This Honey Ginger Air Fryer Chicken is the juiciest chicken you’ll ever taste. Make it on its own, or pair it with your favorite veggies for a complete meal the whole family will love! Stove top option!
Everyone’s Favorite Dinner
Who doesn’t love a good chicken recipe? Whether you’re making a kid-friendly meal like chicken tenders, classic comfort food such as white chicken chile, or catering to low-carb and keto needs with Italian chicken casserole, it’s always guaranteed to please. For good reason, too! Not only is chicken a great source of high-quality protein, but it’s also budget-friendly and super versatile. So, what could possibly make it better?
Creating air fryer chicken, duh! Even better, I let it marinade in a honey ginger mixture for extra flavor and added moisture. Whether you’re cooking drumsticks or thighs, this ginger chicken comes together with ease and is some of the juiciest chicken you’ll ever taste. Whether you’re an air fryer pro or using one for the first time, I’ve got you covered with tips and tricks for smooth sailing. Keep reading to find everything you’ll need to know!
Why Use the Air Fryer?
A common complaint I get with chicken is that it turns out too dry and bland. However, if you make it in the air fryer, this problem pretty much solves itself! Clean-up is a breeze, too. By letting it “fry” we’re able to cook it at high temperatures and lock in the moisture with ease!
Sweet and Savory Ingredients
Embracing the best of both worlds, this air fryer chicken uses both sweet and savory ingredients to create a truly unique flavor experience. It’s light, tangy, and refreshing all at once!
However you describe it, it’s totally delicious and made with pantry ingredients you probably already have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Skin-On Chicken (Drumsticks or Thighs)
- Onions or Shallots
- Garlic
- Ginger Root
- Lemon Juice
- Honey
- Gluten-Free Soy Sauce or Tamari
- Red Pepper Flakes
Make It a Meal – Toss in your favorite veggies like asparagus and potatoes to turn this air fryer chicken recipe into a well-balanced meal!
How to Make Ginger Air Fryer Chicken
I know that using an air fryer can be intimidating at first, but I promise once you get the hang of it, you’ll never go back! Don’t worry, though, I’ve got a stovetop option just in case, too.
Marinate The Chicken
No matter which cooking method you’re using to create this ginger chicken, there are a few steps you’ll want to take before you begin.
- Make the Marinade. Start by whisking all the ingredients for the honey ginger sauce together in a small bowl until they are smooth.
- Marinade. Place the chicken in a Ziploc bag or baking dish, and coat it in the sauce for at least 20 minutes or up to 1 hour to really lock in the flavor.
Note: If you’re cooking your chicken on the stovetop, be sure to reserve 4 Tablespoons of the honey ginger sauce before adding the chicken to the marinade.
For the Air Fryer
- Preheat. Don’t forget to heat your air fryer before adding in your chicken! For the best results, I recommend setting it to 375° F.
- Skin-On. Keeping the skin on your air fryer chicken thighs or drumsticks will help prevent it from drying out. Place your chicken skin side down in the air fryer basket to start. This helps render the fat without browning the skin too much.
- Cook & Rotate. Let the chicken air fryer for 12 minutes before rotating it 180° and flipping it over. Cooking Tip: If you’re adding veggies, toss them in with the chicken half way through cooking and be sure to place them around the chicken before closing the air fryer basket.
- To Finish – Finish it off by letting it cook for another 8-12 minutes, depending on how thick the pieces are. The skin on smaller pieces of chicken will burn more easily. So, be sure to check on it every minute or so – unless you like burnt skin. Haha, I do!
- Give It a Rest! Once fully cooked, be sure to remove your air fryer chicken from the basket, and let it rest for 5 minutes to lock in the juices and flavor.
Note: If using drumsticks, let them cook for 18-20 minutes total, flipping once halfway through cooking, and check for doneness after 15 minutes.
Stovetop Option
- Get Prepared. Before you get started, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 400° F and spray either an 8×11 or 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking oil spray.
- Sear. Heat an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat, and sear the chicken skin side down for 3-5 minutes or until the skin is a beautiful golden-brown color. Then, flip it over, and repeat on the other side.
- Brush. Remember that sauce you reserved? This is its time to shine! Brush it over each piece of chicken, and add a lemon slice on top.
- Bake. Place the chicken (skillet and all) in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked and the juices run clear.
