Why didn't my chicken thighs turn out crispy?

The chicken isn't going to turn out as crispy as if you used a breading, but it should have a thin crisp layer. If the surface of the chicken still had moisture on it or didn't have enough cornstarch coating on it, this could prevent it from crisping. You also need to spray the chicken with oil before air frying. The other reason could be that the chicken wasn't cooked long enough. Even if the chicken has reached 165F, you can air fry it a little longer to crisp it up. Chicken thighs will not get tough and rubbery like chicken breast if they're overcooked a bit.

If the chicken is coated in sauce, why does it need to be crispy?

Adding a thin, crisp coating to the chicken before adding the sauce adds texture and helps the sauce cling to the chicken better.

Can I substitute with bone-in chicken thighs?

Yes, but you'll need to increase the air frying time by about 8-10 minutes.

Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with Honey Garlic Sauce

Name: Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with Honey Garlic Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Canadian
Ingredients: 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 – 2 pounds), excess fat trimmed; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/4 cup (85g) honey; 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce; 2 tablespoons water; 1 tablespoon fancy molasses; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar; 5 garlic cloves, minced; cornstarch slurry 1/4 cup water; 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Description

These Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs are tender and juicy with a light, crisp coating and tossed in a homemade honey garlic sauce. Dinner is ready in just 30 minutes!

Ingredients

For the chicken:

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 – 2 pounds), excess fat trimmed
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

For the sauce:

1/4 cup (85g) honey
2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon fancy molasses
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar
5 garlic cloves, minced
cornstarch slurry
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch

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Instructions

Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
In a small bowl, mix together the cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Coat the chicken on all sides.
Spray both sides of the chicken thighs with oil and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 400F for 12-15 minutes or until lightly crisp and golden, stopping after 7-8 minutes to flip the pieces over. The internal temperature should be at least 165F but it’s okay if it goes to 175F.
While the chicken air fries, add the honey, soy sauce, water, molasses, vinegar, sugar and garlic to a small sauce pan. Stir together over medium heat until it starts to bubble.
Make a cornstarch slurry by whisking together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water. Whisk into the honey mixture and stir until thickened. Remove from heat.
Transfer the air fried chicken to a serving dish and pour the warm sauce over the chicken. Serve with sliced green onions and/or chopped fresh parsley along with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

Make sure the chicken is evenly coated with the cornstarch and seasoning mixture. The cornstarch helps absorb moisture and contribute to a crispy texture. While I coated the chicken by using my hands, you can also add everything to a large resealable bag and shake until the chicken is coated all over.
To ensure the chicken cooks evenly on all sides, it should be placed in the air fryer basket in a single layer with a little space around each piece. I used a 5.8 quart air fryer, which fit 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs. If you have a smaller air fryer, you will need to air fry in batches or half the recipe.
If you prefer a honey garlic sauce that’s thinner, just add more water. If you prefer a thicker sauce, use more cornstarch slurry.