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Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

EASY7 INGREDIENTS6STEP40 MIN·
Posted: 03/06/2025
Thea
BY Thea
Posted: 03/06/2025

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Air fryer teriyaki chicken perfectly combines traditional Japanese cuisine with modern cooking. It is not only healthy and low in fat but also easily recreates restaurant-level deliciousness. Let's learn how to make this innovative dish.

2-3
SERVINGS
7
INGREDIENTS
6
STEP
40 min
TOTAL TIME

What is air fryer teriyaki chicken?

Air fryer teriyaki chicken is a dish made with chicken cooked in an air fryer, featuring a marinade of teriyaki sauce, giving it a sweet and salty flavor.

It is then cooked in the air fryer, making the outside crispy while keeping the inside tender.

Unlike traditional frying or baking methods, cooking with an air fryer doesn't require a lot of oil, so the chicken is delicious without being greasy.

Why should you try this recipe?

Easy to make: Any level of cook can make this recipe.

Low oil: Cooking with an air fryer means no need for a lot of oil!

Gluten-free recipe: 100% gluten-free.

Meal prep friendly: Easy to store, perfect for meal prepping.

air fryer teriyaki chicken

Kitchen tools needed

Air fryer: The core tool for this dish, responsible for making the chicken crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Scissors: Used to remove the bones, making the process cleaner and smoother.

Bowl: A container for marinating the chicken and mixing the seasonings.

Gloves: If you don't want to get your hands full of marinade, wearing gloves to mix will be more convenient.

Aluminum foil: Placed at the bottom of the air fryer for easier cleaning and to help the chicken cook more evenly.

Brush: Used to apply marinade, ensuring the chicken gets coated on all sides.

Which part of the chicken is best to use?

Chicken thighs are the better choice. They are tender and juicy, making them perfect for marinading and roasting.

Compared to chicken breasts, chicken thighs have more fat, giving them a richer taste and making them better at absorbing the teriyaki sauce.

Additionally, the meat of chicken thighs doesn't dry out easily, so even when cooked in the air fryer, they stay moist and tender.

You can also use chicken wings if you prefer parts with a bit of crispy skin; wings are a great option too.

INGREDIENTS

Main Ingredients

  • ·
    3 chicken thighs (boneless)

Additional Ingredients

  • ·
    20g sliced garlic

Seasonings

  • ·
    15ml soy sauce
  • ·
    15ml dark soy sauce
  • ·
    10ml oyster sauce
  • ·
    10ml honey
  • ·
    3g salt

COOKING STEP

HIDE IMAGES

Step 1

Clean the 3 chicken thighs, use scissors to remove the bones, and cut into suitable pieces.

Debone & Cut Chicken

Step 2

Place the processed chicken into a bowl, add 20g sliced garlic, 15ml soy sauce, 15ml dark soy sauce, 10ml oyster sauce, 10ml honey, and 3g salt.

Season & Marinate

Step 3

Put on gloves and mix everything well by hand, then marinate for 20 minutes.

Mix Well by Hand

Step 4

Place aluminum foil in the air fryer, add the marinated chicken, spray a small amount of cooking oil, then set the air fryer to 180℃ and cook for 10 minutes.

Air Fry 10 Min

Step 5

Take the chicken out, flip it over, brush with the remaining marinade, then cook for another 10 minutes(180℃).

Flip & Brush Marinade

Step 6

Once the chicken is cooked, take it out, cut into small pieces, and get ready to eat.

Slice & Serve

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Tips and Precautions

Marinating time: When marinating the chicken, it's best to marinate for at least 20 minutes. The longer the marinating time, the more flavorful it will be. If you have time, marinating for over 1 hour is even better.

Remember to flip: During the cooking process, remember to flip the chicken and brush with the remaining marinade so that each side of the chicken is evenly colored and flavored.

Do not overcook: The air fryer temperature will make the chicken skin crispy, but if cooked too long, the chicken will become dry. Cook until the surface is slightly crispy and the inside is fully cooked.

Oil control: The air fryer itself will make the food crispy, so there's no need to use too much oil. A thin layer of cooking oil spray is enough to avoid greasiness.

Adjust the temperature: If you prefer crispier skin, you can slightly increase the temperature, but be careful not to burn it. 180°C is a good starting temperature.

Creative Variations

Add lemon: You can add some lemon juice or lemon zest to the marinade to give the teriyaki chicken a refreshing tangy flavor, making it more layered in taste.

Add spices: You can try adding some spices, like five-spice powder, rosemary, or thyme, to enhance different flavors and make the teriyaki chicken more interesting.

Honey variation: Use a mix of honey and maple syrup for the sauce, which will make the flavor sweeter, especially for those who like sweetness.

Add spice: If you like it spicy, you can add some chili powder or chili sauce to the marinade to create a sweet and spicy teriyaki chicken.

Vegetable pairing: In addition to the chicken, you can also add some carrot slices, onions, or bell peppers into the air fryer to cook, making the dish more nutritious and flavorful.

How to enjoy air fryer teriyaki chicken?

Pair with white rice: Prepare some short-grain white rice, which is a common side dish on Japanese tables. If you can't find short-grain rice, other rice can work, but short-grain rice is softer and stickier, which pairs very well with teriyaki chicken.

Make a simple salad: Cut some vegetables to make a refreshing salad. You can add some lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. The fresh taste balances the strong flavor of the chicken.

Steam some vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli and bell peppers can be cooked in the air fryer or a steamer. They are not only delicious but also make the whole meal more balanced, with the nutrition following along.

Add some miso soup: Miso soup is a classic in Japanese meals and can add health and freshness to the meal. It is actually very simple to make and is a great side dish.

How to store leftover food?

Leftover teriyaki chicken can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

If you want to meal prep, place the cooked white rice, shredded teriyaki chicken, and cooked vegetables together in a meal prep container. Reheat in the microwave before eating.

This air fryer teriyaki chicken can be frozen for up to one month. Thaw completely at room temperature or in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the microwave until hot.

You can also reheat it in the air fryer. Place the air fryer teriyaki chicken thighs in a preheated 190°C (375°F) air fryer and cook for 2 to 4 minutes or until heated through.

FAQs:

Q
Is this teriyaki chicken recipe authentic?
A
This recipe uses all the ingredients that are traditionally used in authentic teriyaki chicken.
The main difference is that the chicken thighs are made in the air fryer instead of in a skillet on the stove.
Q
Can I use brown sugar instead of honey to make this dish?
A
Of course! You can use brown sugar instead of honey. Brown sugar will bring a slightly caramel-like sweetness, which pairs very well with the flavor of the chicken.
However, brown sugar doesn't dissolve as easily as honey, so it's recommended to add a bit of warm water during marinating to help it dissolve and ensure the sugar flavor evenly seeps into the chicken.
Q
What is teriyaki sauce?
A
Teriyaki sauce is a sweet and salty flavored sauce, typically made by mixing soy sauce, sugar (or honey), rice wine or cooking wine, ginger, garlic, and other ingredients. It has a rich sweet and salty taste.
Q
How can I make the sauce thicker?
A
The sauce will naturally thicken after being heated in the pan. If it's difficult to thicken the sauce this way, you can use a cornstarch slurry.
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REVIEWS

Your Rating:
Wolfgang
Wolfgang March 08, 2025

The homemade teriyaki sauce was way better than store-bought! So fresh and flavorful.
Chinarecipes REPLY:
Totally! Homemade sauce lets you control the sweetness and saltiness to your liking.

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