Description
These Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Thighs are juicy, tender, and packed with spicy-sweet flavor. Bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs are seasoned with a smoky spice blend, air fried to crispy perfection, and finished with a sticky hot honey glaze that adds a delicious kick. Ready in just over half an hour, this recipe is perfect for a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner.
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
Hot Honey 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 the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness. Drizzle olive oil over the thighs and rub it in to coat all sides evenly.
- Season the chicken: In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly on both sides of the chicken thighs for a balanced flavor profile.
- Air fry the chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Place the chicken thighs skin side up in the basket. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping. Avoid flipping the chicken to keep the skin intact. Cook until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F, and preferably 175°F to 185°F for optimal tenderness.
- Make the hot honey glaze: While the chicken cooks, whisk together honey, melted unsalted butter, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. This glaze balances sweetness, heat, and tang.
- Glaze the chicken: Brush the hot honey glaze generously onto the cooked chicken thighs. Return them to the air fryer for 1 to 2 minutes to let the glaze tack up and become sticky. Note that you won’t need all the glaze at this step.
- Rest and serve: Allow the chicken to rest for 3 to 5 minutes after cooking. Serve with the remaining hot honey glaze on the side as a dipping sauce for extra flavor.
Notes
- Ensure chicken thighs are patted very dry before oiling for the crispiest skin.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness accurately.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity in glaze to control spice level.
- Leftover glaze makes a great dipping sauce or drizzle.
- Cooking times might vary depending on your air fryer model.
