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Air Fryer Honey Chicken Thighs

This air fryer honey chicken thighs recipe is sweet, juicy, and crispy all at once. It’s one of those dinners that makes everyone at the table happy — even my teens who pretend they are food critics. The honey glaze gives it a little sticky sweetness that tastes so good with crispy chicken skin. Plus, it cooks fast in the air fryer, so dinner is ready before the chaos starts.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 6 bone-in chicken thighs skin on
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari if gluten free
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: sesame seeds and green onions for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This helps them get nice and crispy.
  • In a small bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
  • Brush the glaze all over each chicken thigh. Let it sit for about 10 minutes if you have time, so the flavor soaks in.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place chicken skin-side down in the basket. Cook for 12 minutes, flip, brush more glaze, then cook for another 10 to 12 minutes until golden and crisp.
  • The inside should be at least 165°F. If you want the skin extra crunchy, cook 2 to 3 minutes longer.
  • Top with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve hot with rice, veggies, or salad for a complete meal.

Notes

Tips

  • Always pat chicken dry before cooking — it makes a big difference for crispy skin.
  • Do not overcrowd the basket. Give each piece space so air can move around.
  • If you love extra sauce, make a double batch of the honey glaze to drizzle on top before serving.
  • Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes.

Variations

  • Spicy Honey Chicken: Add a few drops of hot sauce or a sprinkle of chili flakes to the honey glaze.
  • Garlic Lover’s Twist: Add extra garlic powder or minced fresh garlic to the sauce.
  • Maple Version: Swap honey for maple syrup for a different kind of sweetness.
  • Boneless Option: Use boneless chicken thighs and cook for about 16–18 minutes instead.
  • Asian-Inspired Flavor: Add a teaspoon of sesame oil and a splash of rice vinegar to the glaze.