Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken (Printer-friendly)

Tender chicken bites glazed with honey garlic and served with crisp air-fried broccoli.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Chicken Bites

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
05 - ½ teaspoon paprika

→ Honey Garlic Sauce

06 - ¼ cup honey
07 - 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water

→ Broccoli

11 - 2 cups broccoli florets
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
13 - ¼ teaspoon salt
14 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

15 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
16 - 2 green onions, sliced, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - Set air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
02 - In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika until evenly coated.
03 - Arrange chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and set aside.
04 - Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
05 - Place broccoli in air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking halfway through, until tender with slight crispness.
06 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and vinegar. Bring to a simmer. Stir in cornstarch mixture and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until thickened.
07 - Add cooked chicken bites to the saucepan and toss to coat thoroughly in the honey garlic sauce.
08 - Arrange chicken bites over air-fried broccoli. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The whole thing comes together in 30 minutes, which means weeknight dinner stress just disappears.
  • That honey garlic glaze is sweet, savory, and addictive—people always ask for the recipe.
  • Air frying means you get that crispy exterior without drowning everything in oil, and honestly, it tastes better than traditional methods.
  • It's naturally high in protein and completely dairy-free, so it works for almost any eating style without feeling restrictive.
02 -
  • Don't skip shaking the basket halfway through cooking—that's what prevents one side from crisping while the other stays pale and steams instead.
  • The cornstarch slurry is non-negotiable; without it, your sauce stays thin and just slides off the chicken instead of clinging to it.
  • Minced fresh garlic becomes harsh if you cook it too long over high heat, so keep that sauce simmering gently, not boiling aggressively.
03 -
  • Let your chicken come to room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking—it cooks faster and more evenly than cold chicken straight from the fridge.
  • If your air fryer runs hot (and many do), start checking the chicken at 7 minutes rather than waiting the full 8–10; every air fryer has its own personality.
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