Honey Sesame Air Fryer Chicken Thighs – Crispy Air Fried Food Everyone Craves

I have three teenagers and they are always hungry. I mean always. Sometimes I feel like I spend my whole day cooking or cleaning up after them. But lately I have been making air fried chicken thighs and let me tell you, it has been a total game changer. The air fryer makes the skin so crispy and the inside stays juicy and tender. It tastes like real air fried food but way easier and cleaner.

This air fryer chicken thighs recipe has become one of my favorite dinners when I am tired and do not want to make a big mess. I can season the thighs, toss them in the air fryer, and they come out golden brown and full of flavor. It is one of the best chicken thigh recipe air fryer ideas I have tried. My teens always come running when they smell it cooking.

I usually make bone in chicken thighs because they turn out extra juicy. The air fryer does all the hard work. It gives you that perfect crispy air fryer chicken without all the grease. I have tried so many chicken thighs recipes over the years, and this one might be my favorite. It is one of those easy air fryer recipes chicken thighs that you can make anytime and it always turns out right.

If you are new to cooking chicken thighs, or you just want something quick and delicious, this is it. You can play around with different chicken thigh seasoning recipes and find what your family loves best. It is one of those chicken thighs air fryer recipes that everyone likes, even my pickiest kid.

I love trying new air fryer recipes, and this one fits right in with my busy life. It is simple, fast, and tastes amazing. Whether you call it air fry chicken thighs, air fryer thighs, or just crispy air fryer chicken thighs, it is always a win. This thighs recipe is one of those dinners that make you feel proud because it looks fancy but it is so easy. And the best part is my teenagers always say it tastes better than takeout.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 4 to 6 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Honey Sesame Glaze:

• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari for gluten free)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (optional for thicker glaze)
• Sesame seeds for topping
• Chopped green onions for garnish

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Rub them with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. I like to make sure every piece is coated so the skin gets really crispy in the air fryer.

Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken thighs in the basket skin side down. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip and cook another 10 to 12 minutes. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The skin should be golden and crispy.

Step 3: Make the Honey Sesame Glaze

While the chicken cooks, combine honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until it thickens slightly. If you want it extra glossy, add the cornstarch mixture and stir until smooth. The glaze smells amazing while it cooks.

Step 4: Glaze the Chicken

Once the chicken is done, brush the honey sesame sauce all over or toss the chicken gently in the sauce. Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top. It looks so pretty on the plate and smells so good that the kids came running from the living room.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve this chicken with rice, noodles, or your favorite veggies. My kids love it with steamed rice and roasted broccoli. It makes dinner feel fancy but it really only takes like 30 minutes from start to finish.

This recipe has become one of my go-to dinners because it is fast, easy, and everyone loves it. Sometimes I make a double batch so I have leftovers for lunch boxes the next day. My husband even said this chicken tastes better than anything we have gotten from takeout. My little ones always fight over the last piece and it makes me so happy that they actually eat something healthy without complaining.

If you are looking for a simple, quick, and super tasty dinner that your whole family will love, you should definitely try these Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs.

Meal Prep Tips

Meal prepping with air fryer chicken thighs has been a total time saver for me. Between school runs, sports, and my kids eating like they have bottomless stomachs, I need dinners that can stretch through the week. These meal prep tips help keep everything easy and still super tasty.

1. Cook extra chicken thighs. I always make a few more than we need because my teens love leftovers. The air fryer thighs reheat really well, and you can use them in so many ways during the week.
2. Store in airtight containers. Once the chicken cools, I pack them in containers with rice or veggies. I keep a few ready for lunches or quick dinners. It makes those busy nights way less stressful.
3. Keep the glaze separate. If you are using a sauce or glaze like honey sesame or teriyaki, store it in a small jar on the side. Add it after reheating so the chicken stays crispy and not soggy.
4. Reheat in the air fryer. Never microwave if you want crispy skin again. Just pop the thighs back in the air fryer for 4 to 5 minutes at 375 degrees. It tastes like you just cooked it fresh.
5. Switch up the sides. To keep things fun, I change the sides each day. Sometimes I serve the crispy air fryer chicken with noodles, sometimes with roasted potatoes, or even chopped up in a wrap. The kids love the change.
6. Pre-season and freeze. When I buy a big pack of bone in chicken thighs, I season them with my favorite mix and freeze them in bags. That way, I can pull them out, toss them in the air fryer, and dinner is halfway done.
7. Use leftovers for new meals. Leftover thighs chicken can turn into tacos, rice bowls, or sandwiches. It keeps everyone happy and saves me from hearing “Mom, what is for dinner?” again.

