You know those nights when you’re absolutely wiped, the fridge looks sad, and the thought of cooking feels like climbing Mount Everest? Yeah, I live for those nights! And let me tell you, my Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken recipe has literally saved my dinner plans more times than I can count. It’s just so darn easy and, oh my goodness, the FLAVOR! Forget takeout menus; this one’s a weeknight warrior that gets me delicious, juicy teriyaki chicken on the table in under 30 minutes. Seriously, my kids were practically doing a happy dance the first time I made it – and clean-up? A breeze! It’s become our go-to for a reason.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
Super Speedy: Seriously, from start to finish, you’re looking at less than 30 minutes. Perfect for those crazy weeknights!
Incredibly Easy: Minimal prep, one bowl for marinating, and the air fryer does all the heavy lifting. What’s not to love?
Packed with Flavor: That sweet and savory teriyaki glaze gets perfectly caramelized in the air fryer, making every bite taste amazing.
Juicy & Tender: We’re using chicken thighs here, which are just *made* for juicy, tender results every single time.
Ingredients for Perfect Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
Alright, gathering your ingredients is like getting your band members ready for a show – everyone needs to be present and accounted for! For this amazing Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken, you’ll need:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into nice, bite-sized 1-inch pieces. Trust me, thighs are the secret to juicy chicken here!
- 1/2 cup good quality teriyaki sauce. Seriously, don’t skimp here; a good sauce makes all the difference!
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce, for that extra umami punch.
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger. It adds this wonderful zing; you can totally use the stuff in a jar in a pinch, but fresh is *chef’s kiss*.
- 1 clove garlic, minced. Same goes for the garlic – fresh is great!
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil, for that classic Asian flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, just a little something to wake things up.
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional). They look so pretty!
- Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional). Adds a nice pop of color and fresh oniony bite.
Essential Equipment for Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
To whip up this fantastic Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken, you really don’t need much! Of course, your trusty air fryer is the star of the show. You’ll also want a good mixing bowl, measuring cups and spoons, and a knife and cutting board for prepping the chicken.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
Okay, let’s get this deliciousness going! Making this Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken is pretty straightforward, honestly. It’s all about getting that flavor locked in and then letting the magic happen in the air fryer. My secret? Don’t rush the marinating, and please, PLEASE, don’t cram too much chicken in there at once! Air needs to circulate, remember? This whole process is almost as easy as my Garlic Butter Chicken and Potatoes Skillet, which is saying a lot! Check out my recipe for Black Pepper Chicken if you want another quick and tasty chicken dish!
Marinating Your Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
First things first, we gotta get this chicken singing with flavor. Grab a bowl – any bowl will do! – and whisk together that teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, the fresh ginger (yum!), minced garlic, that little bit of sesame oil, and a pinch of black pepper. Now, toss your chicken pieces right in there. Make sure every single piece is coated, like they’re all going to a fancy party. Pop this in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. If you have more time, let it go up to 2 hours – the longer it marinates, the more flavor it soaks up, and the more tender it gets!
Air Frying the Teriyaki Chicken
Alright, drumroll please! Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, carefully arrange your marinated chicken in the air fryer basket. Lay it out in a single layer, no piles! If your basket is on the smaller side, just cook it in two batches – it’s totally worth it so the chicken gets nice and browned instead of steamed. Pop the basket in and air fry for about 10 to 12 minutes. Give it a flip halfway through to make sure both sides get that lovely caramelization. Oh! And a little tip from me: I always like to use a meat thermometer to double-check. You want the internal temperature to hit 165°F (74°C) to be perfectly cooked and super safe.
Garnishing Your Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
Once that chicken is looking golden and delicious, carefully remove it from the air fryer. Now for the fun part – the garnish! Sprinkle on those sesame seeds and chopped green onions if you’re using them. It just makes the whole dish look extra special and tastes great too!
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
Want to make your Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken absolute perfection? I’ve got a few tried-and-true tricks that really make a difference. Here are my top tips to ensure your chicken is juicy, flavorful, and just downright delicious!
First off, please use chicken thighs! I know I mentioned it, but it’s worth repeating. Chicken breasts can dry out way too easily in the air fryer. Thighs stay unbelievably tender and juicy, even if you accidentally cook them a minute or two too long. For another awesome juicy chicken recipe, you’ve got to check out my Coconut Lime Chicken!
Don’t overcrowd that air fryer basket! Seriously, this is key to getting that gorgeous caramelization. If you cram too much chicken in, it’ll steam instead of fry, and nobody wants steamed teriyaki chicken, right? Cook in batches if you need to. It takes an extra few minutes, but the result is so worth it.
