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You are here: Home / Dinner / Air Fryer Honey Garlic Marinated Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Marinated Chicken Thighs

February 23, 2022 by Tristin 24 Comments

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Juicy Air Fryer Honey Garlic Marinated Chicken Thighs are a little sticky, but so worth the mess! Made with a simple 5-ingredient honey garlic marinade that is going to have your family coming back for seconds.

Quick cooking and delicious dinners are our favorite dinners just like this air fryer honey garlic marinated chicken. Another incredible meal you can make in the air fryer is Chicken Breast Without Breading, it comes out so tender and juicy. Or try making Air Fryer London Broil and serve with Dinner Rolls in the Air Fryer.

Up close of air fryer marinated chicken on a plate.

Marinated Chicken in Air Fryer

In need of an easy dinner? We’ve got you covered with this finger licking good, honey garlic chicken! Just consider dinner (basically) done! Well, the idea part is done, you still have to cook.

I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe for a meal that is healthier and lower in fat.

You may be wondering why we are using a marinade for chicken in this recipe. I love using marinades because it is a great way to infuse a ton of flavor into your chicken. It’s also very easy to dry out chicken in the cooking process because it is a lean protein. Using a marinade makes the chicken even more flavorful and juicy.

Air Fryer Marinated Chicken

Making your own marinade means you can control all of the ingredients. You get a say in how much salt, sugar, and preservatives get added (or don’t get added). And homemade marinade is just so simple to make and cheaper.

For this marinade you will need honey, olive oil, garlic cloves (or 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder), rice wine vinegar, a little soy sauce, salt, and pepper. All basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Just go buy chicken thighs, that’s it.

An above view of marinated chicken in air fryer on a plate.

Can you Cook Marinated Chicken in an Air Fryer?

If you are wondering if marinated chicken can be cooked in an air fryer, the answer is yes. You can definitely use the air fryer for marinated chicken. In fact, I recommend making it this way because it is the best way to get juicy chicken.

Why Make This Air Fryer Chicken Recipe?

  • Cooks Quickly. This chicken cooks in under 15 minutes.
  • Low ingredient recipe. You only need 6 ingredients (plus salt and pepper) to make this recipe.
  • Delicious. Makes a meal your family is going to love.
  • Healthy. A great source of protein and great for your health. This recipe is low in sugar, keto friendly and low carb.

How Long to Marinate the Chicken Thighs?

I recommend marinating chicken thighs in the marinade for at least 30 minutes. But, it can also sit in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours. Since this marinade has vinegar in it, the acidity may break down your chicken or make it tough.

How Much Chicken Can I Make with This Marinade?

I have made up to 3 lbs of chicken using this marinade. If you are making more chicken than that then I recommend doubling the marinade.

Can the Marinated Chicken be Layered in the Air Fryer?

Make sure that you keep the air fryer chicken thighs with honey garlic marinade in one layer when you are cooking it in the air fryer. If you stack the raw chicken it will not cook properly or evenly.

An above view of marinated chicken in air fryer on a plate.

What Temperature to Cook the Chicken Thighs to?

Use an instant read thermometer to check on the temperature of the chicken. It should be at 165°F

What if I Don’t Have Time to Marinate the Chicken?

Sometimes, we need dinner on the table stat and do not have time to fuss with marinating the chicken. Don’t worry about it because you can just do a quick marinate on this chicken. Pour all of the ingredients into a large zip bag along with the chicken and let it sit while the air fryer preheats.

It won’t be quite as flavorful as it would be if it had soaked for 30 minutes, but it will still add some flavor.

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Marinated Chicken Ingredients

  • Oil: I use olive oil to make these chicken thighs.
  • Honey: I like to use a local honey.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic that has been minced.
  • Vinegar: You will need white wine vinegar, but any white vinegar will work.
  • Soy Sauce: I used regular soy sauce, buy low sodium soy sauce can also be used.
  • Salt and Pepper: I like to use just a pinch of sea or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
All the ingredients needed for marinated chicken in air fryer.

