Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

Crave quick, flavorful weeknight dinners that everyone will love? Meet your new go-to: this incredible Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken recipe! It delivers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors with minimal effort. Using your air fryer makes this dish incredibly easy and super fast, perfect for busy evenings. You’ll learn how to create juicy, tender chicken with a beautiful glazed finish in no time, simplifying your cooking routine.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

You will adore this Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken for so many fantastic reasons, making it an instant family favorite.

• It is a fast, incredibly convenient weeknight meal, perfect for busy parents and beginners looking for quick solutions.
• Enjoy minimal cleanup thanks to the efficient nature of your air fryer, saving you precious time after dinner.
• Each bite offers a deliciously crispy exterior texture with a wonderfully juicy and tender interior, a true culinary delight.
• This recipe is incredibly versatile and excellent for weekly meal prep, providing healthy and tasty options for days.
• The classic sweet and savory teriyaki flavors are always a family favorite, ensuring smiles all around the table.

Ingredients

Crafting absolutely delicious Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken starts with fresh, quality ingredients. You likely have many of these essential pantry staples already on hand, making this recipe incredibly accessible for a quick meal.

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup shoyu (Japanese soy sauce)
• 1/3 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)
• 1/3 cup sake (Japanese cooking wine)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 inch fresh ginger, sliced or grated
• 3 Maika’i Garlic Cloves, finely minced
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons water
• Non-stick cooking spray

Notes & Substitutions

Feel free to customize your perfectly cooked teriyaki chicken with these easy and convenient swaps.

• Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breast, tenders, or wings. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
• Shoyu: Regular soy sauce works perfectly as a substitute for shoyu.
• Mirin/Sake: Dry sherry or chicken broth with a pinch of sugar can replace these Japanese wines.
• Ginger/Garlic: Use 1/2 teaspoon of ginger powder and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if fresh is not available.
• Sweetener: Honey or maple syrup are great natural alternatives to sugar.
• Cornstarch: All-purpose flour can thicken your glaze just as effectively.

Equipment

You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this quick and delicious air fried teriyaki chicken. Gathering them before you start cooking will ensure a smooth and efficient process.

• Air fryer (basket or oven style)
• Large mixing bowl
• Small saucepan
• Whisk
• Tongs or spatula
• Instant-read meat thermometer

Instructions

Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions to create the absolute best Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken. Making this incredibly flavorful dish is easy, even for beginners!

1. Prepare Marinade: To a medium bowl, combine shoyu, mirin, sake, sugar, ginger, and garlic. Mix until well combined. This mixture forms the foundational base for your rich teriyaki chicken marinade.
2. Reserve Glaze Base: Pour and set aside ¼ to ½ cup of the freshly made teriyaki sauce into another small container. You will use this reserved portion later to craft your luscious, glossy glaze.
3. Marinate Chicken: Add the cubed chicken to the remaining teriyaki sauce in the bowl. Ensure all pieces are coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken for at least 2 hours. For the deepest, most irresistible flavor penetration for your Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken, marinate it overnight.
4. Preheat Air Fryer: Once the chicken has marinated sufficiently, preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Proper preheating is crucial for achieving even cooking and that desirable crispy exterior.
5. Make Glaze: While the air fryer preheats, begin preparing the rich and flavorful teriyaki glaze. Add the reserved teriyaki sauce to a small saucepan and place it over medium heat.
6. Create Slurry: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until thoroughly smooth. This creates the essential “slurry” that will effectively thicken your glaze.
7. Thicken Glaze: Pour the cornstarch slurry into the hot marinade in the saucepan. Stir continuously with a whisk until the sauce heats through and thickens to your desired, beautiful consistency.
8. Load Air Fryer: Lightly spray your air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the marinated chicken cubes in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if necessary for optimal results with your air fryer teriyaki chicken.
9. Initial Cook: Cook the chicken in the preheated air fryer for an initial 6 minutes. This crucial cooking step helps to perfectly seal in the flavorful juices.
10. Flip and Glaze: After 6 minutes, carefully flip each piece of chicken using tongs. Then, generously brush the thickened teriyaki glaze over all sides of the chicken, ensuring an even coating.
11. Final Cook: Continue to air fry the chicken for another 5-6 minutes. During this stage, the chicken will develop a beautiful, caramelized, and sticky glaze.
12. Check Doneness: Always verify the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat by checking its internal temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer. It must reach at least 165°F (74°C).
13. Rest & Serve: Allow the perfectly cooked chicken to cool slightly for a minute or two before serving. Then, proudly enjoy your homemade Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken!