Pro-Tip: For extra crispy skin, let your chicken cook for an additional 2-3 minutes in either the air fryer or the oven!
Serving Suggestions
There’s not much this Honey Ginger Air Fryer Chicken doesn’t pair well with! Personally, I love it served alongside air fried asparagus. However, if you want to cook your veggies separately, it’s also great with:
Common Questions
Yes! Not only is it high in protein, but it also contains health benefits thanks to the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants used in the herbs and spices in the honey ginger sauce. Even better, if you pair it with veggies, it packs in a good dose of fiber, too.
You sure can! Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Or, pop them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
If you want to thaw your chicken before cooking you can. However, if it is not fully thawed, it will not absorb the marinade.
We get this question a lot. If the outside of your chicken gets dark, don’t panic! It’s supposed to! Although the outside may look burnt, it’s just charring created as the natural sugars from the marinade cook. The meat of your chicken will still be super juicy, and the skin will provide a satisfying crunch!
Ginger Air Fryer Chicken (stove top option)
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 6 pieces 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Never cook dry chicken again with this Ginger Air Fryer Chicken! Made with simple ingredients, it’s juicy on the inside with crispy skin on the outside for an easy meal the whole family will love. Stovetop Option.
Ingredients
For the Honey Ginger Sauce:
- ¼ cup onion or shallot, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1 teaspoon jarred minced ginger)
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 3–4 Tablespoons honey
- 2 Tablespoons gluten free soy sauce or tamari
- Optional: 1-2 Tablespoons water or broth to thin out sauce.
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
For the Air Fryer Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Optional Veggies:
- 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped
- Optional: lemon slices
Instructions
For the Sauce:
- Make the honey ginger sauce by adding all of the ingredients to a small bowl and whisking until smooth. For a thinner sauce, add 1-2 Tablespoons broth or water.
Air Fryer Chicken:
- Place the chicken in a baking dish or ziplock bag, and coat it with the prepared honey ginger sauce. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 20 minutes or up to 1 hour.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375° F. Once preheated, spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray and place the chicken skin side down in the basket. This helps render the fat without browning the skin too much.
- Cook for 12 minutes. Rotate the chicken 180°, and turn it skin side up before cooking for 8-10 more minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken (See notes for cooking times if using drumsticks or including veggies). Chicken is done when an internal meat thermometer reads 165° F. For extra crispy skin, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Note: If the outside of your chicken looks burnt, don’t panic! The outside may look burnt, but it’s just charring from the natural sugars from the marinade. The meat inside will still be juicy, and the skin will provide a satisfying crunch!
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer, and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving.
Stove Top Option:
- Reserve 4 Tablespoons of the honey ginger sauce. Place the chicken in a baking dish or ziplock bag, and coat it with the remaining sauce. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 20 minutes or up to 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line or grease an 8×11 (or 9×13) inch casserole dish with cooking oil spray.
- Heat an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the chicken skin side down for 3-5 minutes or until the skin is golden. Turn the chicken over, and repeat. Add the seared chicken to the casserole dish skin side up.
- Optional Veggies: Using a spatula or wooden utensil, scrape the pan to push the leftover bits of browning to the center. Add the asparagus to the skillet, and toss it in the browning bits for about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the asparagus to the casserole dish with the chicken. Brush the reserved marinade over each thigh (using about 1 Tablespoon per thigh). Top them with lemon slices.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear. The skin should be crispy and brown, and the internal temperature will read 165° F when fully cooked. For extra crispy skin, broil at the last minute of cooking.
- Serve with lemon slices and sliced green onions, if desired.
Notes
If using drumsticks, pre-heat the air fryer to 375° F, and cook for 18-20 minutes, flipping over halfway through. Check for doneness after 15 minutes total. Spray the asparagus with cooking oil, and add it to the air fryer halfway through the total cooking time of the chicken.
Cooking times and doneness vary depending on the type of air fryer. Check chicken half way through cooking times for progress. Adjust cooking times as needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 6.2 g
- Sodium: 291.2 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.3 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 8.6 g
- Cholesterol: 47.3 mg
Oh my word, the sauce on this chicken is everything! I love, love, love ginger and this just blew my mind. So dang good!
Right? I so agree!
We loved this dish!! The sauce is amazing!
So glad! Thanks for feedback Doris!