Easy Air Fryer Honey Chicken

Rice and honey chicken on a plate image.

Charlotte Anderson @ Carolina Honeybees, LLC

Enjoy the taste of fried chicken using the "baking" method with very little oil. Air Fryer chicken is crispy and delicious. Coated in a sweet and tangy honey sauce this dish lets the honey flavor shine through. You can make it in one pan or air fry the chicken pieces and finish the entree on the stove.

Try various flavors of honey - such as orange blossom or clover to vary the taste. Even the kids will love them!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings servings

Calories 300 kcal

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Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

6 pieces chicken thighs: boneless, skinless
4 tbsp cornstarch
3/4 cup raw honey
1/3 cup Soy Sauce
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tbsp olive oil (optional)

Instructions

Cut and Coat the Chicken
Cut the chicken thighs into chunks - large nugget size is good. Place them in a medium sized mixing bowl and sprinkle cornstarch over them.
Just a little cornstarch is necessary. Add a bit and stir or toss the chicken pieces to coat them - add a bit more and repeat if needed. You do not want a thick coating - just a little.
If you have oil spray, a very light mist over the chicken pieces is advisable. If you do not have a spray, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the bowl and stir well to coat.
Preheat Air Fryer
Rub a very light coat of oil on the air fryer basket to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Preheat your air fryer. While they are all similar there are also differences - follow the directions for your model.
I preheat my unit at 390° F for 5 minutes.
Cook Until Done
Arrange chicken pieces in fryer basket - do not crowd. There should be room around each piece for air to flow. Depending on the size of your unit, you may have to use 2 cook cycles.
Cook at 390° F for 6- 8 minutes - then carefully remove basket. Be careful it is hot! Use silicone coated tongs to turn each piece of chicken over.
Return to fryer and cook for an additional 6-8 (or until the internal temperature of the chicken pieces reach 165° F. Some recipes call for a much longer cook time.
However, in my unit - chicken cooked much longer becomes dry and hard. Of course, it will depend on the cut of the chicken and how big your cubes are.
Making the Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, it's time to prepare your sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, ginger and ketchup. Use a whisk to combine them well and heat on a low-medium setting.
Bring the mixture to a low boil. Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and mix well. Continue to heat and add more cornstarch if necessary until you have the thickness you desire.
Watch this carefully, otherwise it will boil over and make a big mess!
Combining Chicken and Honey Sauce
When the chicken is done and the sauce is ready, combine both in a medium skillet. Stir to coat all the chicken pieces and keep on low heat for just a few minutes.
This air fryer honey chicken recipe is yummy over white rice. But you can also pair it with a favorite vegetable.

Notes

* Use a meat thermometer to know when your chicken is done. It is very easy to overcook due to the differences in thighs.

*As the chicken cooks the pieces will shrink - you may think you have too many pieces but you will not feel that way once all is done.

*Be careful with fryer, chicken and honey sauce - avoid burns.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 1154mgPotassium: 113mgFiber: 1gSugar: 60gVitamin A: 39IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg

Keyword honey

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