If you’re looking for an easy dinner packed with bold flavors that comes together quickly, these Sticky Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are for you! Juicy, flavorful, and coated in a sweet and savory sauce that your whole family will love. Gluten free and dairy free, too.
We love a good chicken recipe, especially an Air Fryer Chicken Recipe because they are so quick and easy to make! For a satisfying, quick meal, this Sticky Chicken in the Air Fryer might just be my favorite.
If you love this recipe, you should try our Air Fryer Whole Chicken, Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets, or this Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Everything Bagel Seasoning! They are huge hits in our house, and I think your family will love them just as much.
This recipe would be perfect to serve with our Healthier Hibachi Fried Rice and our Air Fryer Zucchini recipe. It would also work well as the protein in our Instant Pot Ramen Stir Fry.
More Reasons To Love This Air Fryer Sticky Chicken Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthier Alternative: Tastes like takeout, but it’s made from clean ingredients and air-fried instead of pan-fried in oil!
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of the marinade ingredients in your pantry already!
- Customizable: Serve this in a rice bowl, with noodles, overtop a salad, or with your favorite side dishes.
Our Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp would be another delicious option to serve for a quick and easy dinner!
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make these juicy chicken thighs:
- Boneless chicken thighs – the best cut of chicken for this recipe, but you could also use chicken tenderloins or chicken breasts. We prefer the thighs to also be skinless, but you can use skin-on chicken thighs and just cook them longer.
- Maple syrup or honey – for that sticky, slightly sweet glaze.
- Coconut aminos – a great gluten-free alternative to regular soy sauce with a slightly milder taste.
- Tomato paste – adds a rich depth of flavor. (Freeze any extra for another recipe!)
- Sesame oil – love the flavor this brings to the dish, but this would work with coconut oil or avocado oil.
- Fresh garlic & ginger – fresh is best for a bold, aromatic flavor.
- Crushed red pepper (optional) – adds a little heat; leave it out for picky eaters.
- Cornstarch & water – for a quick slurry to thicken the sauce.
- Green onions & sesame seeds – optional for garnish.
Substitutions and Variations
- Gluten Free Soy Sauce can be substituted for the coconut amions.
- If you don’t have fresh garlic and ginger, you can experiment with adding garlic powder and ground ginger to the sauce instead. Start with a 1/2 teaspoon each and then taste the sauce.
- Any cut of chicken works with this recipe, even chicken legs or bone-in thighs. Adjust the cooking time accordingly and always use a digital meat thermometer.
How to Make Sticky Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
This recipe couldn’t be easier with a simple prep and short cooking time!
Step 1: First, mix together all of the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Marinate the chicken for a few minutes while the air fryer is preheating to 400°F.
Step 2: Place the marinated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer (this helps get that crispy chicken texture!).
Step 3: Air fry for 8 minutes, then flip and cook another 8-10 minutes until the thickest part of the thigh reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F (or 185°F for extra juicy thighs). Use a high-quality meat thermometer for the best results.
Step 4: In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk the remaining sauce with cornstarch and water until it thickens. If it gets too thick, thin it out with a little water or broth.
Step 5: Pour or brush the sticky glaze over the cooked chicken and serve hot!
Air Fryer Tip
If you have a smaller air fryer basket, be sure to not overcrowd it with chicken. This will cause the chicken to steam. It would be better to cook the chicken in batches if you have a smaller unit.
Meal Prep and Storage
Prep Ahead: This recipe is also great for meal prep! Chicken thighs are delicious because they don’t dry out as easily as chicken breads or tenders.
To Store: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days, max.
To Reheat: These chicken thighs can be reheated in the oven, air fryer, or the microwave. Heat until steaming hot, but don’t overcook them. Excessive reheating can dry out even tender, moist chicken thighs.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can use the same approximate temperatures for oven cooking, but the timing will likely need to be adjusted and increased. Use a meat thermometer to check your internal temperatures periodically to ensure you can remove the chicken before it overcooks.
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Sticky Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/3 cup coconut aminos
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste freeze your extra paste to use in another recipe!
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp fresh ginger finely chopped
- 1 dash crushed red pepper optional, I leave it out for my picky kids
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ½ Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp of water
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl or liquid measuring cup, mix maple syrup, coconut aminos, tomato paste, sesame oil, salt, garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper (if using).
- Place chicken thighs in another bowl and pour ⅓-½ of the sauce over the chicken. Preheat your airfryer to 400 degrees. Let chicken thighs marinate for a few minutes just while your air fryer is preheating, then add chicken and the sauce into the airfryer.
- Cook for 8 minutes, then flip thighs and cook for another 8-10 minutes or until the chicken thighs are fully cooked. I like dark meat to be over 185 degrees, but the thighs are cooked once they reach 165 degrees.
- Mix the cornstarch and water into the remaining sauce. Pour the sauce into a small saucepan and heat for a few minutes, stirring continuously, until it has thickened. If it gets too thick, just remove from the heat and stir in a little water or broth.
- Pour sauce over chicken thighs and garnish with green onions or cilantro. Serve with brown rice or gluten free ramen and veggies and devour!
Jenni says
This was such a timely recipe as I was in a rut with chicken thighs. L9ved every single bite and is teenager approved!! Thank you!!
Nancylynn says
Teenager approved is a huge compliment! Thanks Jenni!