Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken The Perfect Weeknight Dinner

If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful dinner option that feels like a restaurant-quality meal, look no further than air fryer teriyaki chicken. This dish brings together the sweetness of teriyaki sauce with tender, juicy chicken, all cooked to perfection in the air fryer. Not only does it save you time, but it also ensures that your chicken is crispy on the outside while staying moist and succulent on the inside.

Teriyaki chicken is one of the most popular dishes in Japanese cuisine, and the beauty of making it in the air fryer is that you get the same fantastic flavors in a fraction of the time. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or preparing a meal for the whole family, this recipe is both simple and delicious.

What is Teriyaki Chicken?

Teriyaki chicken is a dish that originates from Japan, where “teriyaki” refers to the method of cooking and the sauce used. The word “teri” means shine or luster, referring to the glaze that forms when the sauce is cooked. “Yaki” means grill or broil, indicating the cooking process. Traditionally, the chicken is marinated in a sauce made from soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), sake, and sugar, then grilled or broiled.

In this air fryer teriyaki chicken recipe, we simplify the cooking process without sacrificing flavor. You get tender chicken pieces coated in a savory-sweet glaze, all done in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

To make the best air fryer teriyaki chicken, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients that bring all the flavor:

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are the ideal choice. They stay juicy and tender when cooked in the air fryer. You can also use chicken breasts or drumsticks if you prefer.

• Shoyu (Japanese soy sauce): This provides a rich umami flavor to the teriyaki sauce. It’s a little sweeter and less salty than regular soy sauce.

• Mirin: A sweetened rice wine that adds a subtle sweetness to the sauce.

• Sake: Traditionally used in teriyaki recipes, sake adds a depth of flavor that is slightly alcoholic but cooks off during preparation.

• Sugar: A bit of sugar helps to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce, creating the characteristic sweetness of teriyaki.

• Ginger: Fresh ginger adds a spicy kick to the sauce, enhancing the overall flavor.

• Garlic: Minced garlic adds fragrance and depth to the sauce.

• Cornstarch: This is used to thicken the glaze after cooking, making it sticky and perfect for coating the chicken.

How to Make Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

Making air fryer teriyaki chicken is incredibly easy and doesn’t take much time. Follow these simple steps for a delicious meal.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce
   In a medium-sized bowl, combine the shoyu, mirin, sake, sugar, ginger, and garlic. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is well combined. This is your teriyaki marinade and glaze.

2. Marinate the Chicken
   Place the chicken pieces into the bowl with the teriyaki sauce, making sure they are completely coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you have the time. The longer it marinates, the more flavor it absorbs.

3. Preheat the Air Fryer
   Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). This will ensure that the chicken starts cooking as soon as you place it in the basket.

4. Prepare the Teriyaki Glaze
   While the air fryer is heating up, take the reserved portion of the teriyaki sauce (about ¼ to ½ cup) and pour it into a small saucepan. Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring until the sauce thickens. This will become the glaze for the chicken.

5. Cook the Chicken in the Air Fryer
   Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Place the marinated chicken in a single layer, ensuring the pieces are not overcrowded. Air fry the chicken at 380°F for about 6 minutes. After 6 minutes, flip the chicken over and brush with the prepared teriyaki glaze. Air fry for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

6. Serve and Enjoy
   Once the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool slightly. Serve with steamed rice, sautéed vegetables, or a side salad. Drizzle extra teriyaki glaze over the chicken before serving for added flavor.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

• Don’t overcrowd the basket: The chicken needs space to cook evenly and become crispy. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches.

• Use bone-in chicken: While boneless skinless thighs are great, you can also use bone-in pieces for more flavor. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

• Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add a bit more sugar to the marinade.

• Spicy version: For a spicy twist, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a small amount of sriracha to the marinade.

Customizing Your Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

While the traditional air fryer teriyaki chicken recipe is already a crowd-pleaser, you can make it your own by adjusting flavors and ingredients based on your preferences. Here are a few ways you can switch up this recipe:

1. Add Vegetables to the Air Fryer

You can easily add vegetables to the air fryer while cooking your chicken. Bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and broccoli are all excellent choices. Simply slice the vegetables and toss them with a little olive oil and salt before adding them to the air fryer basket with the chicken. Cook the vegetables for about 6 minutes, flipping them halfway through, and they will come out tender and slightly crispy.

• Veggies to try:

  • Bell peppers

  • Carrots

  • Zucchini

  • Broccoli

  • Snow peas

  • Mushrooms

2. Switch Up the Protein

If you’re not a fan of chicken or just want to try something different, this recipe can be adapted to a variety of proteins. Here are some great alternatives to chicken for your teriyaki dish:

• Chicken breast: If you prefer a leaner protein, chicken breast can be substituted for thighs. Keep in mind that chicken breasts may dry out more quickly, so be sure to check the internal temperature early.

• Salmon: Teriyaki salmon is a delicious alternative that pairs beautifully with the sweet and savory glaze. Air fry salmon fillets for 8-10 minutes, depending on thickness.