Meal prepping with air fryer chicken thighs really helps me stay sane during the week. It saves time, money, and energy, and it feels so good knowing dinner is already handled before the chaos even starts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs Recipe Card

Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken Thighs

This air fryer honey sesame chicken thighs recipe is my family’s new favorite dinner. The chicken comes out crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a sweet sticky honey sesame glaze that tastes like takeout. The best part is it is quick and simple, perfect for busy nights when you still want something homemade. My three teenagers always clean their plates with this one.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken

• 4 to 6 bone in skin on chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Honey Sesame Glaze

• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water optional, to thicken
• Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions

 

• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper all over each piece. Make sure it is coated evenly so it crisps up well.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Place the chicken thighs skin side down in the basket. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip and cook another 10 to 12 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden. The inside should reach 165 degrees.
• While the chicken cooks, combine honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and minced garlic in a small saucepan. Heat over medium until it starts to bubble. Add the cornstarch mix if you want it thicker. Stir until smooth and shiny.
• Once the chicken is cooked, brush the honey sesame glaze over each thigh or toss them gently in a bowl with the sauce. Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions on top.
• Serve with steamed rice, noodles, or veggies. The glaze is sweet and savory, and the chicken is tender with crispy skin that everyone will love.

Notes

Tips

• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. The chicken needs space to crisp up.
• Pat the chicken dry before cooking for the crispiest skin.
• If you like extra sauce, double the glaze ingredients.
• Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for 4 to 5 minutes to keep them crispy.
• Try boneless chicken thighs for a faster cook time, about 16 to 18 minutes.

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Variations

• Spicy Honey Sesame: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or red chili flakes to the glaze for a little heat.
• Garlic Lover’s Version: Add extra minced garlic or a dash of garlic chili paste for bold flavor.
• Sweet and Tangy: Mix a spoon of orange juice into the glaze for a fun twist.
• No Soy Option: Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a lighter flavor.
• Crispy Honey Garlic: Skip the sesame oil and add a bit of ginger for a garlicky kick.

I still can not believe how much my kids love these air fryer chicken thighs. It is wild because they used to hate chicken night, but now they actually get excited when they smell it cooking. I think it is because these air fried chicken thighs taste like takeout but way better. The skin gets so crunchy and golden, just like real air fryer fried chicken, but without all that greasy mess.

This is now one of my favorite air fryer chicken thighs recipes because it saves me time and it always turns out perfect. Every time I air fry chicken thighs, the house smells so good that my teens start asking when dinner is ready. The air fryer oven makes cooking chicken thighs so easy. I just season the bone in chicken thighs, toss them in, and they come out juicy and crispy every time.

If you are trying to find the best chicken thigh recipe air fryer style, this one is a total keeper. It is the kind of crispy air fryer chicken thighs that makes everyone go back for seconds. I love that I can play around with chicken thigh seasoning recipes too, like adding honey, garlic, or even a little spice. There are so many ways to make fun new air fryer recipes out of the same simple chicken thighs recipe.

What I love most is how these airfryer chicken thighs fit into our busy family life. Between school, sports, and teenage drama, I need dinners that do not take forever but still feel homemade. This is it. It is quick, tasty, and full of flavor. I think it might be one of the best air fry recipes I have made yet.

If you have been thinking about trying chicken thighs air fryer recipes or just want to learn more about cooking chicken thighs, this is a great place to start. These crispy air fryer chicken thighs are everything I want in a meal—easy, delicious, and totally loved by my kids. It is one of those thighs chicken recipes that makes you smile when you see empty plates at the end.

So next time you are planning dinner, pull out those chicken thighs and try this air fryer recipe. It is simple, it is fast, and it will make your kitchen smell amazing. Once you taste it, you will see why this thighs recipe has become our family favorite.

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