Golden Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken is a simple, flavorful dinner that the whole family will happily enjoy. Juicy chicken with a crispy outside is coated in a rich, sweet, and sticky teriyaki glaze that tastes better than restaurant takeout and comes together with minimal effort

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

When you need a quick dinner that delivers the same satisfaction as your favorite Asian-inspired takeout, this Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken is the perfect choice. It is easy to prepare, packed with flavor, and made with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand.

This recipe shows you how to make a tasty and healthier version of teriyaki chicken at home. Cooking it yourself means you control the ingredients while still getting that bold, savory-sweet flavor everyone loves. Watching your family enjoy this meal and clear their plates makes it even better. This dish has become a regular on our weekly dinner rotation.

The chicken is marinated in teriyaki sauce, allowing the flavor to soak into every bite. You can make the homemade teriyaki sauce included below, or use a good-quality store-bought version if you prefer. The chicken is cooked in the air fryer, which uses less oil and keeps the kitchen clean with no splattering on the stovetop.

This recipe contains no flour, making it a great option if you are looking for a gluten-free teriyaki chicken. Served over fluffy white rice, it makes a comforting and satisfying meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. You can also pair it with steamed broccoli, carrots, or cauliflower, or enjoy it with vegetables alone for a lower-carb option.

If you enjoy air fryer meals, this recipe is a great addition to your collection and one you will want to make again and again.

Why We Love This Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Delivers classic takeout flavor at home
Made without deep frying and uses very little oil
Simple to prepare with easy-to-follow steps

What Is Teriyaki Chicken?

Teriyaki chicken is a Japanese-style dish where chicken is marinated and cooked with a sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and mirin or vinegar. In many places, it has become a popular takeout option where the chicken is often fried and coated in a glossy, sweet, and slightly tangy sauce.

Ingredients

Chicken thighs or chicken breasts
Cooking oil
Sesame oil, optional
Homemade teriyaki sauce or store-bought teriyaki sauce
Sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish
Salt
Ground black pepper

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Making teriyaki sauce at home is quick and easy. Simply whisk the ingredients together until smooth with no lumps remaining. If mirin or rice wine vinegar is hard to find, rice vinegar works well, and white vinegar can be used as a last resort.

Soy sauce
Rice vinegar
Brown sugar
Corn starch
Minced garlic
Minced ginger

How To Make Teriyaki Chicken In Air Fryer

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place them in a mixing bowl with one quarter cup of teriyaki sauce, salt, and ground black pepper, then mix until the chicken is well coated and marinate for thirty minutes to one hour.
2. Preheat the air fryer for five minutes at 375F and arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, using foil or brushing the basket with oil if desired.
3. Air fry the chicken at 400F for fifteen to eighteen minutes until golden brown and fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165F, flipping the pieces halfway through cooking.
4. While the chicken cooks, heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add the remaining teriyaki sauce, and cook for three to four minutes until the sauce thickens.
5. Toss the cooked chicken in the thickened sauce until evenly coated, add sesame oil if using, adjust seasoning as needed, and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.

Best Tips

Preheat the air fryer so the chicken cooks evenly and quickly
Cut the chicken into similar-sized pieces for even cooking
Avoid overcrowding the basket and cook in batches if necessary

What Air Fryer To Use

A basket-style air fryer such as a 5.8 quart model works well for this recipe. A toaster oven-style air fryer can also be used with great results.

What To Serve Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken With

This dish pairs perfectly with basmati rice, brown rice, or other grains of your choice. For a lighter option, serve it alongside steamed or air-fried vegetables, or enjoy it on its own if you are watching your carbohydrate intake.

How To Store And Reheat

Store leftover teriyaki chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.

How To Freeze

To freeze, place the cooked chicken without the sauce into a zip lock bag and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, reheat the chicken in the air fryer until warm, prepare a fresh batch of sauce, and toss the chicken to coat before serving.