Sticky Honey Garlic Air Fryer Chicken Skewers

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 44 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken thighs (or use tenders or breasts cut into 2-inch pieces); 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 2 tablespoons olive oil (or neutral oil); 2 tablespoons honey; 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated); 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 teaspoon sriracha ((optional, for heat)); ¼ cup soy sauce; 3 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon ginger (grated); 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1 teaspoon cornstarch (mixed with 1 tablespoon water, slurry); 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 1 tablespoon sesame seeds; 2 green onions (thinly sliced)

These Asian-style air fryer chicken skewers are coated in a savory soy-garlic marinade and finished with a sticky honey sesame glaze. Sweet, salty, slightly spicy, and perfectly caramelized. I love how easy they are to make and customize!

Jump to Recipe

A black plate with air fryer chicken skewers on white rice, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, with sliced cucumbers on the side.

Why This Recipe Works

These Asian-Style Air Fryer Chicken Skewers are juicy, sticky, and packed with sweet-savory flavor. Here’s why I love them:

Sticky Honey Garlic Glaze: The glossy honey soy glaze caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer, creating that irresistible sweet, salty, slightly spicy coating. It’s bold, balanced, and packed with flavor.
Juicy, Tender Chicken: Using chicken thighs keeps the skewers extra moist and flavorful. The soy-garlic marinade soaks deep into every piece. It’s that same crave-worthy flavor combo I love in these Baked Chicken Kabobs.
Quick Air Fryer Method: These chicken skewers cook in about 12–14 minutes with minimal cleanup. The air fryer gives you caramelized edges without firing up the grill.
Perfect for Meal Prep or Entertaining: Make them ahead, reheat easily, and serve with rice, salad, or lettuce wraps. They’re great for weeknight dinners or party platters, like these Greek Chicken Kabobs with Lemon Garlic Marinade.
Better Than Takeout: With fresh garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and hoisin, these skewers taste restaurant-quality but are easy to make at home.

Air fried chicken skewers coated in a glossy sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, arranged on a light wooden surface.

If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. I ❤️ hearing from you!

Raw chicken pieces in a bowl surrounded by small bowls of various sauces, seasonings, chopped garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, green onions, skewers, and a bottle of oil on a marble surface.

Ingredients

Chicken Thighs – Boneless, skinless thighs stay juicy and tender in the air fryer. You can also use chicken breasts or tenders cut into 2-inch pieces if you prefer leaner meat.
Soy Sauce – Adds savory depth and umami flavor to both the marinade and glaze. Low-sodium soy sauce works well if you want to reduce salt.
Sesame Oil – Brings a nutty aroma and rich flavor that ties the marinade and glaze together. A small amount goes a long way.
Honey – Sweetens the marinade and glaze while helping the chicken caramelize beautifully in the air fryer. Maple syrup can be used as a substitute.
Garlic – Freshly minced garlic adds bold, aromatic flavor. It’s used in both the marinade and glaze for extra depth.
Fresh Ginger – Adds warmth and a subtle spice that balances the sweetness of the honey. Fresh is best, but ground ginger can work in a pinch.
Rice Vinegar – Brings a light tang that brightens the marinade and balances the sweet and salty notes. Apple cider vinegar is a good substitute.
Sriracha – Optional for a touch of heat. You can skip it or use chili flakes or your favorite hot sauce instead.
Hoisin Sauce – Adds a sweet and savory richness to the glaze. If you don’t have hoisin, mix soy sauce with a bit of brown sugar as a quick alternative.
Cornstarch Slurry – Thickens the glaze so it clings to the chicken. Mix cornstarch with water before adding it to prevent lumps.

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

Instructions

A white bowl containing a mixture of soy sauce, chopped garlic, brown sugar, and other ingredients sits on a marble surface next to a metal whisk.

A white bowl filled with raw chicken pieces marinating in a brown sauce sits on a white marble surface.

Soak and make marinade: Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, honey, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, and sriracha.
Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours for deeper flavor.

A small saucepan filled with a dark liquid and visible red pepper flakes sits on a light marble surface.

A small saucepan filled with a dark, chunky sauce sits on a marble countertop.

Prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Thicken the glaze: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened and glossy. Remove from heat and divide the glaze in half, reserving one portion for finishing.

Raw marinated chicken pieces skewered on wooden sticks, arranged in a white rectangular dish on a marble surface.

Raw chicken pieces on wooden skewers placed inside an air fryer basket on a marble countertop.

Thread onto skewers: Tightly thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers, pressing them close together.
Air fry the skewers: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange skewers in a single layer in the basket and cook for 5 minutes.

A hand brushes sauce onto chicken skewers in an air fryer basket, with a small bowl of sauce placed nearby on a marble countertop.

Three pieces of grilled meat on skewers cooking in an air fryer basket, with a bowl of sauce and a brush on the side.

Flip and baste: Flip the skewers, brush with glaze, and cook another 4–5 minutes. Flip again, baste once more, and cook 2–3 minutes longer, until the chicken reaches 165°F.
Finish and serve: Brush with the reserved glaze, sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve warm with rice, salad, or lettuce wraps.

