This crispy honey garlic chicken is crunchy, sticky, sweet, and dripping in glossy honey garlic glaze. Better than takeout, but easy to make at home.

This recipe is similar to my honey garlic chicken bites, but I wanted to see if I could make an air fryer version that was just as good. Safe to say, it worked.

This time, I used cornstarch instead of potato starch for the coating since it crisps up really well in the air fryer even without much oil. 

The honey garlic glaze is still just as sweet, sticky, and garlicky, but I added ginger powder for that warm takeout-style flavor that makes it even better.

It’s crispy, saucy, ridiculously easy to make, and still better than takeout. Try this with rice and thank me later. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken: Any boneless chicken works here, like chicken thighs, chicken breast, or chicken tenders. Cut it into bite-sized pieces so it cooks evenly and gets coated well. 
• Cornstarch: This gives the chicken that light, crispy coating.
• Salt, Garlic Powder, Pepper: These season the chicken before it gets coated and cooked.
• Honey: Gives the sauce its sticky sweetness.
• Soy sauce: This adds the savory, salty flavor that balances the honey.
• Rice vinegar: A little vinegar cuts through the sweetness.
• Brown sugar: Helps the sauce thicken and makes it extra glossy.
• Ginger powder: Adds a warm, slightly spicy flavor to the sauce.

How to Make Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken

1. Coat the chicken

Add bite-sized chicken thighs to a large zip-top bag with the cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Seal the bag and shake until the chicken is evenly coated.

2. Air fry

Shake off any excess coating from the chicken. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil, then place the chicken in a single layer. Spray the tops lightly with oil as well.

Air fry at 390°F for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

3. Make the honey garlic sauce.

Add the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, and ginger powder to a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened.

4. Toss everything together.

Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and toss until fully coated. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to the chicken. Garnish with sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy!

Tips for Extra Crispy Chicken

• Pat the chicken dry: Remove excess moisture to help the coating stick better and crisp up more in the air fryer.
• Shake off excess coating: Too much cornstarch can turn gummy instead of crispy.
• Spray with oil: Lightly spraying both the basket and the chicken helps the coating turn golden brown and crunchy.
• Don’t overcrowd the basket: Give the chicken space so the hot air can circulate properly and crisp everything evenly.
• Serve immediately: The chicken stays crispiest right after tossing it in the sauce.

How to Make the Honey Garlic Sauce Stick Better

• Simmer the sauce first: Let the sauce bubble for a few minutes to help it thicken and cling to the chicken better.
• Add the chicken while hot: Toss the chicken into the sauce straight from the air fryer to help the sauce coat better.
• Cook everything together briefly: Let  the chicken simmer in the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes to help the coating absorb flavor.

Variations and Substitutions

• Chicken breast: You can use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs  – just be careful not to overcook it since it dries out faster.
• Potato starch: Potato starch works great in place of cornstarch and gives the chicken a light and crispy coating.
• Add spice: Toss in some red pepper flakes, sriracha, or chili crisp for a spicy honey garlic chicken.
• Fresh garlic and ginger: Swap the garlic powder and ginger powder for freshly minced garlic and ginger for a stronger flavor.
• Make it sweeter: Add a little extra honey or brown sugar if you like a sweeter sauce.
• Soy sauce substitute: Low-sodium soy sauce works perfectly if you want to cut back on salt.
• Green onions: Top the chicken with sliced green onions for extra freshness and crunch.

What to Serve With Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken

• Rice: Plain white or fried rice both work perfectly with the sticky honey garlic sauce.
• Steamed vegetables: Broccoli, green beans, bok choy, or carrots add something fresh and simple on the side.
• Noodles: Lo mein, chow mein, or simple garlic noodles turn this into a more filling takeout-style meal.
• Egg rolls: Crispy egg rolls or spring rolls make the perfect crunchy side for this sweet and savory chicken. 

How to Store and Reheat

To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To Reheat: Air fry the chicken at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes until hot and crispy again. You can also reheat it in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes. 

I’d avoid the microwave if possible since it softens the coating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Chicken Breast Instead of Chicken Thighs?

Yes! Chicken breast works too – I just personally prefer chicken thighs because they’re juicier and more flavorful. If using chicken breast, make sure not to overcook it since it dries out faster. 

How Do You Keep Fried Chicken Crispy After Adding Sauce?

The key is making sure the chicken gets really crispy before tossing it in the sauce. I also like simmering the sauce a little first so it thickens up instead of making the coating soggy. Even after tossing, the chicken still keeps a nice crunch. 

Can I Pan-Fry Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken?

Definitely. Instead of air frying, you can shallow fry the chicken in oil over medium heat until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan so the chicken crisps up properly. 

More Chicken Dinner Recipes You’ll Love

Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings

Easy Oyakodon Recipe

Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Chicken Piccata with Thighs

Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken

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Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook 20 minutes mins

This crispy honey garlic chicken is crunchy, sticky, sweet, and dripping in glossy honey garlic glaze. Better than takeout, but easy to make at home.

Servings 3 servings

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Ingredients

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• ▢ 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
• ▢ ½ cup cornstarch
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ Oil spray

For the honey garlic sauce:

• ▢ 3 tablespoons honey
• ▢ 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• ▢ 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ginger powder
• ▢ Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

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1. Add the chicken thighs to a large zip-top bag. Pour in the cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Seal the bag and shake until the chicken is evenly coated.
2. Shake off any excess coating from the chicken. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil, then place the chicken in a single layer. Spray the tops of the chicken lightly with oil as well. Air fry at 390°F for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and crispy.
3. While the chicken cooks, add the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, and ginger powder to a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and toss until every piece is completely coated. Continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and soaks into the coating. Garnish with sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving1 servingCalories327 kcalCarbohydrates29 gProtein24 gFat12 gSaturated Fat3 gPolyunsaturated Fat2 gMonounsaturated Fat5 gCholesterol114 mgSodium1096 mgPotassium320 mgSugar19 gVitamin A45 IUVitamin C1 mgCalcium21 mgIron2 mg

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