Description
Air Fryer Korean Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs are crispy, juicy, and packed with bold flavors from a sweet, savory, and garlicky glaze. This easy air fryer recipe delivers a perfect balance of crunch and tenderness without the need for deep frying. Serve with steamed rice and vegetables for a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for crispiness)
For the Soy Garlic Glaze
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for thickening)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
For Garnish
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Add the chicken thighs and coat evenly. Let marinate for 10-15 minutes.
- Sprinkle cornstarch over the chicken and toss to coat lightly.
Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
- Place chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Step 3: Make the Soy Garlic Glaze
- In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil.
Step 4: Toss and Serve
- Toss the cooked chicken in the soy garlic glaze until fully coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
- Serve warm with steamed rice and vegetables.
Notes
- Use skin-on thighs for extra crispiness
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer to ensure even cooking
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less honey and sugar
- For extra crispy chicken, increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last 2 minutes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Cuisine: Korean-Inspired