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My children constantly ask for Chinese delivery every single week, but I've finally mastered this Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken recipe! It turns out incredibly crunchy, smothered in the most amazing clingy sweet glaze, and it's done in roughly 20 minutes. We don't need to order in anymore!
Why This Dish Rocks
Your air fryer creates such crunchy chicken using barely any oil - much healthier than deep frying! The glaze balances everything perfectly - sweet honey, loads of garlic, and a tiny bit of spice if that's your thing. And it's incredibly simple to put together when you're exhausted and don't want to cook.
Ingredients List
- Chicken: Thighs are my preference but chunks of breast meat work wonderfully too.
- Cornstarch: The secret to that amazing crunch!
- Sauce Components: Honey, some broth, rice vinegar, soy sauce.
- Butter: Gives the sauce that velvety texture.
- Fresh Garlic: This is where the magic happens!
- Simple Seasonings: Only salt and pepper needed.
- Cooking Spray: Keeps everything from getting stuck.
Cooking Instructions
- Preparation Steps
- Start by heating your air fryer to 350°F. Meanwhile, mix your chicken chunks with cornstarch and seasonings until fully covered. Just like those shake-and-bake packages!
- Cooking The Chicken
- Don't forget to spray your basket with oil! Arrange those chicken pieces with space between them. Add a quick spray on the top too. They'll cook about 5 minutes, then you'll flip and cook a few more minutes until golden and fully done.
- Creating The Glaze
- While your chicken cooks, let's work on that amazing sauce. Start by melting butter, add plenty of garlic, then pour in honey, broth, vinegar, and soy sauce. Let it cook down until it starts thickening. If you want some kick, add those pepper flakes now!
- Final Assembly
- When your chicken finishes cooking, immediately mix it into that hot glaze. Watch as it gets shiny and delicious. Serve it right away while it's hot and the sauce still clings perfectly!
Pro Suggestions
Always use a meat thermometer to check your chicken - you want to hit 165°F exactly. If your family loves heat, throw in extra pepper flakes, or leave them out for milder tastes. This amazing glaze works on wings too, just cook them longer. Run out of cornstarch? Just grab some potato starch instead!
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Storage Options
This tasty chicken stays good in your fridge for around 3 days - assuming it doesn't vanish before then! Just store it in a sealed container. You can even stick it in the freezer for up to two months. When warming it up, a microwave works okay, but it won't stay as crunchy as when freshly made.
Complete Dinner Ideas
We typically serve this over soft rice that soaks up all that wonderful sauce. For something green, I often toss green beans into the air fryer right after taking the chicken out. My spouse really enjoys it with a simple cucumber salad on the side - that fresh crunch pairs wonderfully with the sticky chicken.
Tasty Variations
I sometimes mix in a tablespoon of hoisin sauce, or toss in some ginger alongside the garlic. My sibling makes this with chicken wings for sports gatherings. The sauce tastes so fantastic, you might want to make extra - we always do!
Crowd Pleaser
This dish has become our Tuesday evening tradition - it's tastier than takeout and costs way less too! Try making it yourself, I'm sure it'll become your new favorite chicken dish!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why use cornstarch on the chicken?
Cornstarch makes the coating crispier while also making the sauce stick to the chicken better.
- → How can I add more heat?
If you want it spicier, toss in extra red chili flakes for a bolder kick. The current balance is mildly sweet with a tiny zing.
- → What if I want to use whole chicken pieces?
Whole thighs or drumsticks work well. Just adjust cooking to about 20-25 minutes at 350°F.
- → Why avoid aerosol oil sprays?
These sprays can ruin the coating in your air fryer. Instead, opt for a reusable oil spray bottle.
- → Could I prepare the sauce before cooking?
Making the sauce fresh while the chicken cooks is best, but you can mix the coating ingredients ahead of time.