Honey Garlic Chicken Bites (Print)

Juicy chicken bits glazed in honey garlic and served with tender air-fried broccoli for a quick meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken Bites

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika

→ Honey Garlic Sauce

06 - 1/4 cup honey
07 - 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
10 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water

→ Broccoli

11 - 2 cups broccoli florets
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

15 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
16 - 2 green onions, sliced

# Directions:

01 - Set air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika. Toss until evenly coated.
03 - Arrange seasoned chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking basket halfway through cooking, until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Toss broccoli florets with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl.
05 - Place broccoli in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, shaking halfway through, until tender with slight crisp edges.
06 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and vinegar. Bring to a simmer, then stir in cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened.
07 - Add cooked chicken bites to the saucepan and toss thoroughly to coat with honey garlic sauce.
08 - Plate air-fried broccoli as the base, top with honey garlic chicken bites, and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Thirty minutes from hungry to satisfied without feeling like you compromised on flavor or nutrition.
  • The honey garlic glaze strikes that impossible balance between sweet and savory that keeps you reaching for one more bite.
  • Air frying actually makes the chicken juicy and gives broccoli a texture you can't get any other way.
  • Completely dairy-free but tastes indulgent enough that nobody will notice or care.
02 -
  • The cornstarch slurry is not optional—it's what transforms a thin, runny glaze into something that actually clings to the chicken and makes every bite taste intentional.
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or you'll steam the chicken instead of crisping it; work in batches if you need to, and your results will improve dramatically.
  • Fresh minced garlic makes an enormous difference compared to pre-minced; the flavor is brighter and less metallic.
03 -
  • Buy chicken that's fresh and hasn't been previously frozen, and cut it yourself instead of buying pre-cut chunks—the difference in texture and juiciness is real and worth the five extra minutes.
  • The honey garlic sauce can be made up to two days ahead and stored in the fridge; just gently reheat it in a saucepan before tossing with the cooked chicken.
  • Don't let the soy sauce dominate—if your sauce tastes too salty before you add the chicken, add a touch more honey or vinegar to rebalance it.
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