Description
Deliciously crispy and tender Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Thighs with a perfect balance of sweet honey and spicy hot sauce glaze. This quick and easy recipe uses bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs seasoned with a fragrant blend of spices, then air fried to juicy perfection. The final glaze adds a sticky, flavorful finish that’s perfect for serving as a main dish with your favorite sides.
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 the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Drizzle the olive oil over them and rub thoroughly to coat all sides for even seasoning and crispy skin.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Sprinkle this seasoning evenly on both sides of the chicken thighs for flavorful crust.
- Preheat and Cook in Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the seasoned chicken thighs skin side up in the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crispness. Do not flip the chicken. The internal temperature should reach at least 165°F (74°C) but ideally 175°F to 185°F for the best tenderness.
- Make the Hot Honey Glaze: While the chicken cooks, combine honey, melted butter, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and well blended.
- Glaze the Chicken: Brush the hot honey glaze generously on the cooked chicken thighs. Return them to the air fryer for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to tack up the glaze, giving a sticky, flavorful finish. Note that not all glaze will be used at this step.
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 3 to 5 minutes after air frying to allow juices to redistribute. Serve with the remaining glaze on the side as a dipping sauce for extra flavor.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F; cooking to higher temps improves tenderness.
- Use skin-on, bone-in thighs for juicier results.
- You can adjust the amount of hot sauce in the glaze to taste for spice preference.
- Resting the chicken after cooking helps keep it moist and flavorful.
- Rotate the chicken in the air fryer basket instead of flipping to keep skin intact and crispy.