Want extra crispy bits? Give the chicken a *very* light spray of cooking oil before it goes into the air fryer. It helps get those lovely golden-brown edges. Oh, and if you’re feeling adventurous, play with your teriyaki sauce! Sometimes I’ll add a touch of honey or a splash of rice vinegar to the marinade for a little twist. You might also like my Nutritious Chicken Broccoli Nuggets for another picky-eater-approved dish!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
You know, sometimes you just don’t have everything on hand, and that’s totally okay! For our Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken, the star is definitely the teriyaki sauce. Use a good quality store-bought one – it really makes a difference, but if you’re feeling *super* ambitious, you can totally make your own! For the ginger and garlic, fresh is amazing, but in a pinch, you can use about half a teaspoon of garlic powder and a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger. Just don’t overcrowd that air fryer basket, remember?
Now, about the chicken: I’m a huge fan of thighs for this because they stay so miraculously moist. But if chicken breasts are what you have, go for it! Just watch them closely, maybe pull them out a minute or two earlier, especially if they’re thick. They can dry out faster, so that thermometer check is extra important with breasts. For more tasty chicken ideas, I’ve got that White Cheddar and Spinach Chicken Burger that’s a big hit, and my decadent Marry Me Chicken recipe!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
This yummy Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken is fantastic on its own, but it’s even better with some delicious sides! I love serving it over a fluffy bed of Greek Lemon Rice – the brightness is just perfect with the teriyaki. Another go-to for me is some simple Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes for a heartier meal. Or, just steam up some broccoli or snap peas and drizzle a little extra teriyaki sauce over it all. Easy peasy!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any extra Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Honestly, it’s still pretty tasty the next day! To reheat, just pop it back into the air fryer at around 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through. I find this keeps it from getting mushy, unlike microwaving. You can also give it a quick toss in a skillet if you prefer!
Frequently Asked Questions about Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
Got questions about whipping up this yummy Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken? I get it! It’s always good to know the little details. Here are a few things people often ask:
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Oh, you absolutely can! Chicken breast works in a pinch. Just know that thighs are naturally more forgiving and stay juicier. If you use breasts, keep an eye on them – they cook a bit faster and can dry out. Maybe pull them out a minute or two sooner than the recipe says, and definitely use a meat thermometer to make sure they hit that 165°F (74°C) mark. They won’t be quite as tender, but they’ll still be delicious!
How long does it really take to cook?
Great question! I estimate the total time to be around 27 minutes, but that includes the marinating. Preheating the air fryer takes about 3-5 minutes, and the actual cooking is about 10-12 minutes. So, if you marinate for at least 15 minutes, you’re looking at roughly 25-30 minutes from start to enjoying your amazing Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken. Super fast, right?
Can I make my own teriyaki sauce?
Yes, you totally can! If you’re feeling extra ambitious or want to control the ingredients, homemade teriyaki sauce is fantastic. You can whip one up with soy sauce, mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine), sake, sugar, and a bit of ginger. There are tons of great recipes online if you want to give it a try. It’s a little more effort, but it’s really rewarding!
Why shouldn’t I overcrowd the air fryer basket?
This is a big one for getting that perfect crispy edge! If you cram too many chicken pieces into the basket, they end up steaming instead of frying. They won’t get that nice caramelized exterior that makes teriyaki chicken so irresistible. You *need* air to circulate around each piece. It’s way better to cook in two smaller batches than to have one giant, soggy pile. Trust me on this one!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this amazing Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken is an estimate, and it can totally change depending on your teriyaki sauce and how much you eat! But generally, you’re looking at around 250 calories, 22g of protein, 18g of carbs, and 10g of fat per serving. If you’re tracking your protein, this is a great way to get those numbers up! You can find more high-protein meal ideas here!
Share Your Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Creations!
I absolutely LOVE seeing what you guys cook up! If you made this incredible Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken, please, please share your photos and let me know how it turned out in the comments below. Tag me on social media too – seeing your kitchen successes makes my day! You can always reach out via my contact page if you have any questions, or just want to rave about it (I love raving!). Want to know more about me? Check out my About Me page!
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Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple recipe for teriyaki chicken cooked in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and black pepper.
- Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss to coat evenly with the marinade. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.
- Remove from the air fryer. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.
Notes
- For crispier chicken, you can lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray before air frying.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer model and the thickness of the chicken pieces.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 ounces
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: air fryer, teriyaki chicken, chicken recipe, easy dinner, asian chicken