece of chicken. Alternatively, if you prefer a lighter coating, you can drizzle the sauce over the chicken just before serving rather than tossing it all in.
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe Card
Ingredients:
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For the Chicken:
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1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized cubes
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3 tablespoons cornstarch
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1 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon soy sauce
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For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
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1 tablespoon butter
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1 tablespoon chopped garlic
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5 tablespoons honey
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1/4 cup chicken broth
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1 tablespoon rice vinegar
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1 tablespoon soy sauce
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1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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Instructions:
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Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.
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Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, mix the cubed chicken with cornstarch, salt, pepper, and soy sauce. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated.
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Air Fry the Chicken: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the coated chicken in a single layer and lightly spray the top of the chicken. Air fry at 350°F for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, flip the chicken pieces and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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Make the Sauce: While the chicken is cooking, melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add honey, chicken broth, rice vinegar, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
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Combine: Once the chicken is done, transfer it to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the chicken evenly with the honey garlic sauce.
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Serve: Serve the honey garlic chicken over steamed rice and garnish with chopped green onions and additional red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes:
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Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket for the crispiest results. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
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For a spicier version, add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
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If you prefer, you can use bone-in chicken thighs, but cooking time will increase (about 20-25 minutes).
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Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutritional Facts (per serving):
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Calories: 355 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 38g
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Protein: 33g
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Fat: 8g
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Saturated Fat: 3g
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Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
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Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
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Trans Fat: 0.2g
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Cholesterol: 107mg
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Sodium: 1508mg
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Potassium: 621mg
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Fiber: 0.5g
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Sugar: 29g
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Vitamin A: 263IU
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Vitamin C: 3mg
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Calcium: 22mg
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Iron: 1mg
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American, Asian-inspired
Servings: 3
Calories: 355 kcal
Yield: 3 servings
