Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
This gluten-free Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken recipe is quick, flavorful, and perfect for a wholesome meal. Marinated in a savory soy and ginger mixture, it’s cooked to crispy perfection in the air fryer.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl
- Pan
Ingredients
- 3 – 4 chicken thighs or chicken breasts approximately 680g - 1kg
- ¼ cup light soy sauce (60ml)
- ¼ cup mirin (60ml)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tsp ginger minced
- 4 tbsp brown sugar (50g)
- 3 tsp cornstarch (8g)
- sesame seeds for garnish
- green onion for garnish
Instructions
- Start by mixing the soy sauce, mirin, minced garlic, minced ginger, and brown sugar in a bowl. You will notice the sweet and savory aroma wafting up. This marinade is key for flavor, so do not skip it. A common mistake is not letting the chicken soak long enough for the flavors to really shine.
- Next, add the chicken thighs or breasts to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Let them sit for at least 30 minutes, but longer is better for deeper flavor. You will see the marinade starting to soak in. Be careful not to overlook this step, as rushing can lead to less flavorful chicken.
- While the chicken marinates, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). You will want it nice and hot when the chicken goes in. Preheating ensures you get that crispy exterior. Forgetting this can leave your chicken lacking that great texture.
- Before cooking, remove the chicken from the marinade and sprinkle cornstarch on both sides. This gives the chicken a lovely crunch. You will feel it starting to stick on the chicken. Skipping this step can result in less crispiness, so do not miss out.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through, checking at the halfway mark. The delicious smell will fill your kitchen. This method keeps the chicken juicy while adding that nice crisp. Just be cautious not to overcrowd the basket, or the chicken will not cook evenly.
- Once cooked, sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onion over the chicken for some extra flair. You will love the visual pop of color. Serve it up on a bed of rice with steamed broccoli for a wholesome meal. Just do not forget to check the chicken's doneness to avoid any surprises!
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If marinating overnight, use a mix of low-sodium soy sauce and sugar-free sweetener for flavor without spiking blood sugar.
When air frying, keep the chicken spaced out to allow even cooking and prevent steaming, which leads to dryness.
For a thicker sauce, simmer on low for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until it reaches the desired consistency.
If caramelization is lacking, a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) combined with an additional 2-3 minutes of cooking can help finish it off nicely.
For a balanced meal, seasoned vegetables can be placed in the air fryer with the chicken; just cut them to similar sizes for even cooking.