Crispy & Juicy Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs: Your Ultimate Easy Dinner Recipe

Prepare to be amazed by these incredible Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs! Seasoned to perfection and air-fried until gloriously crisp on the outside and incredibly juicy within, this recipe is a game-changer for quick, delicious meals. The sweet and tangy homemade honey mustard sauce elevates every bite, making this a dish you’ll want to make again and again.

Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight dinner or an impressive dish for guests, these chicken thighs deliver on flavor and convenience. They pair wonderfully with a variety of sides, creating a complete and satisfying meal. Imagine enjoying these delicious chicken thighs alongside a refreshing deviled egg pasta salad or some vibrant cheesy garlic asparagus for a complete and balanced dinner.

Golden brown, crispy air fryer chicken thighs served with a generous dollop of honey mustard sauce.

I am always on the hunt for quick and easy recipes that don’t compromise on flavor, and this one has quickly become a top favorite in my kitchen. If you’ve enjoyed other simple air fryer delights like air fryer scallops or air fryer turkey wings, then you are absolutely going to adore these succulent air fryer chicken thighs. They bring that perfect blend of ease and gourmet taste right to your dinner table.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs

This recipe isn’t just another chicken dish; it’s a culinary experience designed for convenience and maximum enjoyment. Here’s why these honey mustard chicken thighs will become a staple in your recipe rotation:

Effortless & Fast: Forget long cooking times! This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes from start to finish, requiring just a handful of everyday ingredients. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a delicious meal on the table in a flash.
Unbeatable Flavor and Texture: You’ll achieve the most tender, juicy chicken thighs with unbelievably crispy skin. The robust seasoning blend combined with the sweet and tangy homemade honey mustard creates an explosion of flavors that will delight your taste buds. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch followed by succulent, moist chicken.
Incredibly Versatile: These chicken thighs are fantastic as a stand-alone main course, but their versatility doesn’t stop there. They can be served with various side dishes, making them adaptable to any meal plan.
Fantastic Leftovers: Not only are they delicious fresh, but these chicken thighs also make incredible leftovers! Simply place any remaining portions in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The leftover meat can be repurposed into delicious chicken salads, wraps, quesadillas, or even a creamy chicken dip, ensuring no delicious morsel goes to waste.

Essential Ingredient Notes for the Best Results

Selecting the right ingredients and understanding your options can make a big difference in the final outcome of your dish. Here’s what you need to know:

Chicken Thighs: I prefer to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe. The bone helps to keep the meat incredibly juicy and flavorful during cooking, while the skin crisps up beautifully in the air fryer, adding a wonderful texture and richness. However, if you prefer boneless, skinless chicken thighs, feel free to use them! Just remember that boneless chicken thighs will cook significantly quicker, so adjust your cooking time accordingly. Always ensure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Honey Mustard Sauce: While my homemade honey mustard recipe is simple and yields superior results, I understand that sometimes convenience is key. If you’re short on time or prefer a ready-made option, feel free to use your favorite store-bought honey mustard instead. Just ensure it’s a high-quality brand you enjoy!

All the fresh ingredients ready for preparing a delicious batch of air fryer honey mustard chicken thighs.

How to Craft Your Delicious Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs

Follow these easy steps to create perfectly cooked, flavorful chicken thighs that will impress everyone at your table:

Prepare the Seasoning Blend: In a small bowl, combine the paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. This blend provides a fantastic aromatic base for the chicken, enhancing its natural flavors.
Season the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then generously season both sides of the chicken with salt, black pepper, and your prepared seasoning blend. Ensure the chicken is thoroughly coated, massaging the spices into the meat and even under the skin for maximum flavor penetration. Let it sit for a few minutes while you prepare the air fryer.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and aid in crisping. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F (195 degrees C). Preheating is crucial for achieving that desirable crispy skin and even cooking.
Whip Up the Honey Mustard: While your air fryer preheats, prepare the star of the show – the honey mustard sauce! In a separate small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, and finely grated garlic. Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust sweetness or tanginess to your preference.
Begin Air Frying: Carefully place the seasoned chicken thighs in the preheated air fryer basket, skin side down. Ensure there’s enough space between each thigh for air to circulate; do not overcrowd the basket. Cook for 12 minutes to start crisping the bottom and rendering some fat.
Flip and Finish: After 12 minutes, flip the chicken thighs over. Continue cooking for another 10 minutes. At this point, the chicken should be mostly cooked. Carefully brush the tops of the chicken thighs generously with your homemade honey mustard sauce. Cook for an additional 1 minute, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) as measured with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. The sauce will caramelize slightly, creating a beautiful glaze.
Serve and Store: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken. Serve with extra honey mustard on the side for dipping! Any leftover honey mustard sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Two beautifully cooked air fryer chicken thighs, ready to be sauced and served.

