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Air Fryer Korean Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs (Easy Recipe)

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Crispy, juicy, and packed with savory-sweet garlic flavor, these Air Fryer Korean Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs are an easy, healthier weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Chicken:
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice wine (or mirin)
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • Cooking spray or oil
  • For the Soy Garlic Sauce:
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp gochujang (Korean red pepper paste, optional for spice)
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • For Garnish:
  • Sliced green onions
  • Toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine chicken thighs with 1 tbsp soy sauce, rice wine, black pepper, and garlic powder. Marinate for at least 15-20 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and flour. Dredge each marinated chicken thigh in the mixture, shaking off excess.
  3. Preheat air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil.
  4. Arrange chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the tops with oil. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C).
  5. While chicken cooks, make the sauce. In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and gochujang (if using). Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  6. In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp water with 1 tsp cornstarch to make a slurry. Stir into the simmering sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
  7. Once chicken is done, transfer to a large bowl. Pour the hot soy garlic sauce over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
  8. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice and vegetables.

Notes

For crispier chicken, pat the thighs dry before marinating. You can use chicken breasts, but adjust cooking time as they cook faster. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes or pan-fry.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://ingredientidea.com/air-fryer-korean-soy-garlic-chicken-thighs/