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These Air Fryer Honey Chicken Thighs are sweet, savory, and delightfully sticky. Marinated with garlic, honey, oyster sauce, and Shaoxing wine, they cook in just 14 minutes, resulting in golden skin and juicy meat.
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
There’s something incredibly satisfying about juicy chicken thighs glazed in a sticky, garlicky marinade. The best part? You don’t need a wok or an oven to achieve perfection. These easy air fryer honey garlic chicken thighs strike the perfect balance between simplicity and bold flavor.
I prefer using skin-on, bone-in thighs (deboned for convenience) as they yield tender, juicy meat with that beloved golden skin. The marinade is a straightforward yet bold mixture of garlic, honey, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and Shaoxing wine—no fuss, just pure flavor. Serve these with rice, wrapped in lettuce, or alongside your favorite chili sauce. It’s a fast, delicious recipe that never fails to impress. Once you taste the chicken, you’ll see why it’s a go-to on busy nights. Check out my video guide below to see how effortlessly these juicy honey garlic chicken thighs come together.
For more easy air fryer chicken recipes, explore my Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Air Fryer Chicken Tenders.
Add This Recipe To Your Weeknight Lineup
Forget boring dinners. This air fryer chicken thighs recipe delivers crispy skin and moist chicken meat, bursting with bold, savory-sweet flavor—quick and hassle-free.
- Juicy, tender thighs. Skin-on, bone-in chicken cooks up with golden skin and moist, flavorful meat every time.
- Garlicky and sweet marinade. A glossy, sweet coating clings to every bite, making each mouthful more addictive than the last.
- Quick to make, hard to resist. Cooked in just 14 minutes, this dish feels like a treat but comes together fast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken thighs – I used skin-on, bone-in thighs and deboned them myself. Check out How to Debone Chicken Thighs.
- Honey – Opt for a mild, runny honey for a glossy, golden finish that caramelizes beautifully without burning.
- Fish sauce
- Oyster sauce
Refer to the recipe card at the end of this post for all the ingredient details.
Shopping Guide: For the best flavor, choose fish sauce from Red Boat, Three Crabs, or Magic Chef. These brands keep it simple with just anchovies and salt, avoiding the strong, funky smell found in some others. For oyster sauce, Lee Kum Kee offers a thick, balanced option that adds the perfect sweet-savory touch to make the glaze truly pop.
Secrets Techniques To Juicy Chicken Thighs
Pro Tip #1: Use Olive Oil
Olive oil helps keep chicken moist by forming a barrier that locks in natural juices during cooking. It also promotes even browning, enhancing flavor and preventing the meat from drying out.
Pro Tip #2: Perfect Air Fryer Temperature
Set your air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for juicy, tender chicken thighs. Overcooking makes the meat dry and rubbery, while undercooking results in no crispy, caramelized skin. In my recipe, 14 minutes hits the perfect balance—fast cooking, full flavor, and great texture every time.
Pro Tip #3: Combine Fish Sauce and Oyster Sauce
For a serious umami boost and rich depth of flavor, mix fish sauce and oyster sauce together. These two Asian staples are essential in your kitchen, instantly elevating any dish with minimal effort.
Pro Tip #4: Save the Drippings
If you love that flavorful drippings, save it! Spoon it over white rice or drizzle it on your chicken for an extra layer of deliciousness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Massaging the garlic into the chicken first helps the flavor penetrate deeply. If you just toss it with the marinade, the garlic mostly stays on the surface instead of infusing the meat.
About 15 to 30 minutes is sufficient to absorb the flavors. If you have more time, marinating for up to 2 hours in the fridge can enhance the taste.
Allow the chicken to cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to prevent the glaze from drying out.
Reheat in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 4 minutes. This keeps the glaze sticky and the meat juicy without drying it out.
This recipe contains 463 calories per serving.
What To Serve With This Recipe
For an easy and wholesome weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes:
