Ultimate Teriyaki Chicken Air Fryer Recipe

This quick and easy teriyaki chicken air fryer recipe delivers juicy chicken with a perfectly caramelized glaze in just 20 minutes! A family-friendly dinner solution for busy weeknights with that authentic sweet-savory flavor kids and adults love.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 12

Total Time 22

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian, Japanese

Calories: 312

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tbsp vegetable oil
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

For the Teriyaki Sauce

⅓ cup soy sauce low-sodium recommended
3 tbsp brown sugar packed
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp fresh ginger grated
½ tsp cornstarch

For Garnish (Optional)

2 tbsp green onions sliced
1 tsp sesame seeds

Equipment

Air Fryer
Mixing Bowl
Whisk
Cutting Board
Sharp Knife
Pastry Brush

Method

Prepare the Chicken

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes.
In a medium bowl, toss chicken pieces with vegetable oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

Make the Teriyaki Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger until sugar is dissolved.
Remove 3 tablespoons of the sauce and set aside. Add cornstarch to this reserved portion and whisk until smooth. This will be your final glaze.

Air Fry the Chicken

Place the seasoned chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd (work in batches if needed).
Cook for 6 minutes, then shake the basket to ensure even cooking.
Brush chicken with some of the teriyaki sauce (not the cornstarch mixture). Continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes.

Apply the Glaze

Brush the chicken with the reserved cornstarch-teriyaki mixture.
Cook for a final 2-3 minutes until the sauce has caramelized and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Serve

Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
Serve immediately with rice and your choice of vegetables.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken in 1/4 cup of the teriyaki sauce for 15-30 minutes before air frying. If using chicken breasts instead of thighs, reduce cooking time by about 2 minutes to prevent drying out. Leftover teriyaki sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week and used for stir-fries or as a dipping sauce.