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Air Fryer Sticky Chicken Thighs

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Juicy air-fried chicken thighs coated in a glossy honey, soy, garlic, and ginger glaze with perfectly caramelized edges. This quick sweet-and-savory chicken makes a flavorful weeknight dinner served with rice, noodles, or vegetables.

Ingredients

  • Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Paprika
  • Neutral cooking oil
  • Honey
  • Soy sauce
  • Brown sugar
  • Garlic, minced
  • Fresh ginger, grated
  • Rice vinegar
  • Sesame oil
  • Cornstarch
  • Water
  • Sesame seeds
  • Green onions, sliced

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) if recommended for your model.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry and season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Lightly coat the chicken with neutral cooking oil.
  3. Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for air circulation.
  4. Air fry for approximately 16–20 minutes, turning the chicken halfway through cooking.
  5. While the chicken cooks, combine the honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small saucepan.
  6. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water until smooth, then stir the slurry into the sauce.
  7. Simmer briefly until the sauce is thick, glossy, and able to coat the back of a spoon.
  8. When the chicken is nearly finished, brush some of the sticky sauce over each thigh. Return the chicken to the air fryer for another 1–2 minutes to lightly caramelize the glaze.
  9. Check the thickest part of each chicken thigh with an instant-read thermometer and make sure it has reached at least 165°F (74°C).
  10. Remove the chicken from the air fryer and brush with additional cooked sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

  • Add chili flakes or chili sauce to the glaze for a spicy variation.
  • Increase the fresh garlic and use honey as the primary sweetener for honey-garlic chicken thighs.
  • Add orange zest and a splash of orange juice for an orange-flavored sticky glaze, adjusting the other liquid as necessary.
  • Bone-in chicken thighs can be used but generally require additional cooking time. Always check their internal temperature before serving.
  • For sticky chicken bites, cut boneless thighs into evenly sized pieces and reduce the air-frying time accordingly.
  • Add the sugary glaze primarily toward the end of cooking to reduce the chance of burning.
  • Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days and keep extra cooked sauce separately when possible.
  • Reheat gently in the air fryer or microwave until thoroughly warmed, watching the sugary glaze carefully because it can darken quickly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/air-fryer-sticky-chicken-thighs/