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Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Thighs Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Thighs are crispy, juicy, and packed with balanced heat and sweetness. Coated with a flavorful spice rub and finished with a sticky hot honey glaze, this recipe offers an easy yet impressive dish perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. The air fryer method ensures perfectly cooked chicken with minimal oil and a tender, crispy skin.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 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

  1. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Drizzle the olive oil over the thighs and rub to coat all sides evenly, ensuring the skin will crisp nicely.
  2. Season the chicken: In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Sprinkle this seasoning mix evenly on both sides of the chicken thighs to infuse flavor.
  3. Air fry the chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the chicken thighs into the air fryer basket skin side up. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heat distribution, but do not flip the chicken. Check that the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C), with an ideal range of 175°F to 185°F (79°C to 85°C) for optimal tenderness.
  4. Make the hot honey glaze: While the chicken cooks, mix together honey, melted butter, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and well combined to create a balanced sweet-spicy glaze.
  5. Glaze and finish cooking: Once chicken is cooked through, brush the hot honey glaze generously over the chicken thighs. Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes to tack up the glaze, creating a glossy, sticky coating.
  6. Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Serve the chicken thighs with the remaining hot honey glaze on the side as a dipping sauce for extra flavor.

Notes

  • Do not flip the chicken thighs during the initial air frying to maintain crispy skin.
  • Rotating the basket halfway through cooking helps ensure even heat circulation and cooking.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the glaze to control the heat level to your preference.
  • Allowing the chicken to rest after cooking helps retain juices and improves tenderness.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness accurately for safe and juicy results.

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Find it online: https://quickhomedishes.com/air-fryer-hot-honey-chicken-thighs-recipe/