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

Three skewers of glazed, grilled chicken cooking inside an air fryer basket, showing a caramelized and slightly charred surface.

Substitutions & Variations

Here are some of my favorite substitutions and variations:

Protein Options: I usually use chicken thighs for extra juiciness, but chicken breasts or tenders work great too. You can also try shrimp, pork, or even tofu for a lighter version.
Veggie Add-Ons: Thread bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, or pineapple chunks between the chicken pieces. They caramelize nicely in the air fryer and add color and texture.

Wooden platter with air fryer chicken skewers glazed in sauce, garnished with green onions; surrounded by bowls of cucumber salad, rice, sesame seeds, and extra green onions on marble surface.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Skewers

Side Dishes

These flavorful skewers pair perfectly with something fresh and light. We love serving them alongside the crisp, tangy Asian Cucumber Salad for a refreshing contrast.
For a heartier meal, try them over a bowl of Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice to soak up that sticky glaze. They’re also great with Air Fryer Artichoke Hearts with Garlic Aioli for an easy, shareable side.

Other Starters

If you’re planning a casual dinner or game-day spread, these skewers go great with crispy bites like Air Fryer Potato Wedges.
They also pair nicely with Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings for a fun mix of flavors and textures everyone will love.

A black plate with grilled chicken skewers on white rice, sliced cucumbers, and a fork, set on a marble surface next to a pink napkin.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breasts work well too. Just be careful not to overcook them since they can dry out faster than thighs. Cut them into even pieces so they cook evenly in the air fryer.

Do I need to soak the wooden skewers?

Yes, soaking them for at least 30 minutes helps prevent burning while the skewers cook. If you use metal skewers, you can skip this step.

Can I make these without an air fryer?

You can. Bake the skewers on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 425°F for about 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway through and brushing with glaze. They’ll still come out juicy and flavorful.

Can I prepare them ahead of time?

Yes. You can marinate the chicken up to 8 hours in advance and make the glaze up to 2 days ahead. When ready to cook, just assemble the skewers and air fry as directed.

How long does it keep?

Store leftover skewers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–4 minutes until warmed through. You can also freeze the cooked chicken (removed from skewers) for up to 2 months.

Two air fryer chicken skewers glazed with sauce are served on white rice and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, with sliced cucumbers on the side.

More Recipes You’ll Enjoy

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Honey Soy Glaze – Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs with Honey Soy Glaze are packed with flavor and easy to make in the air fryer, oven, or on the grill.
Air Fryer Chicken Banh Mi – This refreshing Air Fryer Chicken Banh Mi is stuffed with marinated air fried chicken, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumbers, and mayonnaise.
Crispy Chicken Tacos (Air Fryer) – Crispy Chicken Tacos are anything but average! They’re an unforgettable snack made with a creamy chicken filling and air fried until crisp.
Easy Chicken Stir Fry – This easy chicken stir fry is a quick weeknight meal bursting with flavor! Chicken, veggies, and stir-fry sauce create a mouthwatering combo.

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!

Three black plates with white rice, grilled meat skewers, and sliced cucumbers. Small bowls of sesame seeds and chopped green onions are nearby on a marble surface.

Air Fryer Chicken Skewers

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Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 14

Total Time: 44

Servings: servings

Author: Lena Gladstone

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These Asian-style air fryer chicken skewers are coated in a savory soy-garlic marinade and finished with a sticky honey sesame glaze. Sweet, salty, slightly spicy, and perfectly caramelized. I love how easy they are to make and customize!

Equipment

wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

2 pounds chicken thighs, or use tenders or breasts cut into 2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons olive oil, or neutral oil
2 tablespoons honey
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sriracha, (optional, for heat)

For the Sticky Honey Garlic Glaze:

¼ cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ginger, grated
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch, mixed with 1 tablespoon water, slurry
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

For the Garnish:

1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before assembling the chicken.
In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, honey, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, and sriracha, then add the chicken pieces and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours for deeper flavor.
Thread the marinated chicken tightly onto the soaked skewers, pressing the pieces close together.
To make the glaze, combine the soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until thickened and glossy, then remove from the heat and divide the glaze in half, reserving one portion for finishing and one for basting.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and arrange 3 to 4 skewers in a single layer in the basket without overcrowding.
Cook for 5 minutes, then flip the skewers, brush with glaze, and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes. Flip once more, baste again, and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Remove the skewers from the air fryer and immediately brush with the reserved glaze.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, then serve warm with jasmine rice, cucumber salad, or in lettuce wraps.

Notes

Cut the chicken into even 2-inch pieces so everything cooks at the same rate.
Use chicken thighs for the juiciest results, but breasts or tenders work if you prefer leaner meat.
Soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes to keep them from burning in the air fryer.
Preheat the air fryer before cooking to help the chicken sear and caramelize evenly.
Don’t overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches so the skewers crisp up instead of steaming.
Baste with glaze more than once during cooking for a glossy, flavorful coating.
Let the skewers rest for a few minutes before serving to keep the juices inside.
Make the glaze ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently before using.
Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–4 minutes to bring back their crisp edges.
Finish with sesame seeds and green onions for a fresh, crunchy touch.