Description
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these Honey Garlic Air Fryer Chicken Bites combine a golden breaded coating with a sticky, flavorful honey garlic sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering, this recipe is easy to prepare in the air fryer and offers a delicious balance of savory, sweet, and slightly tangy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1,000 g chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 eggs, whisked
- 2 cups flour
- 4 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 4 tsp salt, divided
- 2 tsp garlic powder, divided
- 1 tsp black pepper, divided
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 4 tsp sesame oil
- 6 garlic cloves, crushed
- 0.5 cup honey
- 6 tbsp soy sauce
- 4 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1.5 cup water
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- Salt, to taste
- Lemon juice, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cube the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and set aside for coating.
- Season and Prepare Coatings: In separate bowls, place flour and panko breadcrumbs. Season each with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper, dividing the seasoning evenly.
- Whisk Eggs: In a third bowl, whisk the eggs thoroughly to help breading adhere to the chicken.
- Coat Chicken: Dredge the chicken pieces first in the seasoned flour, then dip in the whisked eggs, and finally coat evenly with the seasoned panko breadcrumbs.
- Air Fry Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray them with oil to ensure crispiness. Cook at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Make Honey Garlic Sauce: Meanwhile, combine the sesame oil, crushed garlic, honey, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and a slurry of cornstarch mixed with water in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and lemon juice to balance the flavors.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Once the chicken bites are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl and toss them well with the prepared honey garlic sauce to coat thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Pairs well with rice, noodles, or a crisp salad.
Notes
- Serve with rice, noodles, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- For extra heat, add chili flakes to the sauce.
- Substitute chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful bites.
- Lightly spray oil on chicken before air frying to achieve optimal crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Keywords: Honey Garlic Chicken, Air Fryer Chicken Bites, Crispy Chicken, Easy Chicken Appetizer, Sticky Chicken Bites
