Crispy Air Fryer Chicken with Honey Gochujang Sauce: Sweet, Spicy, and Irresistible

This Crispy Air Fryer Chicken coated in a honey gochujang sauce is an absolute game-changer—crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and drenched in a sauce that perfectly balances heat, sweetness, and umami. It's got all the flavours you crave, with a little extra kick!

Whether you’re making this for a weeknight dinner or serving it up as a snack at your next gathering, this recipe is guaranteed to impress.

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Air Fryer Chicken

First off, the air fryer is a total hero when it comes to crispy chicken. It makes sure the outside gets golden and crunchy, without all the oil that comes with deep frying. You’ll get that satisfying crispiness while keeping the chicken tender and juicy on the inside.

But what truly makes this dish stand out is the honey gochujang sauce. Gochujang, a Korean chilli paste, adds a delicious level of heat and depth to the sauce. When mixed with honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a touch of sesame oil, you get a complex, sweet-spicy umami sauce that perfectly complements the crispy chicken. Top it all off with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh green onions, and you’ve got a dish that’s as flavorful as it is beautiful.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts, cut into strips)

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 large egg, beaten

• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)

For the Honey Gochujang Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chilli paste)

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced

• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

For Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (toasted, optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken:

Start by patting the chicken dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture—this will help the coating stick better.

Next, set up a breading station:

• In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

• In a second bowl, beat the egg.

• In a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.

Now, coat each piece of chicken. Start by dredging the chicken in the flour mixture, then dip it in the beaten egg, and finally coat it in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to ensure a nice even coat.

2. Preheat the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes to ensure it's hot and ready for the chicken.

3. Cook the Chicken:

Lightly coat the air fryer basket with non-stick spray or a drizzle of oil to prevent sticking.

Place the breaded chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer—don’t overcrowd the basket to allow for even crisping. Air fry the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for about 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. You can check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer—it should reach 165°F (75°C)to be fully cooked.

4. Make the Honey Gochujang Sauce:

While the chicken is cooking, it's time to make that delicious sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the gochujang, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper.

Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it starts to bubble and thicken slightly, about 3-5 minutes. Once it’s thickened to your liking, remove the sauce from the heat and set it aside.

5. Toss the Chicken in the Sauce:

Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the honey gochujang sauce over the crispy chicken and gently toss it to coat all the pieces in that luscious, spicy-sweet sauce.

6. Garnish and Serve:

Transfer the sauced chicken to a serving platter and garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds(toasted sesame seeds add an extra crunch and flavour, but they’re optional). Serve immediately while it’s still crispy and fresh!

Tips for Perfection

• Adjust the Spice: If you prefer a milder sauce, you can reduce the amount of gochujang and increase the honey. For those who like extra heat, add a little more gochujang or a splash of hot sauce to kick things up.

• For Extra Crispiness: For an even crispier coating, lightly spray the breaded chicken with a bit of oil before air frying. This will give it that extra crunch without adding too much oil.

• Chicken Breast Option: You can easily substitute chicken breasts for the thighs. Just slice them into strips or tenders for faster cooking. Keep an eye on the cooking time, as breasts tend to cook a bit quicker than thighs.

• Make Ahead: You can cook the chicken in advance and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, simply toss it in the sauce and reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore the crispiness.

Final Thoughts

This Crispy Air Fryer Chicken with Honey Gochujang Sauce is a total winner. The combination of crispy chicken and a sweet-spicy sauce is simply irresistible. Whether you're making it for a quick weeknight dinner or impressing guests at a gathering, it’s bound to be a hit.

The air fryer makes this dish so much easier (and healthier!) than deep-frying, and the honey gochujang sauce? Pure magic. So next time you're craving something crispy, spicy, and satisfying, give this recipe a try—you won’t regret it!

Enjoy your crispy, saucy goodness!

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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken with Honey Gochujang Sauce, Sesame Seeds, and Green Onions

Yield: 8

Author: Jennifer Cartier

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 40 Min

Cook modePrevent screen from turning off

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts, cut into strips)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)

For the Honey Gochujang Sauce

• 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

For Garnish

• 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (toasted, optional)

Instructions

1. Start by patting the chicken dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture—this will help the coating stick better.
2. Next, set up a breading station:
3. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
4. In a second bowl, beat the egg.
5. In a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
6. Now, coat each piece of chicken. Start by dredging the chicken in the flour mixture, then dip it in the beaten egg, and finally coat it in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to ensure a nice even coat. P
7. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes to ensure it's hot and ready for the chicken.
8. Lightly coat the air fryer basket with non-stick spray or a drizzle of oil to prevent sticking.
9. Place the breaded chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer—don’t overcrowd the basket to allow for even crisping. Air fry the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for about 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. You can check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer—it should reach 165°F (75°C)to be fully cooked.
10. While the chicken is cooking, it's time to make that delicious sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the gochujang, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and black pepper.
11. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it starts to bubble and thicken slightly, about 3-5 minutes. Once it’s thickened to your liking, remove the sauce from the heat and set it aside.
12. Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the honey gochujang sauce over the crispy chicken and gently toss it to coat all the pieces in that luscious, spicy-sweet sauce.
13. Transfer the sauced chicken to a serving platter and garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds(toasted sesame seeds add an extra crunch and flavour, but they’re optional). Serve immediately while it’s still crispy and fresh!

Notes

Tips for Perfection

• Adjust the Spice: If you prefer a milder sauce, you can reduce the amount of gochujang and increase the honey. For those who like extra heat, add a little more gochujang or a splash of hot sauce to kick things up.
• For Extra Crispiness: For an even crispier coating, lightly spray the breaded chicken with a bit of oil before air frying. This will give it that extra crunch without adding too much oil.
• Chicken Breast Option: You can easily substitute chicken breasts for the thighs. Just slice them into strips or tenders for faster cooking. Keep an eye on the cooking time, as breasts tend to cook a bit quicker than thighs.
• Make Ahead: You can cook the chicken in advance and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, simply toss it in the sauce and reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore the crispiness.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

156

Fat

4 g

Sat. Fat

1 g

Carbs

15 g

Fiber

1 g

Net carbs

15 g

Sugar

5 g

Protein

14 g

Sodium

360 mg

Cholesterol

77 mg

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