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The kids constantly ask for Chinese delivery, but I've finally nailed an alternative with this Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken! It's incredibly crunchy, smothered in the tastiest clingy sweet sauce, and done in just 20 minutes. We don't even think about takeout anymore!
What Makes This Special
Your air fryer creates amazingly crunchy chicken with minimal oil - so much healthier than deep-fried versions! The sauce combines everything you want - sweet honey, loads of garlic, and a slight warmth if that's your thing. It's also perfect for those nights when you're completely wiped out.
Ingredients List
- Chicken: Thighs are my preference but chunked breast meat works perfectly too.
- Cornstarch: The secret to that amazing crunch!
- Sauce Components: Honey, broth, rice vinegar, soy sauce.
- Butter: Gives the sauce that velvety texture.
- Fresh Garlic: This is where the magic happens!
- Simple Seasonings: Salt and pepper do the trick.
- Cooking Spray: Prevents everything from getting stuck.
Cooking Instructions
- Preparation Step
- Start by heating your air fryer to 350°F. Meanwhile, mix your chicken chunks with cornstarch and seasonings until fully covered. It's like the old shake-and-bake method!
- Cooking The Chicken
- Don't forget to spray the basket with oil! Arrange chicken pieces with space between them. Give them a light spray on top too. Cook around 5 minutes, turn them over, then continue cooking until they're golden and fully done.
- Creating The Sauce
- While chicken cooks, start your sauce. Melt butter, add plenty of garlic, then pour in honey, broth, vinegar, and soy sauce. Let it simmer until it starts thickening. Add pepper flakes if you want some kick!
- Final Assembly
- After chicken finishes cooking, immediately mix it into your hot sauce. Watch it turn shiny and delicious. Serve right away when everything's hot and the sauce remains sticky!
Pro Suggestions
Always use a meat thermometer to reach that safe 165°F. You can add extra pepper flakes for heat lovers or leave them out completely for kids. The sauce works wonderfully on chicken wings too, just cook them longer. If you're out of cornstarch, try potato starch instead!
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Storage Options
You can keep this chicken in the fridge for up to 3 days - if your family doesn't finish it first! Just store it in something airtight. It'll even freeze okay for a couple months. Reheating works fine in the microwave, though it won't stay as crunchy as when fresh.
Complete Dinner Ideas
We typically serve this over a bed of rice to soak up that delicious sauce. For a veggie option, I often toss green beans into the air fryer right after the chicken comes out. My partner really enjoys it with a side of cucumber salad - the crisp freshness pairs perfectly with the sticky chicken.
Tasty Variations
I'll sometimes mix in a tablespoon of hoisin or add minced ginger with the garlic. My sis transforms this into a game day treat using chicken wings instead. The sauce is so tasty you might want to make extra - we always do!
Household Hit
This dish has become our Tuesday tradition - it's tastier than delivery and saves us tons of money! Try it yourself, and I'm confident it'll become your new chicken go-to!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What’s the reason for using cornstarch on the chicken?
It gives the chicken a crispy crust and lets the sauce cling better for extra flavor.
- → Is there a way to make it spicier?
You can definitely make it hotter—just add more red pepper flakes. Right now, it’s mainly sweet with a tiny kick of heat.
- → Could I use whole pieces of chicken instead?
Yep, you can. Try whole chicken thighs, but cook them at 175°C for about 20-25 minutes.
- → Why shouldn’t I use store-bought oil sprays?
They can mess up the non-stick surface of the air fryer. A refillable spray bottle with oil works better.
- → Can I get the sauce ready ahead of time?
It’s best made while the chicken is cooking, but you could coat the chicken in advance if you want to save some time.