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Achieve the best Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken results every single time by following these expert tips and tricks.

• Don’t Overcrowd: Cook chicken in batches if needed. Overcrowding prevents proper air circulation, leading to steaming instead of the desired crisping.
• Marinate Longer: For maximum, deep flavor, always marinate your chicken overnight. This allows the delicious teriyaki sauce to deeply penetrate every piece of meat.
• Check Temperature: Always use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Adjust Glaze: If your glaze is too thick, simply add a tiny bit of water. If too thin, mix a bit more cornstarch slurry to thicken it.
• Pat Chicken Dry: Before marinating, thoroughly pat your chicken pieces dry. This helps the marinade adhere better and promotes superior browning in the air fryer.
• Prevent Sticking: Lightly spray your air fryer basket with non-stick spray before adding chicken. This ensures easy flipping and prevents any pieces from sticking.

Serving Suggestions, Storage, and Variations

Elevate your Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken experience even further with these versatile serving ideas, smart storage tips, and exciting variations.

• Serving Suggestions: Pair this delicious chicken with fluffy steamed rice, tender steamed broccoli, crisp stir-fried vegetables, or a tangle of quick noodles for a truly complete and satisfying meal.
• Storage: Store any leftover teriyaki chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It makes for excellent, flavorful next-day lunches!
• Reheating: Reheat your chicken in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through, perfectly restoring its lovely texture.
• Variations:
  • Spicy Teriyaki: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha directly to your marinade or glaze for a fantastic fiery kick.
  • Pineapple Twist: Incorporate a splash of pineapple juice into the marinade for a tropical note. You can also serve it with grilled pineapple slices.
  • Sesame Garnish: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds generously over the finished dish for added crunch, aroma, and flavor.
  • Veggie Skewers: Thread colorful bell peppers and onions onto small skewers and cook them alongside the chicken for a vibrant, healthy addition.

Nutrition Information

Here is the estimated nutrition information for one serving of this flavorful Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken. Please remember that these values are only estimates and can vary significantly based on the specific ingredient brands you use, preparation methods, and exact serving sizes. This table offers a helpful guide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Get quick, helpful answers to common questions about preparing and enjoying your delicious Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken.

• Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer? Yes, absolutely! You can safely cook raw chicken directly in an air fryer until its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
• Is teriyaki marinade the same as teriyaki sauce? They share many similar base ingredients. A marinade is designed for pre-flavoring and tenderizing the meat, while a sauce is typically thicker and specifically used for glazing or dipping after cooking.
• Can I skip the sake in the recipe? You can definitely skip the sake if you prefer, or substitute it with an equal amount of chicken broth or water. The alcohol cooks off during the process anyway.
• How long should I marinate the chicken? Marinate for at least 2 hours to impart a good flavor. For the deepest, most delicious results, marinate your chicken overnight in the refrigerator.
• How do I get crispy air fryer teriyaki chicken? To achieve that desired crispy texture, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in a single layer and remember to flip it halfway through cooking for even crisping.

Conclusion

You now possess the ultimate guide to creating mouthwatering Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken right in your own kitchen. This recipe is incredibly easy to follow, exceptionally flavorful, and presents a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried options. Embrace the simplicity and speed of your air fryer for a fantastic weeknight meal everyone will genuinely rave about. We encourage you to try this versatile dish tonight! Please rate this recipe and share your delicious creations with us.