Air Fryer Brown Sugar Chicken

These Air Fryer Brown Sugar Chicken thighs are a quick and easy dish to make any time of year! The brown sugar glaze for chicken caramelizes on the skin, making it crispy and delicious — perfect for any holiday meal or busy weeknight! You won’t believe how easy this chicken dish is to make, and neither will your guests.

Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs

Love chicken thighs? Love sugary glazes? Then you’re going to love this recipe for air fryer garlic brown sugar chicken thighs!

The combination of sweet and savory is absolutely delicious, and the best part is that this dish is incredibly easy to make. So whether you’re an experienced cook or just starting out, you’ll be able to whip up these delicious chicken thighs in no time.

I’ve served these brown sugar garlic chicken thighs at Thanksgiving and on a random Wednesday, and they were a hit both times! The caramelized, crispy skin and combination of sweet brown sugar, savory soy sauce, and garlic come together to make a unique chicken dish you’ll come back to again and again.

For more unique air fryer chicken recipes, try my AIR FRYER CHICKEN KARAAGE, TERIYAKI CHICKEN, AIR FRYER JAMAICAN JERK CHICKEN WINGS, or AIR FRYER CHICKEN ADOBO.

Why You’ll Love Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs

• Classic sweet and savory flavor combination
• Crispy, caramelized skin
• Simple ingredients
• So easy in the air fryer!

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What Are Chicken Thighs?

If you’re new to cooking chicken, you might be wondering what chicken thighs are. Chicken thighs are a type of chicken meat taken from the bird’s leg. They are dark meat, which means they are richer in flavor and juicier than white meat.

Chicken thighs can be cooked in various ways, making them a versatile ingredient for any recipe. So, if you’re looking for something new to try in your kitchen, consider using chicken thighs. You won’t be disappointed!

Ingredients Needed to Make a Brown Sugar Glaze for Chicken

When you think of marinade, you may not immediately think of a brown sugar glaze for chicken. But the combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic works perfectly!

If you need an easy, delicious chicken dinner that’s sure to impress anybody, look no further than my brown sugar chicken thighs.

For complete ingredients and quantities, keep on scrolling until you get to the bottom with a printable recipe card.

• Chicken Thighs
• Soy Sauce
• Brown Sugar
• Honey
• Olive Oil
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Basil
• Minced Garlic
• Ground Ginger
• Salt
• Black Pepper

How to Make Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Thighs

Step 1: Make Marinade

Start by gathering all of your items for the marinade. These brown sugar garlic chicken thighs call for simple ingredients that are probably already in your pantry.

Add the soy sauce to a large mixing bowl, then add the brown sugar. Add the honey, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and garlic to the mixing bowl with your spices and mix well to combine.

Step 2: Marinate Chicken

Add your chicken to the marinade, toss to coat, and chill for at least an hour. You can marinade for as little as 30 minutes if you’re in a pinch, but the longer the better. If you have plenty of time, you can marinade for up to 24 hours for a stronger flavor.

After marinating, coat again, and prepare your air fryer basket.

Step 3: Cook Brown Sugar Chicken

Place your brown sugar chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes at 360 degrees F. Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 6 minutes.

Be sure to check the temperature of your chicken before you remove it from the air fryer basket. It needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F before it’s safe to eat.

After your chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the air fryer basket, plate, and serve. Enjoy with your favorite sides for a fully decadent feast.

Pro Tips for Making Perfect Air Fried Chicken Thighs

• Marinate the chicken for longer for a stronger flavor. I recommend at least an hour, but you can marinate for as little as 30 minutes if you’re in a pinch. Or, or up to 24 hours for a rich, robust end result.
• Play with ingredient ratios in the glaze to find the combination that suits your tastes best. For instance, try using less soy sauce for a sweeter result or more garlic for some extra zing. You can season your marinade to taste rather than by exact measurements.
• Cook to temperature rather than by time to ensure the brown sugar chicken is safe to consume. Chicken needs to be cooked to 165 degrees F, so check often and adjust your cooking time accordingly.
• For best results, do not crowd your air fryer basket. Otherwise, some of your garlic brown sugar chicken thighs won’t crisp up, and other pieces may be undercooked.

Can I Use Any Cut of Chicken?

Yes, you can use any part of the chicken you want when you make brown sugar chicken! I think combining the thighs with wings or drumsticks would be delicious. You can also try chicken breast or tenderloins.

Just be sure to keep the skin on when possible! The air fryer crisps it up to perfection, which really is the crowning feature of this chicken recipe.

What Should I Serve With Air Fryer Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs?

Any meat is a complete meal when served with a starch and a vegetable! You can serve brown sugar garlic chicken thighs with a variety of side dishes, and they’ll all pair amazingly. Some of my favorites are;

• AIR FRYER HOMEMADE PIZZA ROLLS
• AIR FRYER FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
• EASY AIR FRYER TWICE BAKED SWEET POTATOES
• AIR FRYER BACON AND CRAB ROLLS
• EASY AIR FRYER COPYCAT PANERA PEPPERONI FLATBREAD

How to Store and Reheat Brown Sugar Chicken

Store any leftovers in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. They will last for about 3 to 4 days.

To reheat, simply add your leftover garlic brown sugar chicken thighs to the air fryer at 350 degrees F on the air fryer setting and cook until warmed through.

Can I Reheat My Chicken in the Microwave?

Of course! Reheating in the microwave is super convenient, and sometimes the only option, especially if you take your leftovers to work.

Just be aware that when reheating in the microwave, you’ll lose the crispiness the brown sugar glaze for chicken adds. To best maintain the crispy texture, I suggest reheating in the air fryer or even the oven.

How Do You Keep Chicken Thighs From Becoming Tough?

Thighs are a tender cut of meat, so they’re pretty forgiving, even if they’re cooked a bit too long. However, overcooking any cut of meat can lead to tough, chewy bites.

To avoid tough thighs, cook to temperature rather than following time guidelines precisely. You’ll find that cook time varies depending on your air fryer model, temperature, and even your altitude!

Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and then stop, regardless of time. This will ensure your chicken is safe to consume and will prevent you from overcooking!

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes:

• AIR FRYER CURRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH
• AIR FRYER TRADER JOE’S SHAWARMA CHICKEN THIGHS
• REHEAT ROTISSERIE CHICKEN IN AIR FRYER
• AIR FRYER CHICKEN SCHNITZEL
• AIR FRYER GREEK CHICKEN KEBABS

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