These chicken nuggets are juicy on the inside and have lightly caramelized edges. They are coated in a glossy honey-garlic sauce that’s sweet, savory, and buttery, with just enough richness to feel indulgent without being too heavy. They are perfect for a weeknight meal.
You can serve them as an appetizer, for a snack with dipping sauce, or served over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets With Honey Garlic Sauce
Ingredients:
Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs. chicken breasts or thigh cut into 1–1½ inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Honey Garlic Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch plus 1 tablespoon water,optional, for thickening
Instructions:
Prepare Chicken
-
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and lightly grease the basket.
-
Pat chicken pieces dry and place in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Toss until evenly coated.
-
Arrange chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden on the outside and cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
Honey Garlic Sauce
-
While the chicken cooks, add honey, soy sauce, butter, vinegar, and minced garlic to a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth and glossy. For a thicker sauce, whisk in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for 30–60 seconds until slightly thickened.
Combine Chicken and Sauce
-
Transfer hot chicken to a bowl. Spoon the warm sauce over the chicken and toss gently until evenly coated. Serve immediately.
Notes
● Avoid overcrowding the basket — cook in batches if needed for even browning.
● Toss with sauce while the chicken is hot so it clings evenly.
Storage & Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–5 minutes until warmed through.
- Add a small spoonful of extra sauce or honey if reheating.
What to Serve with Honey Garlic Chicken Nuggets
- Steamed rice or rice noodles
- Broccoli, green beans, or snap peas
- Grain bowls with cucumber and avocado
- Lettuce wraps or wraps with shredded cabbage
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Nuggets
These chicken nuggets are lightly caramelized and coated in a honey garlic sauce that’s sweet, savory, and buttery with no fattening breading.
Author: Recipe Idea Shop
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs. chicken breasts or thigh cut into 1–1½ inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Honey Garlic Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch plus 1 tablespoon water,optional, for thickening
Instructions
Prepare Chicken
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F and lightly grease the basket.
- Pat chicken pieces dry and place in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Toss until evenly coated.
- Arrange chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden on the outside and cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
Honey Garlic Sauce
- While chicken cooks, add honey, soy sauce, butter, vinegar, and minced garlic to a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth and glossy. For a thicker sauce, whisk in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for 30–60 seconds until slightly thickened.
Combine Chicken and Sauce
- Transfer hot chicken to a bowl. Spoon the warm sauce over the chicken and toss gently until evenly coated. Serve immediately.
Nutrition (may vary depending on ingredients and amounts used)
Serving: 4ounces | Calories: 117.2kcal | Carbohydrates: 15.64g | Protein: 1.61g | Fat: 6.29g | Saturated Fat: 2.78g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.45g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.72g | Trans Fat: 0.15g | Cholesterol: 10.03mg | Sodium: 892.9mg | Potassium: 94.64mg | Fiber: 1.24g | Sugar: 11.82g | Vitamin A: 220.68IU | Vitamin C: 0.39mg | Calcium: 24.5mg | Iron: 0.76mg
Notes
● Avoid overcrowding the basket — cook in batches if needed for even browning.
● Toss with sauce while the chicken is hot so it clings evenly.
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