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20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

Recipe by Karim Saad on InstagramAdded 30 October 2026.

10 minutes to prep, 14 to cook. A quick, flavorful chicken dish coated in a sweet‑and‑spicy honey garlic glaze, finished crisp in the air fryer. The sauce adds a glossy, savory bite, while the garnish of green onions and sesame seeds brings fresh crunch. Perfect for a fast weeknight dinner.

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20-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken by Karim Saad, a frame from the Instagram video

Method

  1. Cut the boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1‑inch pieces.

  2. Season the cut chicken pieces with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper using a dry spice blend.

  3. Mix the seasoning into the chicken pieces by hand until evenly coated.

  4. Spray avocado oil onto the seasoned chicken pieces in the air‑fryer basket.

  5. Air fry the chicken at 400°F for 12‑14 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

  6. While the chicken cooks, prepare the honey garlic sauce: pour honey into a stainless‑steel pan, add water, and add the cornstarch (white powder).

  7. Whisk the mixture vigorously, then stir in low‑sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes until smooth and thickened.

  8. When the chicken is done, toss it with half of the sauce, reserving the remaining sauce for serving.

  9. Serve the coated chicken over cooked jasmine rice, drizzle the remaining sauce over the top, and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Tips while you cook

Pre‑spray for crispness
Lightly spray avocado oil onto the seasoned chicken before air frying.
Even coating before cooking
Mix the dry spice blend into the chicken pieces by hand until fully coated.
Reserve sauce for serving
Toss the cooked chicken with half the sauce and keep the remaining sauce for drizzling at the table.
Thicken sauce before adding to chicken
Whisk honey, water, and cornstarch vigorously until smooth, then add remaining ingredients and thicken before tossing.

Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.

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The recipe comes from Karim Saad’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.

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Honey garlic chicken, 6 ways

Six creators posted their own. Every one is built on chicken and honey.

  1. WokThisWay30 min19 ingr.Only this one uses ginger, red bell pepper and carrots
  2. tim laielli35 min10 ingr.Only this one uses butter
  3. Sheila Williams28 min7 ingr.Only this one uses garlic herb seasoning and japanese bbq sauce
  4. ayeshafoodartistry35 min19 ingr.Only this one uses vinegar, maida and egg
  5. Karim Saad24 min17 ingr.Only this one uses avocado oil spray, low-sodium soy sauce and sesame oil
  6. iRick Wiggins30 min7 ingr.Only this one uses chili crisp oil
Compare all 6 side by side

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