How to Make Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Thighs

  1. Cut any extra fat off the chicken thighs.
  2. In a gallon sized zip bag, add in all of the seasoning. Zip the bag closed and smush around all the ingredients. You can also do this in a large bowl, stir ingredients.
  3. Pour 1/4 cup of marinade into a small bowl to later pour on cooked chicken.
  4. Add in chicken thighs. Try to get air out of the zip bag and zip closed.
  5. Place the chicken in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.
  6. Pull chicken out of the fridge.
  7. Preheat air fryer. Once heated, carefully place chicken into the air fryer.
  8. Cook chicken. Flipping over halfway through cooking time.
  9. Let chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Top with reserved marinade.
All the steps needed to make marinated chicken in air fryer.

How to Bake Marinated Chicken Thighs in Oven

If you don’t have an air fryer, it is no problem at all. Here are the instructions on how to cook chicken thighs in the oven.

  1. Pull the marinated chicken thighs out of the refrigerator to warm up.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  3. Cook chicken for 25-35 minutes. Check after 25 minutes to see how done it is. Cook until the internal temperature is 165°F.
  4. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving it. Top with the reserved marinade.
Marinated chicken in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Tips and Variations

  • Check on your chicken at any time if you are worried about it burning or over cooking.
  • Chicken thighs are done when a meat thermometer reads 165°F.
  • Depending on the size of the chicken thighs and the amount you are making (and the size of your air fryer basket), you may need to cook the chicken in batches. I can comfortably fit 6 small or 4 large chicken thighs in my Cosori 5.8 quart basket style air fryer.
  • Make sure not to poke any holes in the chicken when putting into the air fryer or pulling it out.
  • Let chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are chicken thighs healthy? Chicken thighs when prepared in a healthy manner, are actually good for you and a great source of protein. They are also typically more affordable than chicken breast. So, if you like chicken thighs I say get them.

Is this air fryer chicken recipe gluten free? Since regular soy sauce is traditionally made with wheat and soy, this means it contains gluten. So this is not a gluten free recipe. But, you can easily make it gluten free by using Tamari soy sauce, it’s typically gluten free but you will want to check the ingredients or buy gluten free soy sauce if you can find it.

Storage Instructions

How to refrigerate air fryer marinated chicken? Let the chicken cool and put in an air tight container. It should last about 3-5 days in the fridge.

How do you reheat marinated chicken in air fryer? Pre-heat the air fryer to 350° F. Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes or until heated to your liking.

How to freeze air fryer marinated chicken? Let chicken cool completely before wrapping well with plastic wrap and put into an air tight, freezer safe container. Chicken can be frozen for 3-6 months, just be sure to label with the recipe and date.

How to thaw frozen air fryer marinated chicken? Thaw frozen cooked chicken on a plate in the refrigerator overnight until defrosted.

An above view of two plates of marinated chicken in air fryer.

Try these other air fryer favorites!

  • Air Fryer Chicken Breast without Breading
  • Parmesan Broccoli in Air Fryer
  • Air Fryer Squash and Zucchini
  • Cornish Hen in Air Fryer
  • Air Fryer Dino Nuggets
  • Steak in the Air Fryer

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Up close of air fryer marinated chicken on a plate.
Print Recipe
5 from 11 votes

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Marinated Chicken Thighs

Juicy Air Fryer Honey Garlic Marinated Chicken Thighs are a little sticky, but so worth the mess! Made with a simple 5-ingredient honey garlic marinade that is going to have your family coming back for seconds.
Prep Time3 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Marinating Time30 mins
Total Time48 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 253kcal
Author: Tristin – Home Cooked Harvest

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

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
  • 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs

Instructions

  • In a gallon sized zip bag, add in all of the honey, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and garlic. Zip the bag closed and smush around all the ingredients. You can also do this in a large bowl, stir ingredients.
  • Reserve 1/4 cup of marinade to later pour on cooked chicken.
  • Cut any extra fat off the chicken thighs.
  • Add the chicken thighs into the zip bag. Try to get all the air out of the zip bag and zip closed. 
  • Place the chicken in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.
  • Pull the chicken out of the fridge.
  • Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
  • Once heated, carefully place chicken into the air fryer. 
  • Cook the chicken for 10-15 minutes. Flip the chicken over halfway through cooking time.
  • Let chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Top with reserved marinade.