Top Tips for Achieving the Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Mastering the air fryer is easy with a few key techniques. Follow these tips to ensure your honey mustard chicken thighs are consistently delicious:

Pat the Chicken Dry: This is a crucial step for achieving super crispy skin. Use paper towels to thoroughly pat the chicken thighs dry before seasoning them. Excess moisture will steam the chicken instead of crisping it.
Bring Chicken to Room Temperature: For more even cooking, allow your chicken thighs to sit out at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before cooking. This prevents the outside from overcooking while the inside struggles to reach temperature.
Season Under the Skin: Don’t just season the surface! Gently lift the skin and rub some seasoning directly onto the meat. This ensures every part of the chicken is bursting with flavor, not just the crispy skin.
Avoid Overcrowding the Basket: Air circulation is the secret to air frying. If your air fryer basket is small, work in batches. Overcrowding traps moisture and prevents the hot air from reaching all surfaces, resulting in less crispy chicken. Give each thigh its space to breathe!
Use a Meat Thermometer: The only way to truly guarantee your chicken is safely cooked and perfectly juicy is by checking its internal temperature. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone, until it reads 165°F (74°C).
Let It Rest: Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it incredibly tender and moist.

Can I Make This In the Oven Instead?

Absolutely! While the air fryer provides unmatched crispiness and speed, you can certainly make these delicious honey mustard chicken thighs in a conventional oven. Here’s how:

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs on a baking sheet, ideally on a wire rack set over a foil-lined sheet for better air circulation and crisping. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). During the last 5-7 minutes of baking, brush the chicken thighs with the honey mustard sauce. For an extra golden-brown and crispy finish, you can briefly broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes at the very end, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning.

Delicious Serving Suggestions for Your Chicken Thighs

These Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs are incredibly versatile and pair well with a wide range of side dishes. Here are some ideas to inspire your meal planning:

Classic Sides: Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, or a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette.
Vegetable Delights: Alongside the suggested cheesy garlic asparagus, consider steamed broccoli, green beans with almonds, or a colorful medley of roasted root vegetables.
Grains & Starches: Enjoy with fluffy white rice, brown rice, quinoa, or even a flavorful couscous.
Cool & Creamy: The deviled egg pasta salad is a fantastic choice, offering a creamy, refreshing contrast to the warm chicken.
Bread: A side of crusty bread or warm dinner rolls is perfect for soaking up any extra honey mustard sauce.

Leftovers and Storage Tips

These chicken thighs are so good, you might not have many leftovers! But if you do, they store beautifully:

Refrigeration: Place any cooled leftover chicken thighs and honey mustard sauce in separate airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating: For best results, reheat the chicken in your air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy again. You can also use a conventional oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes. Microwaving is an option, but the skin won’t be as crispy.
Creative Uses: Shred the leftover chicken to make delicious honey mustard chicken sandwiches, add it to a leafy green salad for a quick lunch, or use it in wraps, quesadillas, or even a light pasta dish.

More Irresistible Chicken Recipes You’ll Probably Enjoy

If you loved the ease and flavor of these air fryer honey mustard chicken thighs, be sure to explore more of my favorite chicken recipes:

Marry Me Chicken – A super delicious and incredibly easy creamy chicken dish that’s perfect for any occasion!
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken – Indulgently creamy, packed with flavor, and cooks in under 20 minutes for a quick gourmet experience.
Crispy Chicken Cutlets – Achieve perfectly crispy exteriors and juicy interiors with these crowd-pleasing chicken cutlets.
Creamy Smothered Chicken Thighs – A comforting, hearty meal, ideal for those colder evenings, brimming with rich flavors.

Tried this recipe? Please consider leaving a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Your feedback is greatly appreciated! And don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest for more delicious recipes!

air fryer chicken thighs with a side of honey mustard.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs

By
Julie Maestre

These air fryer honey mustard chicken thighs are seasoned to perfection, then air-fried until crisp and juicy!

Prep:
10 mins

Cook:
23 mins

Total:
33 mins

Servings:
4

Equipment

air fryer

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
nonstick cooking spray

For the Honey Mustard Sauce:

1/3 cup dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 garlic clove, grated

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Season the chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, the seasoning blend, and olive oil. Mix well and set it aside.
Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray and preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F (195 degrees C).
While the air fryer preheats, prepare the honey mustard. Mix the mayo, dijon mustard, honey, and grated garlic until smooth.
Place the chicken in the air fryer, skin side down, and cook for 12 minutes.
Flip the chicken thighs and cook for 10 minutes. Brush the chicken thighs generously with the honey mustard sauce and cook for an additional 1 minute or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Serve the chicken with extra honey mustard on the side.
Place any leftover honey mustard sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Notes

There will likely be plenty of honey mustard sauce leftover to serve on the side or save for other dishes!

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:
Julie Maestre

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
23 minutes

Total Time:
33 minutes

Course:
Entree

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
4

Calories:
492

Keyword:
air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer honey mustard chicken thighs, honey mustard chicken thighs