• Tofu: For a vegetarian or vegan option, firm tofu works great. Simply press the tofu to remove excess moisture, cut it into cubes, and marinate it in the teriyaki sauce before air frying.

 

3. Spicy Teriyaki Chicken

If you enjoy a little heat with your sweet, adding some spice to your air fryer teriyaki chicken can elevate the flavor. Here’s how you can give your dish a spicy kick:

• Add sriracha: Stir a teaspoon or more of sriracha sauce into the teriyaki glaze to add a spicy, tangy flavor.

• Red pepper flakes: Sprinkle red pepper flakes into the marinade for a subtle heat.

• Chili garlic sauce: A great alternative to sriracha, chili garlic sauce will add heat and extra depth of flavor.

4. Sweeten the Sauce

For those with a sweet tooth, there are many ways to adjust the sweetness of the teriyaki sauce. You can add more sugar to the sauce, or experiment with other sweeteners like:

• Honey: For a more natural sweetener, swap out the sugar for honey.

• Pineapple juice: Add a splash of pineapple juice to both the marinade and glaze for an extra fruity sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory soy sauce.

 

Serving Ideas for Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

Once your air fryer teriyaki chicken is cooked, the next step is to think about how to serve it. Whether you’re looking for a traditional meal or something a little more creative, here are some serving ideas to try:

1. Serve with Rice

The classic pairing for teriyaki chicken is steamed rice. You can choose from several types of rice depending on your preferences:

• White rice: Light and fluffy, perfect for soaking up the teriyaki sauce.

• Brown rice: A healthier alternative, brown rice adds fiber and a nutty flavor to the dish.

• Cauliflower rice: For a low-carb option, serve your teriyaki chicken with cauliflower rice, which is a great substitute for traditional rice.

2. Pair with Noodles

For a fun twist on the traditional rice and chicken pairing, serve your air fryer teriyaki chicken over noodles. Here are some excellent noodle options:

• Soba noodles: These Japanese buckwheat noodles pair perfectly with teriyaki chicken and offer a unique flavor.

• Udon noodles: Thick, chewy udon noodles will absorb the teriyaki glaze beautifully.

• Rice noodles: If you’re following a gluten-free diet, rice noodles are an excellent choice to go with your teriyaki chicken.

3. Serve with a Side Salad

A fresh salad can balance out the richness of the teriyaki chicken. Here are some salad ideas that complement the dish:

• Asian cucumber salad: A refreshing side dish made with cucumber, rice vinegar, and sesame seeds.

• Mixed greens: Lightly tossed with a simple dressing like sesame oil, soy sauce, and lime.

• Coleslaw: A crunchy cabbage salad with a tangy dressing is a great contrast to the savory flavors of the chicken.

4. Create a Teriyaki Chicken Bowl

For a fun and customizable dinner, serve your air fryer teriyaki chicken in a bowl. This is a great option for meal prep or when you want to control portions. Start with a base of rice or noodles, top it with the teriyaki chicken, and then add your favorite toppings like:

• Avocado slices

• Steamed vegetables (broccoli, snap peas, etc.)

• Pickled ginger

• Sesame seeds

5. Add a Side of Veggies

Air fry some vegetables alongside your chicken for a well-rounded meal. Here are a few that work great with teriyaki chicken:

• Asparagus: Lightly seasoned with soy sauce and air fried to perfection.

• Brussels sprouts: Tossed in olive oil and air fried until crispy.

• Sweet potatoes: Air fry slices of sweet potato for a slightly sweet and savory side dish.

 

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Recipe Card

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch cubes)

• ½ cup shoyu (Japanese soy sauce)

• ⅓ cup mirin (sweet rice wine)

• ⅓ cup sake

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• ½ inch fresh ginger (sliced)

• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

• 2 teaspoons water

• Non-stick cooking spray (for air fryer basket)

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine shoyu, mirin, sake, sugar, ginger, and garlic. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is well combined.

2. Add chicken to the bowl and ensure it’s fully coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).

3. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C).

4. In a small saucepan, pour the reserved teriyaki sauce (about ¼ to ½ cup). Add cornstarch and water to a small bowl, mix into a slurry, then pour into the saucepan. Heat over medium heat while stirring until the glaze thickens.

5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray. Add marinated chicken to the basket in a single layer.

6. Air fry at 380°F for 6 minutes, then flip the chicken. Brush with the prepared teriyaki glaze and air fry for another 5-6 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

7. Allow the chicken to cool slightly before serving. Drizzle additional teriyaki glaze over the chicken if desired.

Notes:

• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: Cooking the chicken in a single layer ensures it crisps up and cooks evenly. If needed, cook in batches.

• Substitute chicken breasts: You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs if you prefer a leaner cut of meat, but be careful not to overcook them as they can dry out quickly.

• Add spice: For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the marinade or glaze.

• Make your own teriyaki sauce: If you want to make your own sauce, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and cornstarch to thicken it.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving):

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 22 minutes (including marinating)

Method: Air Fryer

Cuisine: Japanese

Servings: 4

Calories: 237 kcal per serving

Yield: 4 servings