Nutrition

Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 739mg | Potassium: 324mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. veenaazmanov

    February 24, 2022 at 7:14 pm

    5 stars
    Air Fryer sounds healthy. The Glaze on the top looks so tempting. I am drooling with the Marinade combinations. Yum

  2. Tristin

    February 24, 2022 at 7:30 pm

    This is definitely a drool worthy dish. Thanks Veena!

  3. Allyssa

    February 25, 2022 at 3:43 am

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

  4. Tristin

    February 25, 2022 at 5:29 am

    Awww you are so sweet Allyssa, thank for commenting!!

  5. Colleen

    February 25, 2022 at 3:03 pm

    5 stars
    These chicken thighs were amazing. The came out of the air fryer so juicy and tender and the marinade is perfect. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Tristin

    February 25, 2022 at 3:30 pm

    Isn’t that marinade amazing? My kids love these chicken thighs. Thanks so much Colleen!!

  7. Linda

    February 26, 2022 at 1:37 am

    5 stars
    What a delicious chicken recipe! So flavorful, juicy, and easy to make.

  8. Tristin

    February 26, 2022 at 4:02 am

    Oh good Linda, so glad that this chicken came out juicy for you. Thanks for commenting!

  9. Heidy

    February 26, 2022 at 4:28 am

    5 stars
    These Air Fryer Honey Garlic Marinated Chicken Thighs were super juicy and so tender! I loved them, and so did the family. We will be making this Air Fryer recipe again and again!! Have a fabulous day!

  10. Tristin

    February 26, 2022 at 5:27 am

    Great! I love to hear that one of my recipes was enjoyed by the whole family! Thanks Heidy!

  11. Aya

    February 27, 2022 at 11:41 am

    5 stars
    I love using my air fryer and when I came across your recipe I had to try it! The chicken was packed with flavor and it was absolutely delicious. I love how easy it was to make this recipe and will definitely be making it again!

  12. Tristin

    February 27, 2022 at 11:50 am

    Oh great, Aya! I am so glad that you loved this chicken recipe. Thanks!!

  13. Erin

    February 27, 2022 at 1:37 pm

    5 stars
    We all loved these thighs! And I loved how easy they were. My husband even made them! 😀 Thanks!

  14. Tristin

    February 27, 2022 at 1:45 pm

    Getting the husband to cook, I call that a win! Thanks Erin.

  15. Alex

    February 27, 2022 at 1:48 pm

    5 stars
    I made these with coconut aminos and couldn’t be happier with the result! They were just perfect. Thanks!

  16. Tristin

    February 27, 2022 at 2:00 pm

    Mmm, I love coconut aminos, too. I will try that one of these times that I made this. Thanks Alex.

  17. Brianna

    February 27, 2022 at 3:20 pm

    5 stars
    These chicken thighs were so easy to make. The flavor was great and my kids absolutely loved it!

  18. Tristin

    February 27, 2022 at 4:20 pm

    It isn’t always easy to please kids, so that is saying something! Thanks so much Brianna!

  19. Amy Liu Dong

    February 28, 2022 at 1:49 am

    5 stars
    I will def love this recipe. It’s delicious and so easy. I’ll be making this for everyone this weekend.

  20. Natalie

    February 28, 2022 at 3:37 am

    That was delicious! Flavors are amazing and the recipe was super easy. I will definitely make it again. Thanks for this lovely recipe!

  21. Tristin

    February 28, 2022 at 6:08 am

    You are so welcome, Natalie. I’m glad this turned out tasty! Thanks for you comment.

  22. Tristin

    February 28, 2022 at 2:00 pm

    I can’t wait for you to try it Amy!! Thanks for commenting.

  23. Kathy

    March 2, 2022 at 11:10 am

    5 stars
    This is a winner! Incredibly tasty and super easy in the air fryer. Making it again next week.

  24. Tristin

    March 2, 2022 at 11:15 am

    I agree, I could eat air fryer chicken almost every night, it is that good! Thanks Kathy!!

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Hey there! Welcome, I am so glad you are here. I’m Tristin, the food-lover, recipe-maker, and photo-taker behind Home Cooked Harvest, which features tasty, easy recipes made with real ingredients. Read More…

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