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.

Grey air fryer basket filled with teriyaki chicken.
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Why you will love this recipe

  • Easy to make
  • Juicy
  • Tender
  • Ready in 30 minutes
  • Simple, easy to find ingredients
  • Perfect for weeknight meals
  • Gluten free, dairy free, paleo, can be Whole30 and low carb
Ingredients to make air fryer teriyaki chicken.

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. If you only have chicken breast on hand, be sure to cut it into 1-2 inch cubes or butterfly the breast so it’s thinner. This helps the chicken to cook faster and will allow the marinade to soak into more of the chicken.

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.
  • Spices: Salt, dried chives (or garlic powder) – coconut aminos are not as salty as soy sauce, so if you are using tamari or soy sauce, you will want to reduce the salt in the recipe. The dried chives are used to provide a unique onion flavor, but you can also use garlic powder or fresh grated garlic in place of the dried chives.

How to make air fryer teriyaki chicken

Make the marinade: Start by combining all the teriyaki sauce ingredients in a bowl large enough to marinade the chicken in (or add all the ingredients to a blender if using dates).

Ingredients for homemade teriyaki sauce in glass bowl.

Marinade the chicken: Once the marinade is in the bowl and well combined, add the chicken thighs, working to ensure they are fully submerged (or submerged as much as possible). Cover the bowl and move the chicken/marinade to the fridge. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes, up to 3 hours.

Chicken thighs in teriyaki marinade in glass bowl.

Cook the chicken: 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.

Air fryer basket filled with teriyaki chicken thighs before cooking.

Check the internal temperature before serving.: 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.

Air fryer basket filled with teriyaki chicken thighs after cooking.

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).
  • 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.
  • Be sure to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the largest piece of chicken. Chicken should reach at least 165F. Note that 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.

What to serve with teriyaki chicken thighs

Plate filled with rice, steamed broccoli and teriyaki chicken cooked in air fryer.

Other additions to air fryer asian chicken

  • 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 you put raw chicken in an air fryer?

Yes! You can put raw chicken in the air fryer, just like in the oven. The air fryer circulates the air around the chicken so it actually cooks faster than in a typical oven. You can cook boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer in about 10 minutes.

Is teriyaki chicken good for you?

This air fryer teriyaki chicken recipe is healthy and full of good for you ingredients! The homemade teriyaki sauce is made with simple, healthy ingredients. This healthy teriyaki chicken made in the air fryer is much better for you than anything you might get when eating takeout or at a restaurant.

How to make this with boneless, skinless chicken breast?

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.

How to store leftovers

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Let the chicken cool completely in the fridge in a freezer safe bag/container. Once cold, transfer to the freezer and freeze for up to 3 months. Be sure to label the bag with the name of the dish, date and use by date.

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.

Air fryer teriyaki chicken thighs in air fryer basket.

If you love this recipe, you should try

Ground Chicken Stir Fry

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Greek Chicken

10 Minute Asian Skillet Chicken

Sweet and Sour Chicken Meatballs (Oven or Air Fryer)

Air Fryer Chicken Bites

Asian Ground Chicken Rice Bowls

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Teriyaki chicken thighs, broccoli and white rice on a plate.

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

$9.58 Recipe/$2.39 Serving
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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Course: dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Keyword: air fryer teriyaki chicken, air fryer teriyaki chicken thighs, teriyaki chicken air fryer
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1.25 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs - $7.25

Teriyaki Sauce

  • 1/3 cup coconut aminos - $0.94
  • 3 tbsp. rice wine vinegar - $0.24
  • 2 tbsp. maple syrup (or 2 dates, pitted and soaked) - $0.62
  • 1 tbsp. fresh grated ginger (1/2 tsp. dried ground ginger) - $0.18
  • 1 tbsp dried chives - $0.30
  • 1 tsp salt (use less if you use soy sauce) - $0.05

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.
  • 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).
  • 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

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).
  • 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.
  • Be sure to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the largest piece of chicken. Chicken should reach at least 165F.
  • If you don’t want to make your own teriyaki sauce, Primal Kitchen sells one with good quality ingredients.
How to store leftovers
  • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: Let the chicken cool completely in the fridge in a freezer safe bag/container. Once cold, transfer to the freezer and freeze for up to 3 months. Be sure to label the bag with the name of the dish, date and use by date.
  • 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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