Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Some weeknight dinners feel like a reward after a long day, and these Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with Broccoli are exactly that. Juicy, golden chicken pieces are seasoned simply and air-fried to perfection, then tossed in a glossy, sweet-and-savory honey garlic glaze that clings to every bite. Paired with tender, slightly crisp broccoli florets—also made in the air fryer—this meal comes together in just 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. It is the kind of dish that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but only asks for half an hour of your evening.

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The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. A light coat of olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika transforms plain chicken breast into golden, flavorful bites with a satisfying exterior. The real star, however, is the honey garlic sauce—just four pantry staples simmered together and thickened with a cornstarch slurry until it becomes that irresistible sticky glaze. Toss the hot chicken bites directly into the pan and watch them drink up every drop. Piled over a bed of bright green broccoli and finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions, this dish is as beautiful on the plate as it is on the palate.

Ingredients

• For the Chicken Bites:
• 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
• ¼ cup honey
• 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp water (slurry)
• For the Broccoli:
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Garnish (optional):
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

Step 1 — Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.

Step 2 — Season the Chicken

In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika until evenly coated.

Step 3 — Air Fry the Chicken

Arrange the chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C). Remove and set aside.

Step 4 — Prepare the Broccoli

While the chicken cooks, toss the broccoli florets with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Step 5 — Air Fry the Broccoli

Place the broccoli in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F (200°C) for 6–8 minutes, shaking halfway, until tender and slightly crisp.

Step 6 — Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and vinegar. Bring to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened.

Step 7 — Coat the Chicken

Add the cooked chicken bites to the saucepan and toss to coat in the honey garlic sauce.

Step 8 — Serve

Serve chicken bites over the air-fried broccoli. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, if desired.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

Achte darauf, die Hähnchenstücke gleichmäßig in einer einzigen Schicht in den Korb der Heißluftfritteuse zu legen, damit sie gleichmäßig garen und schön goldbraun werden. Überfülle den Korb nicht – koche die Hähnchenbissen lieber in zwei Portionen, falls nötig. Die Soße sollte bei mittlerer Hitze köcheln, nicht kochen, damit der Knoblauch sein Aroma entfalten kann, ohne bitter zu werden. Rühre die Stärkemischung gut um, bevor du sie in die Soße gibst, um Klümpchenbildung zu vermeiden.

Varianten und Anpassungen

Ersetze die Hähnchenbrust durch Hähnchenoberschenkel für ein saftigeres, aromatischeres Ergebnis. Wer es gerne schärfer mag, kann Chiliflocken in die Soße geben. Für eine glutenfreie Version tausche die Sojasoße gegen Tamari aus. Wer mehr Kohlenhydrate benötigt, serviert das Gericht mit gedämpftem Reis oder Quinoa als Beilage. Statt Brokkoli eignen sich auch grüne Bohnen, Zucchini oder Paprika als Gemüsebeilage.

Serviervorschläge

Dieses Gericht schmeckt am besten frisch aus der Pfanne, wenn die Soße noch glänzend und warm ist. Richte die glasierten Hähnchenbissen auf einem Bett aus luftgefritetem Brokkoli an und bestreue alles mit Sesamsamen und frisch geschnittenen Frühlingszwiebeln für einen Hauch Farbe und Textur. Als vollständige Mahlzeit kannst du gedämpften Jasminreis oder Quinoa dazu servieren. Für ein leichteres Abendessen reicht der Brokkoli allein als Unterlage vollkommen aus.

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These Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with Broccoli prove that healthy eating does not have to be bland or time-consuming. With just 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, you have a complete, protein-packed meal that delivers on flavor at every bite. Whether you are cooking for your family on a busy Tuesday or meal-prepping for the week ahead, this recipe is one you will return to again and again. The sweet, sticky glaze, the tender chicken, and the perfectly cooked broccoli make each plate feel like a little celebration of good, wholesome food.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?

Yes, chicken thighs can be used for a juicier and more flavorful bite while following the same cooking steps.

→ How do I make the honey garlic sauce thicker?

Adding a cornstarch slurry during simmering helps thicken the honey garlic sauce to a nice glaze consistency.

→ What temperature should the air fryer be set to?

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for both the chicken bites and broccoli to ensure even cooking.

→ Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Use tamari instead of soy sauce to keep the dish gluten-free without compromising flavor.

→ How can I add a spicy kick to the dish?

Incorporate red pepper flakes into the honey garlic sauce for a subtle but pleasant heat.

→ Is it necessary to toss broccoli with oil before air frying?

Tossing broccoli with olive oil helps achieve a crisp, tender texture and enhances flavor when air-fried.