Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

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Super flavorful Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken cooks up perfectly every time! It’s tender and juicy on the inside, with a tasty teriyaki sauce coating the outside. Pair with rice and veggies for an easy meal on busy nights!

Overhead shot of plated air fryer teriyaki chicken next to green beans and rice.

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

  • So Easy: This air fryer teriyaki chicken is a simple meal that comes together quickly!
  • Great Taste and Texture: Air frying the chicken makes it perfectly juicy with very little effort!
  • Versatile Main: Enjoy with a variety of sides, from broccoli or green beans to any other vegetables your family likes! We also love this chicken with rice!

Ingredients Needed

Air fryer teriyaki chicken recipe is incredibly simple to make! You’ll just need a handful of basic ingredients to whip up a flavorful main dish that’s better than takeout. Scroll to the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cut the chicken into small pieces to absorb the flavor and crispy from the air fryer.
  • Soy Sauce: Gives the marinade a delicious salty taste.
  • Brown Sugar: Provides a bit of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
  • Vinegar: Use rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar to help tenderize the meat.
  • Garlic: Minced garlic is a must in any Asian glaze.
  • Sesame Oil: Gives the sauce an earthy, nutty flavor.
  • Ground Ginger: Adds a hint of warm spice.
  • Water & Cornstarch: Whisked together to thicken the sauce.
  • Garnish: Finish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for extra flavor and texture.
Overhead shot of labeled ingredients.

How to Make Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

This baked teriyaki chicken is a family favorite, but I think I might love this air fryer version even more! It has the same great sweet and savory flavor and can be cooked in half the time! I know all you busy mamas need that in your life!

  1. Prep: Cut the chicken into 2-inch pieces, then place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and set aside.
  2. Combine: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and ground ginger. Reserve ¼ cup of the sauce and set aside.
  3. Marinate: Pour the remaining sauce into the bowl of chicken pieces, then cover and marinate in the fridge for 20 minutes. 
  4. Air Fry: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the air fryer basket. Space the chicken pieces evenly in a single layer. Close the basket and cook for 8 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Open the basket and flip the chicken pieces. Close the air fryer and cook for an additional 8 minutes or until cooked through. The safe internal temperature should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  5. Heat the Sauce: Place the reserved ¼ cup of sauce into a small saucepan. In a small bowl whisk the water and cornstarch to make a slurry. Add the mixture to the sauce and whisk over medium heat until the sauce thickens.
  6. Serve: Baste the chicken with the thickened teriyaki sauce. Serve the chicken over rice! Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over rice if desired.

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Tips and Variations

When it comes to cooking, you can adjust things to suit your preferences. Here are some easy ways to make this recipe exactly how you want!

  • Vinegar: I love using rice vinegar in this recipe, but white vinegar or apple cider vinegar are great substitutes!
  • Ginger: Use freshly grated ginger in place of ground ginger!
  • Serve With: Serve over rice or noodles to complete the meal! For a low-carb option, you can add chicken as a protein to a salad. It would also be delicious with my easy fried rice!
  • Spice: To give the teriyaki sauce a kick, add red pepper flakes or a squeeze of Sriracha sauce!

Close up shot of air fryer teriyaki chicken in the bottom of the air fryer basket with sesame seeds and green onions.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Using the air fryer to reheat leftovers works great! It quickly warms up and crisps these teriyaki chicken pieces perfectly, all in less time than using the oven.

  • Fridge: Allow the air fryer teriyaki chicken to cool completely, then place it in an airtight container. It will last in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Freezer: Once placed in an airtight container, you can freeze the chicken for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it in the fridge overnight.
  • Reheat: Pop it in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes or until warmed. You can also microwave the chicken in 30-second increments until warmed.

Close up shot of plated air fryer teriyaki chicken.

More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes

Air fryers have changed cooking for the better. They cook food so quickly, and everything that comes out tastes amazing. Here are some of my most popular air fryer recipes that you should definitely try!

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  • Cut the chicken into 2-inch pieces. Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and set aside.

  • In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and ground ginger; reserve ¼ cup of the sauce and set aside.

  • Pour the remaining sauce into the bowl of chicken pieces. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

  • Add the marinated chicken pieces to the air fryer basket. Evenly space the chicken pieces in a single layer. Close the basket and cook for 8 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Open the basket and flip the chicken pieces. Close the air fryer and cook for an additional 8 minutes or until cooked through. The safe internal temperature should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Place the reserved ¼ cup marinade into a small saucepan. In a small bowl whisk the water and cornstarch to make a slurry. Add the cornstarch to the sauce mixture and whisk over medium heat until the sauce thickens.

  • Baste the chicken with the thickened teriyaki sauce. Serve the chicken over rice! Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Serve over rice if desired.

Calories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 27gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 1757mgPotassium: 509mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 34IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.