Air Fryer Honey Garlic Marinated Chicken Thighs Recipe

Introduction

This Air Fryer Honey Garlic Marinated Chicken Thighs recipe is perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner. The sweet and savory marinade tenderizes the chicken, creating a deliciously sticky glaze when cooked in the air fryer. It’s an easy dish that feels special but requires minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a gallon-sized zip bag, combine honey, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, oil, and crushed garlic. Seal the bag and gently mix the ingredients by pressing and smushing the bag, or stir together in a large bowl.
2. Step 2: Set aside 1/4 cup of the marinade to pour over the chicken after cooking.
3. Step 3: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs.
4. Step 4: Add the chicken thighs into the zip bag with the remaining marinade. Remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag.
5. Step 5: Refrigerate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or up to 12 hours to let the flavors develop.
6. Step 6: Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
7. Step 7: Carefully place the chicken thighs into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
8. Step 8: Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through to ensure even cooking.
9. Step 9: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking, then drizzle with the reserved marinade before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra caramelization, brush some additional honey on the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking.
• If you don’t have rice wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can be substituted.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade for a subtle spicy kick.
• Use bone-in thighs for juicier meat, just increase cooking time by a few minutes.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer or oven at 350°F until warmed through to help retain the crispy texture. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I marinate the chicken overnight?

Yes, marinating overnight allows the flavors to penetrate deeper, resulting in even more tender and flavorful chicken.

Is it necessary to reserve some marinade for serving?

It’s recommended to reserve some marinade before adding the raw chicken, as the marinade that the chicken soaks in is raw and should not be used after cooking without boiling. The reserved marinade adds a burst of flavor when drizzled on cooked chicken.

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Marinated Chicken Thighs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 105 reviews

These Air Fryer Honey Garlic Marinated Chicken Thighs are juicy and flavorful, featuring a sweet and savory marinade that infuses tender boneless skinless chicken thighs. Quick to prepare and cooked to perfection in the air fryer, this recipe offers a delicious weeknight dinner option that’s both easy and satisfying.

• Author: Luna
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes to 12 hours 25 minutes (including marinating time)
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Marinade Ingredients

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• pepper, to taste

Chicken

• 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs

Instructions

1. Prepare the marinade: In a gallon-sized zip bag, combine honey, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, oil, and crushed garlic cloves. Seal the bag and mix well by smushing the ingredients together. Alternatively, mix in a large bowl.
2. Reserve marinade: Remove 1/4 cup of the marinade and set it aside to use later as a topping for the cooked chicken.
3. Trim chicken thighs: Remove any excess fat from the chicken thighs to ensure even cooking and better texture.
4. Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken thighs inside the zip bag with the marinade. Remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag completely.
5. Refrigerate and marinate: Place the bag in the refrigerator and let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 12 hours for maximum flavor infusion.
6. Preheat the air fryer: Take the chicken out of the fridge and preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes to ensure it’s at the right temperature for cooking.
7. Cook the chicken: Carefully place the marinated chicken thighs into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through to ensure even browning and thorough cooking.
8. Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and allow it to rest for a few minutes to retain juices. Drizzle the reserved marinade over the chicken before serving for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

• Marinating for longer (up to 12 hours) enhances the flavor and tenderness of the chicken.
• Be sure to flip the chicken halfway through cooking to achieve even browning on both sides.
• Reserve the marinade before adding chicken to avoid contamination; do not pour marinade used with raw chicken directly on cooked meat unless boiled first.
• Use boneless skinless thighs for quicker cooking and easy handling in the air fryer.
• If you prefer, you can brush some oil on the chicken before air frying to enhance crispness.

Keywords: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Honey Garlic Chicken, Easy Dinner, Quick Air Fryer Recipes, Marinated Chicken