Air-Fried Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with Steamed Rice
Tender chicken bites coated in a sticky honey garlic glaze, cooked quickly in the air fryer and served alongside fluffy steamed rice for a kid-pleasing meal. This asian fusion-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken breast boneless skinless, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast boneless skinless
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup rice jasmine, uncooked
- 1 1/4 cups water
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rinsed rice and 1 1/4 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb chicken breast cubes with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Mix 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and 2 tbsp cornstarch in a shallow dish.
- Step 3: Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour-cornstarch mixture until evenly coated.
- Step 4: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Arrange chicken cubes in a single layer in the basket and spray with 1 tbsp olive oil. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway, until chicken is golden and cooked through.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened and fragrant.
- Step 6: Toss cooked chicken bites in the honey garlic sauce until fully coated. Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Air-Fried Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with Steamed Rice take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Air-Fried Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with Steamed Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Air-Fried Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with Steamed Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Air-Fried Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with Steamed Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Air-Fried Honey Garlic Chicken Bites with Steamed Rice?
Asian Fusion chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
