Air Fryer Chicken Teriyaki

This Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken made with juicy chicken thighs and teriyaki sauce is the perfect copycat to any restaurant, but made right in your kitchen!

Our family loves a good chicken meal and Teriyaki Chicken is one of our favorites because it is easy and quick to make, full of flavor, and is such a healthy meal when made in the air fryer! It is perfect for a midweek dinner and the recipe can be doubled if you are having company.  We have always enjoyed it when we go to our local Chinese/Japanese/Asian restaurant, but enjoying it at home is so much better!

Teriyaki Chicken is a popular chicken dish made with pieces of chicken and then covered in a sweet and savory sauce.   Teriyaki was invented in the 1700’s by Japanese chefs and literally means “glossy grilled”.  This recipe only uses 5 ingredients and cooks perfectly every time.  We recommend marinating the chicken for 30 minutes before cooking so the sweet flavor of the sauce will be increased. 

Why should I cook this in the Air Fryer?

I love cooking with my air fryer for so many reasons:

1.  Food cooks quicker than with other methods.

2.  The air fryer gives meat a crispy texture, the same you would get if you used a deep fryer, but because it uses little or no oil, dishes are very healthy.

Quick, AND easy? Yes, please!

This recipe only uses 5 ingredients and cooks perfectly every time.  We recommend marinating the chicken for 30 minutes before cooking so the sweet flavor of the sauce will be increased. 

What can I make with the Teriyaki Chicken?

Complete the meal with white rice, fried rice, or with veggies such as broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers.

Do I have to use chicken thighs? What if I only have chicken breasts?  

I used chicken thighs for this recipe because thighs tend to be juicier and are what restaurants often use, and they take less time to cook.

You can use chicken breasts if thighs are not available, though they will be not be as juicy.

INGREDIENTS:

• Boneless Chicken thighs – I used chicken thighs for this recipe because thighs tend to be juicier and are what restaurants often use, and they take less time to cook. You can use chicken breasts if thighs are not available, though they will be not be as juicy.
• Teriyaki sauce homemade or store-bought – this is our favorite store bought teriyaki sauce!
• Salt
• Pepper
• Black sesame seeds for garnish – any sesame seeds will be wonderful! We prefer black sesame seeds because it has a stronger flavor than white seeds. It’s a deeper, nutty taste than a white sesame seed. This brand is the one we prefer!

In a large bowl or dish, add cut chicken. You want to cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Top with the marinade, salt, and pepper.

Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to marinade. This will allow the sauce to seep into the chicken to seal in the flavor and juices.

Pour chicken and marinade into a pie pan and place in the air fryer basket.

Cook at 350 for 15 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. Stir halfway through cooking.

Serve over rice and garnish with sesame seeds. For a punch of heat add some crushed red peppers.

There is a pan needed in this recipe. Where can I get it?

This 9 inch pie pan fits perfect in our Air Fryer.

They make other size pie pans that will fit your Air Fryer that might be smaller or larger than mine! See this link for various sizes here!

What Air Fryer did I use?

This is the Air Fryer we use!

What if I don’t have a pan that will fit, or I don’t want to buy one?

A “pan” made of aluminum foil and shaped into a tray that will fit in the air fryer can be used if you do not have the recommended pie pan.

Does this recipe do well as leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored for up to 3 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container, and up to 3 months in the freezer.

Like the Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken? Try this one! You won’t regret it!

Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken