Description
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Thighs coated with a spicy-sweet glaze, cooked to juicy perfection using an air fryer for a quick and easy dinner that serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (6 to 8 ounces each)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Glaze:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure crisp skin. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub evenly to coat all sides.
- Season Chicken: In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Sprinkle this seasoning mix evenly over both sides of each chicken thigh.
- Preheat Air Fryer and Cook: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the chicken thighs skin side up in the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the basket halfway through the cooking time. Avoid flipping the chicken. The internal temperature should reach at least 165°F, but ideally between 175°F to 185°F for optimal tenderness.
- Make Glaze: While the chicken cooks, whisk together honey, melted butter, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl to form the glaze.
- Glaze Chicken: Brush the prepared hot honey glaze over the cooked chicken thighs. Return the glazed chicken to the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes to let the glaze tack up and become sticky.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the chicken to rest for 3 to 5 minutes after cooking. Serve the thighs with remaining glaze on the side as a dipping sauce for added flavor.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked to 165°F internally.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the glaze to control the spice level to your preference.
- Rotating the basket instead of flipping helps keep the skin intact and crispy.
- Resting the chicken after cooking allows juices to redistribute, making the meat juicier.
- Leftover glaze can be refrigerated and warmed gently before use.
