Name: Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken for Easy Chicken Air Fryer Recipes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper; 2 tablespoons avocado oil (or preferred oil for air frying); 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 clove garlic, grated; 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger; 2 teaspoons sesame seeds; Green onion for garnish (optional); Cooked white rice for serving

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We all have that one takeout dish that haunts us in the best way. For me, it’s honey sesame chicken. But instead of dialing up the usual spot, I figured, why not toss it in the air fryer at home and see what happens? Spoiler: absolute magic. This recipe brings everything you crave—crunchy little golden bites, sticky-sweet glaze, a touch of garlic, and that savory sesame finish—all without deep frying. And we don’t need a culinary degree to pull it off. Just a few pantry staples, a hungry stomach, and about 30 minutes. If you’ve got an air fryer, some chicken thighs, and a little curiosity, you’re already halfway there. Whether you’re new to chicken air fryer recipes or just need a weekday dinner that won’t put you to sleep mid-prep, this one’s worth bookmarking.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
3) Ingredients for Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken
4) How to Make Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken
5) Tips for Making Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken
6) Making Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken
8) Try these Main Course recipes next!
9) Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This dish brings crispy, golden chicken without deep frying.
Prep and cook time total just 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights.
Using an air fryer means fewer dishes and easier cleanup.
The sauce combines honey, soy, garlic, and sesame for a sticky glaze.

2) Easy Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe

You ever get a craving for takeout that hits like a freight train? For me, it’s usually something sticky, a little sweet, and way too crunchy to ignore. That’s exactly how this air fryer honey sesame chicken came to be. I was standing in my kitchen one evening, starving, holding a pack of chicken thighs and thinking, “Let’s do something fun with the air fryer.”

What came out was crisped-up chicken tossed in a rich, garlicky glaze that had me going back for seconds before I even finished my first bite. We’re talking dinner on the table in half an hour, and not a drop of guilt in sight. Chicken air fryer recipes like this don’t ask much from you, but boy, do they deliver.

This one checks all the boxes. No deep fryer. No long list of ingredients. And definitely no leftover regrets. If you’re building a weeknight rotation, don’t skip this one. It’s the kind of easy air fryer recipe you’ll lean on over and over.

3) Ingredients for Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken

Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: These stay juicy and tender in the air fryer. Cut into bite-sized pieces, they cook quickly and evenly. You could go with breasts, but thighs bring more flavor and moisture to the party.

Cornstarch: A light coating gives the chicken that signature crispy edge without frying in oil. Just a quick toss does the trick.

Salt and Pepper: A basic seasoning combo that brings balance and depth to the meat before it even hits the fryer.

Avocado Oil: Helps crisp the coating. It handles high heat well, which makes it a solid pick for air frying. If you have another neutral oil, that works too.

Soy Sauce: Brings salt and umami into the sauce. It’s the base note that ties the sweet and savory together.

Honey: Adds sticky sweetness that caramelizes just enough to cling to each bite of chicken.

Rice Vinegar: Brightens the sauce. You don’t need much, just a splash to cut through the sweetness and round everything out.

Sesame Oil: A small drizzle of this nutty oil pulls all the flavors together. It’s strong, so a little goes far.

Garlic and Ginger: Fresh and punchy, these two build warmth and depth into the glaze. Grated makes a big difference here.

Sesame Seeds: Once toasted on the finished chicken, they add a crunch and that unmistakable sesame flavor we love.

Green Onion: A fresh garnish to lighten the final dish. It looks nice, sure, but it brings a clean bite to the finish.

Cooked White Rice: The ideal base for soaking up that extra sauce. You can’t have sticky sesame chicken without a fluffy bed of rice.

4) How to Make Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. While that’s heating up, grab a large bowl and toss your chopped chicken thighs with cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Coat every piece—this helps get that golden finish.

Step 2: Add the oil to the seasoned chicken and give it another toss. It doesn’t need to be swimming, just a light coat to help things crisp without sticking.

Step 3: Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you pile it up, it’ll steam instead of crisp. Cook for 10 minutes, give it a good shake or stir, then let it go for another 5 minutes.

Step 4: While the chicken cooks, mix soy sauce, honey, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a saucepan. Simmer gently for a few minutes until it thickens just a bit and becomes glossy.

Step 5: Once the chicken is done, transfer it into a bowl. Pour the hot sauce over and toss until everything’s coated and shiny.

Step 6: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onion. Serve hot over rice or eat it straight from the bowl—I’m not judging.

5) Tips for Making Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken

Keep it simple, but smart. Here’s what I’ve learned after making this more times than I care to admit. First, don’t skip the cornstarch—it’s not optional if you want crisp. And shake the basket midway through cooking. It helps every piece brown up nice and even.

Use chicken thighs when you can. They’re just more forgiving than breasts in the air fryer. If you’re new to chicken air fryer recipes, thighs give you a cushion before anything dries out.

Don’t walk away from your sauce. It comes together fast and burns just as quickly if left on high heat. Keep it gentle. Let it simmer, not boil. And always taste it before tossing with the chicken. You might want a touch more honey or vinegar depending on your mood that night.

6) Making Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken Ahead of Time

This chicken reheats surprisingly well. If I know we’re having a busy night later in the week, I’ll make a batch and stash it in the fridge. Just keep the chicken and sauce separate until you’re ready to eat. That way, nothing turns soggy.

You can air fry the chicken earlier in the day, then warm it in a low oven or the air fryer for a few minutes before dinner. Heat the sauce separately on the stovetop or in the microwave. Combine and serve like it’s fresh off the fryer.

Want to save more time? Chop your chicken and mix the sauce a day ahead. You’ll be shocked at how fast things come together when most of the prep is already done.

7) Storing Leftover Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken

Let your leftovers cool completely before packing them away. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll hold up for about four days. The flavor sticks around, and the texture holds surprisingly well when reheated in the air fryer or even a pan.

Microwaving works in a pinch, but you’ll lose a little crisp. If you go that route, heat it in short bursts and stir between rounds. Add a small splash of water to the sauce if it’s too thick or sticky after chilling.

This is one of those dishes that actually gets better the next day. The sauce settles in, and the flavor deepens a bit. Just make sure you don’t forget it in the back of the fridge like I’ve done once or twice. Oops.

8) Try these Main Course recipes next!

9) Air Fryer Honey Sesame Chicken