For a simple, homemade take on flavorful chicken, air fryer teriyaki chicken is definitely a recipe you should try!
Made with tender chicken pieces that are coated in a flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce, it’s a versatile dish that makes for a quick dinner idea any day of the week!
Serve this air fryer teriyaki chicken with rice or noodles, and your favorite veggies for a satisfying and delicious dinner!
Ingredients
Here are the teriyaki chicken ingredients that you will need. It’s really not too much – just the chicken thighs and a few ingredients to make the delicious teriyaki sauce!
- Chicken Thighs – Boneless, skinless. Between 4-6 thighs, depending on their size.
- Grated ginger – Adds a hint of spice and extra flavor. Use fresh ginger for the best flavor.
- Cornstarch – Helps thicken the teriyaki sauce.
- Soy sauce – Opt for a lower sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness.
- Apple cider vinegar – Adds a tangy and slightly sweet taste. Not a traditional teriyaki sauce ingredient, but typically readily available. Use mirin and sake for a truly authentic flavor.
- Brown sugar – To sweeten the teriyaki sauce and help caramelize the chicken.
- Pepper – Adds a subtle hint of spice.
- Salt – For extra flavor. Adjust the amount of salt to taste.
- Olive oil – To brush onto the air fryer tray to prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Sesame seeds and green onion – Optional; for serving.
Recipe Tips
Before you make this irresistible air fryer teriyaki chicken thighs recipe, read through these tips so that you know everything there is to know before you dive in:
- Instead of making your own teriyaki sauce, you can also use store-bought sauce. If you have the time, we would recommend making your own sauce though.
- Be sure to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Use a fine grater to grate the ginger.
- We recommend using lower-sodium soy sauce to make it easier to control the saltiness of the sauce. If the soy sauce you use is quite salty, feel free to reduce or omit any extra salt you add.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer as this can prevent the chicken from cooking and crisping evenly. If necessary, cook in batches.
- The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. But try not to overcook the chicken as this can dry it out.
Step by Step Instructions
In this section of the post, we’ll show you exactly how to make air fryer chicken teriyaki.
We’ve included the recipe process photos as visuals so you can follow along and track your progress as you cook!
The recipe card with all the information is located at the bottom of this post – as always!
Start by cutting the chicken thighs into even, bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl.
In a small saucepan, whisk together the soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, grated ginger, salt, and pepper in a saucepan.
Dissolve the cornstarch in about 2 tablespoons of water and add it, too.
Cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until the sugar melts and the sauce thickens.
Take it off the heat and let it cool slightly for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or until it indicates that it is preheated.
Reserve 3 tablespoons of the sauce and pour the rest into the bowl with the chicken. Toss well to coat each piece of chicken with the sauce.
Brush (or spray) the air fryer basket with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.
Then arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
Air fry the teriyaki chicken at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
Then flip and cook for another 8 minutes or until cooked through and golden. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces and your air fryer.
Transfer the chicken pieces to a serving dish and drizzle with the rest of the teriyaki sauce.
You can garnish the chicken with sesame seeds and chopped green onion (optional) before serving. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
After you’ve made this air-fried teriyaki chicken, you can store any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat chicken teriyaki, you can place it back in the air fryer and heat it at a lower temperature – such as 280 degrees Fahrenheit – for just a few minutes until heated through.
What to Serve Teriyaki Chicken With
These teriyaki chicken bites are a versatile dish that can be eaten on their own, but they are best served with a side dish.
We’d recommend rice, rice noodles, or egg noodles as well as stir-fried, roasted, or air-fried vegetables. Broccoli, carrots, and/or bell peppers are all good options.
You can also use these chicken pieces as a topping for a delicious salad – the options are endless!
FAQ
Here’s an answer to a frequently asked question about making this chicken teriyaki:
Combine the sauce ingredients and heat on the stove. Once thickened, let it cool then combine with the cut-up chicken thighs. Save some teriyaki sauce. Mix well, then air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. Flip and continue to air fry for another 8 minutes or until cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken, top with the remaining sauce, and serve!
Related Recipes
For more great air fryer chicken recipes, here are some classics that you might want to try out next!
- Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs
- Chicken Fajitas in the Air Fryer
- Crispy Air Fried Chicken Thighs
- Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/3 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/3 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for serving (optional)
- green onion, chopped, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cut the chicken thighs into even, bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl.4 chicken thighs
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, grated ginger, salt, and pepper in a saucepan. Dissolve the cornstarch in about 2 tablespoons of water and add to the sauce.1 tablespoon ginger, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/3 teaspoon black pepper, 1/3 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until the sugar melts and the sauce thickens. Take it off the heat and let it cool slightly for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or until it indicates that it is preheated.
- Reserve 3 tablespoons of the sauce and pour the rest into the bowl with the chicken. Toss well to coat each piece of chicken with the sauce.
- Brush (or spray) the air fryer basket with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. Then arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Air fry the teriyaki chicken at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 8 minutes or until cooked through and slightly crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces and your air fryer.
- Transfer the chicken pieces to a serving bowl, drizzle with the rest of the teriyaki sauce, and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onion (optional).1 tablespoon sesame seeds, green onion
Notes
- If the chicken thighs are on the smaller end, you can use up to 6 thighs.
- Instead of making your own teriyaki sauce, you can also use store-bought sauce.
- We recommend using lower-sodium soy sauce to make it easier to control the saltiness of the sauce.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce for at least 30 minutes before cooking (optional).
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer as this can prevent the chicken from cooking and crisping evenly.
- The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit. But try not to overcook the chicken as this can dry it out.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
