Air Fryer Asian Glazed Boneless Chicken Thighs

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe brings you the best of both worlds—crispy, caramelized chicken with a tender interior, all made in under 30 minutes. The air fryer delivers the perfect texture without the need for deep frying, and the sticky glaze clings beautifully to every bite. It’s easy, mess-free, and packed with flavor thanks to a simple marinade and quick glaze.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
• Honey or brown sugar
• Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• Garlic (minced)
• Fresh ginger (grated)
• Sesame oil
• Sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional, for heat)
• Cornstarch (to thicken the glaze)
• Green onions (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Directions

1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and sriracha if using.
2. Reserve ⅓ of the marinade in a separate bowl for glazing.
3. Place chicken thighs in a resealable bag or bowl, pour in the remaining marinade, and marinate for at least 30 minutes (up to 8 hours).
4. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
5. Lightly grease the air fryer basket. Remove chicken from the marinade and place in the basket in a single layer.
6. Air fry for 16–18 minutes, flipping halfway, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is slightly charred on the edges.
7. While the chicken cooks, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then whisk in a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken. Cook until the glaze is glossy and thickened.
8. Brush or drizzle the glaze over the cooked chicken.
9. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 4 people.
Prep time: 10 minutes (plus marinating time)
Cook time: 16–18 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes (excluding marinating)

Variations

• Use chicken breast for a leaner option—adjust cook time to avoid drying out.
• Add orange zest or juice to the glaze for a citrusy twist.
• Swap honey with maple syrup or brown sugar.
• Make it spicy with extra chili sauce or crushed red pepper flakes.
• Use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5–6 minutes or in the microwave until heated through.
To freeze, let the cooked chicken cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken thighs?

Yes, but increase the cooking time by 5–7 minutes and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

Preheating helps achieve even cooking and crispiness but can be skipped if your air fryer heats quickly.

Can I cook this without marinating?

Marinating enhances the flavor significantly, but if short on time, even 15–20 minutes can help.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Can I bake these in the oven instead?

Yes, bake at 400°F for 25–30 minutes or until fully cooked and caramelized, flipping once.

What sides go well with this dish?

Serve with jasmine rice, stir-fried veggies, lo mein, or a crisp Asian slaw.

Is this dish spicy?

It’s mildly spicy if you use sriracha. Adjust the heat to your liking or omit for a milder flavor.

Can I meal prep with this recipe?

Yes, it’s great for meal prep. Store portions with rice and veggies for easy reheating during the week.

Can I reuse the marinade?

Only the reserved marinade that was not in contact with raw chicken should be used for the glaze.

What air fryer model works best?

Any standard basket-style or oven-style air fryer works. Just ensure chicken is in a single layer for even cooking.

Conclusion

Air Fryer Asian Glazed Boneless Chicken Thighs are a flavorful, fast, and family-friendly dish you’ll want to make again and again. With a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a little heat, plus crispy edges thanks to the air fryer, this recipe is a delicious upgrade to your usual dinner routine. Serve it with your favorite sides and enjoy a restaurant-worthy meal in the comfort of your home.

Air Fryer Asian Glazed Boneless Chicken Thighs

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These Air Fryer Asian Glazed Boneless Chicken Thighs are juicy, crispy-edged, and coated in a sweet and savory glaze. A quick, flavorful dish that’s better than takeout and perfect for busy weeknights.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus marinating time)
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (for slurry)
• 1 tablespoon green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and sriracha (if using).
2. Reserve 1/3 of the marinade in a separate bowl for the glaze.
3. Place chicken thighs in a resealable bag or bowl. Add remaining marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
4. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
5. Lightly grease the air fryer basket. Remove chicken from marinade and arrange in a single layer.
6. Air fry for 16–18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until chicken is cooked through and slightly charred (internal temp 165°F).
7. Meanwhile, pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then whisk in the cornstarch slurry.
8. Cook, stirring, until the glaze thickens and becomes glossy, about 2–3 minutes.
9. Brush or drizzle glaze over cooked chicken thighs.
10. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot with rice or vegetables.

Notes

• Marinate for at least 30 minutes for best flavor.
• Add orange zest to the glaze for a citrusy twist.
• Use tamari for a gluten-free version.
• Chicken breasts can be used—adjust cooking time to avoid overcooking.
• Double the glaze for extra saucy servings or dipping.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 710mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 115mg