Honey Butter Chicken

Juicy chicken thighs are marinated, air-fried (or baked), then tossed in a glossy, rich honey-butter sauce with garlic and soy for sweet-savory perfection.

Ingredients

• Chicken Thighs: Juicy, flavorful, and ideal for soaking up marinades and sauces.
• Soy Sauce: Adds saltiness and depth to both the marinade and sauce.
• Honey: Brings natural sweetness and that glossy finish.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a punch of savory flavor to the marinade.
• Salt & Pepper: Enhances the natural flavor of the chicken.
• Garlic Cloves: Fresh and aromatic, perfect for infusing the sauce.
• Water: Helps balance out the saltiness and consistency of the sauce.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the honey butter sauce.
• Unsalted Butter: The key to a rich, velvety, and flavorful honey butter sauce.

Method

• 1

  Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

  In a large bowl, combine chicken thighs with soy sauce, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes, or pop it in the fridge overnight for extra flavor.

• 2

  Step 2: Cook in the Air Fryer (or Oven)

  Preheat your air fryer to 425°F. Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer, cooking in batches if needed. Air fry for 11–14 minutes, flipping halfway, until browned and fully cooked (internal temp should be 165°F). For the oven, bake at 400°F for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden.

• 3

  Step 3: Make the Honey Butter Sauce

  While the chicken is cooking, mix soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, water, and cornstarch in a bowl. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Pour in the sauce mixture, stir, and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.

• 4

  Step 4: Toss and Serve

  Once the chicken is ready, pour the honey butter sauce over and toss to coat evenly. Save a little extra sauce for dipping, if you’d like. Serve honey butter chicken with white rice, veggies, or anything you love. Enjoy!

Tips

• Use chicken breasts or chicken wings: Swap in boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken wings if that’s what you have on hand, just adjust the cooking time.
• Sauce for Fried Chicken: You can also make this sauce for fried chicken!
• Add spice: Toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of chili oil to give the honey butter sauce a spicy kick.
• More veggies, more fun: Serve it with sautéed green beans, broccoli, or even a fresh cucumber salad for crunch.
• Don’t skip the marinade: Even 10 minutes makes a difference in how flavorful your honey butter chicken turns out.
• Watch the sauce: Simmer just until it thickens slightly—don’t let it reduce too much or it might become too salty.
• Use a meat thermometer: For juicy, perfectly cooked chicken, aim for 165°F internal temp.
• **Storage:** This honey butter chicken is best fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• **Reheating:** Reheating is a breeze using a large skillet or in the microwave.

Nutrition (per serving, estimate)