Air-Fried Teriyaki Chicken: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Making teriyaki chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve a tasty, juicy, and succulent dish with a perfectly glazed skin. It is healthier, easier to make, and faster than frying, and the air fryer helps to caramelize the sauce so that it coats the chicken nicely.

To make teriyaki chicken in an air fryer, you will need chicken, teriyaki sauce, and a few other simple ingredients. The chicken can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as cutting it into cubes or making a few cuts on the thicker parts to allow it to cook faster. It can then be seasoned and marinated before being placed in the air fryer and cooked for a short amount of time, usually around 15-20 minutes. The teriyaki sauce can be store-bought or made from scratch and added to the chicken before, during, or after cooking.

Choosing the right cut of chicken

When making teriyaki chicken in an air fryer, you can use a variety of chicken cuts, including boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, drumsticks, wings, or even breast meat. However, skin-on chicken is preferable as the skin holds in moisture, provides a great texture, and allows the sauce to stick better.

If you are using boneless chicken thighs, it is recommended to get medium-sized ones, as the cooking time will vary depending on the size and type of chicken cut. For example, boneless chicken thighs will take around 15-20 minutes to cook, while chicken breasts may take a bit longer.

When preparing the chicken, it is important to remove any excess moisture by patting the chicken dry with a paper towel before coating it with the teriyaki sauce. This will ensure that the chicken gets nice and crispy in the air fryer.

Additionally, if you are using chicken thighs, it is recommended to make a few cuts on the thicker parts to allow the chicken to cook faster and prevent it from shrinking. You can then sprinkle both sides with salt and black pepper and set it aside for 10 minutes or even marinate it in the fridge overnight.

Overall, the key to choosing the right cut of chicken for teriyaki chicken in an air fryer is to ensure that the chicken is boneless and skin-on, with medium-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.

Marinating the chicken

Firstly, prepare your chicken thighs by placing them bottom side up and making a few cuts on the thicker parts. This technique helps the chicken cook faster and prevents it from shrinking during the cooking process. You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs or opt for skin-on chicken thighs, which will result in juicier meat with better texture and glaze adhesion.

Once your chicken is prepared, it's time to make the marinade. In a medium-sized bowl, combine Japanese soy sauce (shoyu), mirin (sweetened Japanese rice wine), sake (Japanese rice cooking wine or Japanese sake), sugar, ginger, and garlic. Mix these ingredients well, ensuring they are thoroughly combined. The marinade will impart a beautiful balance of sweet and salty flavours to your chicken.

Now, it's time to add the chicken to the marinade. Place the chicken in the bowl, ensuring it is well coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator to chill. For the best results, let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours. However, if you have the time, it is even better to let it sit overnight. This extended marination time allows the flavours to truly penetrate the meat, resulting in juicy and flavourful chicken.

While the chicken is marinating, you can prepare the rest of your ingredients and even make a side dish to accompany your teriyaki chicken. Remember, the longer the chicken sits in the marinade, the more intense the flavours will be. So, if you like your chicken packed with flavour, opt for a longer marination time.

Making the teriyaki sauce

For a Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce, you will need soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, pineapple juice, and grated ginger. The sauce should be simmered until it has reduced by half, which will take around 5-10 minutes. This will give you a glaze that will coat the chicken.

If you are making a standard teriyaki sauce, the ingredients are similar, but you can add rice wine vinegar and sesame oil for an extra flavour boost. You can also add cornstarch to thicken the sauce.

Once the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool. You can make this sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Air-frying the chicken

Place the chicken thighs skin side up in a single layer in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 350°F and air fry for 10 minutes. If you are using an air fryer that requires preheating, preheat it to 380°F before adding the chicken.

After 10 minutes, flip the chicken over and air fry with the skin side down for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest part reaches 165°F.

Brush a generous amount of teriyaki sauce onto the bottom side of the chicken thighs. Flip the chicken over and baste the skin side as well.

Air fry with the skin side up at 325°F for 3-5 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken and form a coating. Keep a close eye on the chicken and be careful not to let the sauce burn. Remove the chicken from the air fryer as soon as the sauce is thick and sticky.

Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve with steamed rice or any side of your choice.

Serving suggestions

Teriyaki chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of your air-fried teriyaki chicken:

Rice

Rice is a classic side dish for teriyaki chicken, and for good reason. The savoury, slightly sticky sauce goes perfectly with a bowl of steamed rice. You could use white rice or, for a healthier option, opt for brown rice. Fried rice is also a great choice, especially if you want to make it into more of a stir-fry dish.

Vegetables

Adding some vegetables to your plate is always a good idea, and teriyaki chicken goes well with a variety of veggies. Try steamed broccoli or carrots for a simple, healthy side. If you want something a little more substantial, you could make an Asian-style cucumber salad with miso and sesame, or a stir-fry with broccoli, cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and snow peas.

Sandwich

If you're looking for a more portable option, you could make a teriyaki chicken sandwich. Simply slice up your chicken and serve it on a bun with your favourite toppings and a drizzle of extra teriyaki sauce.

Salad

For a lighter meal, serve your teriyaki chicken on a bed of fresh greens. A simple salad of mixed leaves, tomatoes, and cucumbers would work well, or you could try something a little more exotic, like an Asian-inspired salad with miso and sesame.

Noodles

Teriyaki chicken also goes well with noodles. Try it with chow mein, udon, or even just some simple boiled noodles. If you're feeling adventurous, you could make a noodle soup by adding some stock and vegetables to your boiled noodles.

Sides and Appetizers

If you're looking for some smaller dishes to round out your meal, there are plenty of options. Try air fryer tater tots, lemon pepper wings, Brussels sprouts with garlic and Parmesan, or easy biscuit air fryer donuts.

Frequently asked questions