weeknight · Easy
Air-Fryer Gochujang Chicken Thighs
The air fryer handles the crisping while a quick gochujang glaze brings the heat, sweetness, and shine. Keep an eye on the final glaze: sugar gets dark ideas when left unattended.
Major allergens listed: Wheat, Soy, Sesame
Based on the authored ingredients. Check packaged ingredient labels and cross-contact information if allergies matter.
Instructions
- Season the chicken. Over 3 to 5 minutes, pat the chicken dry, including the skin, then rub with the salt, pepper, and neutral oil. Dry skin is not glamorous, but it is the difference between crisp and merely optimistic.
- Mix the glaze. Over 2 to 3 minutes, stir together the gochujang, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and garlic in a small bowl until smooth.
- Air-fry until nearly done. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F if it requires preheating. Arrange the chicken skin-side down in a single layer, leaving space between pieces. Air-fry for 10 minutes, then turn skin-side up and cook for 7 to 9 minutes more.
- Glaze and finish. Brush the chicken generously with the glaze, then air-fry for 3 to 4 minutes more, until the glaze is tacky and the thickest part of each thigh reaches at least 165°F without touching bone. If needed, cook in 1- to 2-minute increments until safe. Discard any glaze left after brushing cooked chicken.
- Rest and serve. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions before serving.
Air-fryer capacity
Cook in batches if the thighs cannot sit in one uncrowded layer. Overlapping chicken steams, which is useful only if disappointment is on the menu.
Safe handling
Use a clean brush for the glaze, and verify 165°F in the thickest portion of each thigh, avoiding the bone.
Boneless thighs
Use 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Air-fry at 380°F for about 12 to 15 minutes total, glazing during the final 3 minutes, and confirm 165°F.
Milder glaze
Use 2 tablespoons gochujang and add 1 tablespoon water to loosen the glaze if needed.
Keep cooking
You might also like
Dinner
Gochujang Turkey Rice Bowls
Fast Korean-style turkey bowls with spicy-sweet gochujang sauce and a proper browned edge.
Dinner
Black Pepper Beef and Peppers
A fast Chinese-style beef stir-fry with plenty of black pepper, sweet peppers, and a glossy savory sauce.
Dinner
German Mustard Pork Cutlets
Crisp-edged pork cutlets with a quick creamy mustard pan sauce for a practical weeknight meal.
Cooked it?
Ratings & reviews
Loading ratings…
Loading reviews…