Craving takeout but want a healthier option? Look no further than Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken! This dish delivers all the sweet, savory flavors of classic teriyaki with the added benefit of crispy, air-fried perfection.
Juicy chicken pieces are marinated in a flavorful teriyaki sauce, then cooked to tender, deliciousness in your air fryer. It’s a quick and easy weeknight meal that’s sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into 1-1.5 inch cubes)
- Soy sauce
- Mirin (or brown sugar)
- Honey
- Rice vinegar
- Garlic powder
- Ginger powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cornstarch (optional)
- Avocado oil (or cooking spray)
Instructions
1. Marinate the chicken (optional): In a bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, ginger powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for extra flavor.
2. Prepare the teriyaki sauce (while chicken marinates or if not marinating): In a separate bowl, whisk together some soy sauce, mirin, honey, rice vinegar, and a little cornstarch (cornstarch helps thicken the sauce). Set aside.
3. Preheat air fryer: Most air fryers work best when preheated. Set your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and preheat for 5 minutes.
4. Prep the chicken for air frying: If you marinated the chicken, remove it from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. You can lightly coat the chicken with cornstarch for extra crispiness (tossing it in a ziplock bag with cornstarch is a handy method).
5. Air fry the chicken: Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece for even cooking. Lightly spray the chicken with avocado oil or cooking spray. Cook for 8-10 minutes on the first side.
6. Flip and baste the chicken: Flip the chicken pieces and brush generously with the teriyaki sauce. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). Baste with more teriyaki sauce during the last few minutes of cooking for extra flavor and glaze (optional).
7. Rest and serve: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest on a plate for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and prevents the chicken from drying out.
Tips
- Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken pieces and your air fryer model. It’s always best to check for doneness by using a meat thermometer.
- You can use store-bought teriyaki sauce to save time. Just adjust the amount to your taste preference.
- For a thicker teriyaki sauce, whisk a cornstarch slurry (a mixture of cornstarch and water) into the simmering sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve your Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken with rice, noodles, or vegetables.pen_spark