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This easy air fryer teriyaki chicken is juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. Made with chicken thighs and a quick homemade teriyaki sauce, it’s ready in about 30 minutes and perfect with rice and veggies for a fuss-free weeknight dinner.
Table of Contents
- Easy Air Fryer Chicken Teriyaki
- Add This To Your Quick Weeknight Favorites
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How To Make Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
- Cooking Guide For Different Cuts Of Chicken (And Salmon)
- Frequently Asked Question
- What To Serve With This Recipe
- Other Teriyaki Recipes You Might Like
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Teriyaki
This air fryer teriyaki chicken recipe came together on a night when I wanted something quick, comforting, and perfect with a bowl of rice. I had chicken thighs in the fridge and a craving for something savory-sweet, but I didn’t feel like pulling out the pan. So I whisked together a simple homemade teriyaki sauce, let the chicken marinate, and popped it into the air fryer. That’s it. The thighs came out juicy with a beautifully browned surface, and the sauce gave every bite that familiar teriyaki flavor you get from your favorite Japanese takeout.
You can serve the chicken whole or slice it up, pair it with rice and steamed greens, and you’ve got an easy Chicken Teriyaki dinner that’s both fast and satisfying. Check out my tips and video guide below for the juiciest teriyaki chicken in the air fryer. And if you’re looking for more quick and delicious air fryer chicken recipes, try my Air Fryer Honey Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Korean Chicken Wings, and Air Fryer Chicken Legs.
Add This To Your Quick Weeknight Favorites
Here’s why it deserves a spot in your weekly rotation:
- Juicy, tender chicken. Boneless thighs stay moist inside while the air fryer gives them a beautifully browned surface.
- Homemade teriyaki sauce. Just a few pantry staples for that classic savory sweet flavor, no bottled sauce needed.
- Fast and fuss free. Only 14 minutes in the air fryer, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Versatile and satisfying. Serve whole or sliced, with rice and any veggie side you love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken thighs – You can use skin on or skinless boneless chicken thighs for this recipe. If you want to prep them yourself, check out my How to Debone Chicken Thighs guide.
- Soy sauce
- Sugar
- Sake
You can find all the ingredient details in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Pro Tip #1: Why I Use Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs stay juicy and flavorful, even in the air fryer. They’re more forgiving than chicken breasts, so you don’t have to worry about them drying out. See my Cooking Guide For Different Cuts Of Chicken (And Salmon) section for how to adjust if you’re using a different cut of chicken or want to make Teriyaki Salmon instead.
Pro Tip #2: Why I Use Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is the base of any good teriyaki, giving it that deep savory umami flavor. I use regular soy sauce for balance because light soy can be too salty and dark soy can overpower the sauce.
Pro Tip #3: Why I Add Mirin
Mirin adds a gentle sweetness and that glossy finish you love in restaurant teriyaki. It also helps the sauce cling to the chicken without any thickener. You can skip it if you don’t have any, but it really does make the sauce taste more authentic.
Shopping Guide: Sake And Mirin
For sake, look for affordable, mild options that won’t overpower your sauce. Gekkeikan, Sho Chiku Bai, and Ozeki are all widely available in Asian supermarkets, some larger grocery stores, and even online. For mirin, Takara Hon Mirin gives the most authentic, rich flavor, while Kikkoman Aji-Mirin is a budget-friendly choice that’s easy to find.
How To Make Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
Toss the chicken thighs in a bowl with soy sauce, sugar, sake, and a splash of mirin if you have it. Give everything a good mix so the chicken’s coated evenly.
Let the chicken sit in the marinade for 10 to 15 minutes so it can soak up all that savory-sweet flavor before you start cooking.
Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer in your air fryer basket so they cook evenly. Set it to 190°C (375°F) and let them cook for 10 minutes.
Pro Tip: If you’re using skin-on chicken thighs, place them skin-side down for the first 10 minutes so the skin can crisp up without burning.
Flip the chicken thighs over, then spoon some of that tasty marinade right on top. Pop them back in for another 4 minutes, just until they’re cooked through and juicy.
Pro Tip: Adding the marinade now keeps it from drying out, so you get that saucy, flavorful finish.
Serve the chicken thighs just as they are, then sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions for a fresh pop of flavor.
Pro Tip: The drippings in the air fryer basket are pure liquid gold. Spoon them over rice or drizzle them on the chicken for an extra hit of savory sweet goodness.
Cooking Guide For Different Cuts Of Chicken (And Salmon)
Cooking different cuts? This guide helps you adjust time and temperature so everything comes out tender, juicy, and flavorful.
- Bone-in chicken thighs: Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 12 minutes, flip, then cook for another 6 minutes. The higher heat gets the skin nice and golden while giving the meat time to cook through without drying out.
- Chicken breasts: Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 10 minutes, flip, then cook for another 5–7 minutes depending on thickness. Slightly lower heat keeps them juicy, since breasts are lean and can dry out quickly.
- Chicken tenders: Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 8 minutes until golden. Their small size means they cook fast, so no need to flip unless you want extra browning.
- Chicken wings: Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 8 minutes, flip, then cook for another 4 minutes. This gives you crispy skin and fully cooked meat without burning the tips.
- Salmon: Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 6 minutes. It stays tender and flaky while the outside gets that light, golden glaze.
Frequently Asked Question
Yes, but air fry in batches so the chicken cooks evenly. Overcrowding the basket traps steam and can make the skin soggy.
If marinating for over 12 hours, the sauce can start to break down the texture of the chicken because of the salt and acid. For best results, stick to 10 minutes to 8 hours.
Yes. Bake at 200°C (400°F) for about 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway. Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end if you want a caramelized finish.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 3–4 minutes, or in the microwave in short bursts so the chicken stays juicy.
Yes. Let it cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
This recipe is 416 calories per serving.
What To Serve With This Recipe
This meal is best served with steamed rice. For an easy and wholesome weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes:
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Teriyaki Recipes You Might Like
Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 boneless chicken thighs, skinless or skin-on, about 14-16 oz (400-450 g)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon sugar, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon sake
- 1 tablespoon mirin, optional
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the chicken thighs with soy sauce, sugar, sake, and mirin (if using) until well coated.
- Marinate for 10-15 minutes.
- Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 10 minutes.
- Flip the chicken thighs and spoon the marinade over them. Air fry for another 4 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.Pro Tip: Add the marinade at this stage so it doesn’t dry up during cooking.
- Serve the thighs whole, garnished with sesame seeds and scallions, with the dripping from the air fryer basket on the side.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
