Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken
This delicious air fryer soy sauce chicken is marinated to perfection, ensuring maximum flavor and juiciness.
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 Piece Boneless Chicken Thigh Skin on
- 1.5 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
- ½ tbsp Five-Spice Powder
- 1 tsp White Pepper
- 2 tsp Sugar or honey
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
Instructions
- Start by whisking together 1.5 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1/2 tbsp five-spice powder, 1 tsp white pepper, and 2 tsp of sugar or honey until it is smooth and well-blended. The aroma of the spices should already be tantalizing. This marinade is key for locking in flavor, so do not skip this step.
- Place the 2 pieces of boneless chicken thighs in a bowl and pour the marinade over them. Toss to ensure every piece is coated, and let it soak for about 30 minutes. You will notice the chicken turning darker with the soy sauce, giving it a nice glaze. This is crucial for flavor absorption, so take your time.
- Before cooking, preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F. You will want it to be hot enough that the chicken will sizzle as soon as it hits the basket. Preheating helps achieve crispy skin, so do not skip this. If it is not hot enough, the skin might not crisp up properly.
- Carefully place the marinated chicken in the basket of the air fryer, skin side up. You should hear a satisfying sizzle when it goes in. Cook them for about 15 minutes until they are golden brown and the skin is crispy. If you are worried about uneven cooking, cut the thighs into smaller pieces for even cooking.
- When the cooking time is up, check that the chicken is cooked through. The skin should look irresistibly crispy, and the insides should be juicy. If it is not there yet, pop it back in and check every few minutes. Rushing to pull it out too soon could lead to undercooked chicken.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before digging in. This helps the juices redistribute, so every bite is tender and moist. The sweet and savory aroma should make your mouth water. Do not skip this step, or it might not be as juicy as you would like!
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If chicken pieces are large, consider cutting them into smaller portions for more even cooking throughout.
When encountering smoke from the air fryer, placing a small tray underneath can help capture excess fat drippings.
If the chicken skin turns out chewy, try increasing the temperature slightly and extend the cooking time by a few minutes.
For juicy chicken, marinating well with pesto will add both flavor and moisture, preventing dryness.
If you are aiming for crispy skin, ensure the air fryer is preheated properly before cooking.