Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
Air fryer teriyaki chicken is flavorful, easy to make and the perfect weeknight meal! The teriyaki chicken thighs cook in 10 minutes and the homemade teriyaki sauce is so simple to make! This is a great beginner recipe and will quickly become a family favorite!
If you love the flavors of this air fryer teriyaki chicken, be sure to try the Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken or Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon.
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Ingredients
- Chicken thighs or chicken breast cut into 1-2 inch cubes – this recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they are more flavorful and more forgiving and won’t dry out like chicken breast sometimes can.
Teriyaki marinade
- Coconut aminos (or tamari or soy sauce) – this provides that savory umami flavor. Coconut aminos are made from coconut blossoms and are a soy free and gluten free alternative to soy sauce.
- Rice wine vinegar – this helps to provide balance to the sauce so that it taste sweet and salty but not overly sweet. The vinegar also helps to start breaking down the protein, making the chicken more tender.
- Fresh or dried ginger – ginger provides flavor to the teriyaki sauce. When using fresh ginger, be sure to peel the skin before grating the ginger with a microplane. Another great option is freeze dried ginger (which is already chopped for you) – this is typically what I use when I’m making this in a hurry.
- Maple syrup – you can also use honey, date syrup or 2 dates, soaked and pitted for a Whole30 friendly version of this teriyaki sauce recipe. If you are using dates, you will want to blend this sauce in a high speed blender until the dates have been broken down.
How to make air fryer teriyaki chicken
Combine the coconut aminos, rice wine vinegar, maple syrup, ginger and spices. Stir well. Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the teriyaki marinade. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes, up to 3 hours. After marinating the chicken, transfer the chicken (with tongs or a fork) to the air fryer basket. Turn on the air fryer at 375F for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, check the internal temperature of the chicken using an instant thermometer. The thickest part of the chicken should read 165F. If it doesn’t cook for 1-2 more minutes until the chicken is up to temperature.
Top tips
- If using chicken breast, cut it in half (butterfly) so the chicken is not so thick or it will take much longer to cook in the air fryer. Alternatively, you can cut the chicken breast up into 1-2 inch thick cubes which will also cook in similar time.
- Each air fryer is a bit different so cooking times will differ based on your air fryer.
- If you don’t want to make your own teriyaki sauce, you can buy a store bought teriyaki sauce. Primal Kitchen sells one with good quality ingredients.
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Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
Air fryer teriyaki chicken is so easy to make and cooks in just 10 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal idea! Simply serve these air fryer teriyaki chicken thighs with rice and steamed broccoli for a simple but filling meal! This recipe is easy enough for beginners and is packed with flavor, it's guaranteed to be a family favorite!
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Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1.25 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/3 cup coconut aminos
- 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger - (1/2 tsp. dried ground ginger)
- 1 tablespoon dried chives
- 1 teaspoon salt (use less if you use soy sauce)
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients for the teriyaki sauce in a large bowl. If you are using dates for sweetness, remove the pit and soak them in hot water at least 10 minutes, then blend the sauce in a high speed blender.1/3 cup coconut aminos, 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger, 1 tablespoon dried chives, 1 teaspoon salt (use less if you use soy sauce)
- Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to a large bowl with the marinade. Cover the bowl and move to the fridge at least 15 minutes to marinate (you can also do this in an extra large stasher bag).1.25 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- After at least 15 minutes, use tongs or a fork to remove the chicken from the marinade and place the chicken in the air fryer basket (try not to overlap the chicken).
- Turn the air fryer on 375F for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the largest chicken thigh. It should read at least 165F. If it doesn't turn the air fryer on 375F for 1-2 more minutes depending on how close it is to that temperature.
- Serve hot with your favorite sides (we love jasmine rice and steamed broccoli).
Equipment
Recipe Notes
Top tips
- Let marinate at least 15 minutes, but if you have the time 30 – 60 minutes is best (but can marinate for up to 3 hours).
- Be sure to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the largest piece of chicken. Chicken should reach at least 165F.
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating teriyaki chicken in the air fryer: Use the air fryer to reheat the chicken at 350F for 4-5 minutes until hot. You can also use the microwave to reheat the chicken 1-2 minutes. If the chicken was frozen, you will want to defrost in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
212
Fat
6
g
Carbohydrates
9
g
Fiber
1
g
Sugar
4
g
Protein
27
g
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
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What to serve with teriyaki chicken thighs
- Jasmine rice and Asian Broccoli
- Quinoa and steamed broccoli and carrots (fresh or frozen)
- Cauliflower rice (low carb option)
- Spicy Asian Slaw (Whole30 friendly)
- Spicy Peanut Spiralized Sweet Potato Pasta
Other additions
- Sesame seeds – sprinkle on top after cooking, sesame seeds can add crunch and texture.
- Crushed red pepper flakes – if you love a little spice with your meal, you can add crushed red pepper flake to the marinade or sprinkle on top after cooking.
- Green onion – slice up the green and white part of a green onion to sprinkle on top after cooking for a pop of color and freshness.
- Sesame oil – sesame oil is packed with flavor and can add so much flavor to the marinade. You can add 1/2 -1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the marinade to add an intense flavor to the marinade.
Common Questions
Can I make this with boneless, skinless chicken breast?
Yes. Typically boneless, skinless chicken breast is thicker than chicken thighs so takes longer to cook. The best way to cook chicken breast in the air fryer is to either cut it in half (butterfly it) to thin it out or to cut the chicken into 1-2 inch cubes so it will cook quickly in the air fryer.
