Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken

This air fryer honey mustard chicken is one of those recipes you’ll want to make again and again. It’s quick, flavorful, and the air fryer gives the glaze this amazing sticky caramelized finish.

The honey mustard sauce is homemade and comes together in just a couple of minutes. It has a nice balance of tangy mustard, sweet honey, and a touch of smokiness.

Chicken thighs work perfectly here because they stay juicy and tender, even with the high heat of the air fryer. No dry chicken, I promise.

The whole thing takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. That includes making the sauce, prepping the chicken, and cooking it.

Serve it with some roasted veggies or a simple salad and you’ve got a complete dinner that everyone at the table will enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sticky Caramelized Glaze – The honey mustard sauce gets beautifully sticky and caramelized in the air fryer with golden edges you will absolutely love.

Juicy Chicken Every Time – Boneless skinless chicken thighs stay incredibly tender and juicy on the inside thanks to the air fryer’s quick cooking.

The Sauce Is Incredible – The mix of Dijon and whole grain mustard with honey and smoked paprika creates a bold tangy-sweet flavor that is hard to beat.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs (about 1.5 lb)
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

For the Honey Mustard Sauce

• 3 tbsp Dijon Mustard
• 2 tbsp Honey
• 1 tbsp Whole Grain Mustard
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil

How To Make

Step 1

In a small bowl, whisk together the dijon mustard, honey, whole grain mustard, minced garlic, smoked paprika, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil until smooth and well combined. Set aside about 2 tablespoons of the sauce for glazing at the end.

Step 2

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil and season both sides with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Then spoon the larger portion of the honey mustard sauce over the chicken, coating each piece evenly on all sides.

Step 3

Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F. Place the coated chicken thighs in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.

Step 4

Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken. Brush the reserved honey mustard sauce over the tops of the chicken thighs.

Step 5

Continue cooking for another 6 to 8 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and the glaze looks sticky and caramelized with golden edges.

Step 6

Let the chicken rest for 3 to 4 minutes before serving. The honey mustard glaze will thicken slightly as it sits. Serve with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad.

Tips

Dry the Chicken Really Well

Before you season the chicken, take a couple of paper towels and press them firmly against each thigh on both sides. You want to remove as much surface moisture as possible.

If the chicken is still wet when it goes into the air fryer, the honey mustard sauce won’t stick properly and will slide right off. Dry chicken also gets that nice golden color on the edges instead of looking pale and steamed.

Reserve the Glaze Before You Touch the Raw Chicken

Scoop out those 2 tablespoons of reserved sauce first, before you use the rest to coat the raw chicken. Put it in a separate small bowl and set it aside.

This way you’re not dipping a spoon back into sauce that’s already touched raw chicken. It also means the reserved glaze stays fresh and flavorful for when you brush it on at the end.

Don’t Skip Preheating the Air Fryer

Let the air fryer run at 380 degrees F for about 3-5 minutes before you put the chicken in. Starting with a hot basket makes a big difference with this recipe.

A preheated air fryer helps the honey mustard sauce start caramelizing right away instead of just slowly warming up. Without preheating, you’ll likely need extra cook time and the glaze won’t get that sticky, golden finish.

Related Recipes

• Air Fryer Crispy Honey Mustard Chicken Bites
• Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Air Fryer Cajun Chicken
• Air Fryer Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?

You can, but chicken breasts are leaner and tend to dry out faster in the air fryer. If you go with breasts, reduce the cooking time by a few minutes and keep a close eye on the internal temperature so they don’t overcook.

Chicken thighs are a better fit for this recipe because they stay juicy and pair really well with the sticky honey mustard glaze. If you do use breasts, consider pounding them to an even thickness so they cook more evenly.