Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Breast

This recipe for Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Breast is quick and flavorful meal idea that tastes better than takeout.

Made with bite-sized pieces of chicken breast lightly tossed in a rich homemade teriyaki sauce, this is simple and satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Why this recipe works.

This easy chicken recipe works so well because the air fryer cooks the chicken quickly and evenly. Every piece comes out lightly crisp on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

Here is what else you will like about this recipe.

• The homemade teriyaki sauce strikes the perfect balance of sweet, savory, tangy, and aromatic goodness.
• This recipe can be made about anywhere that you can plug in an air fryer.
• Air frying is a healthier way to cook without frying in oil.
• This chicken goes perfectly with rice, noodles, or your favorite vegetables.

Have you tried my recipe for Air Fryer Orange Chicken?

Made with perfectly air fried skinless chicken breast bites, that air fryer chicken is served up in a sweet and tangy sauce. Both this recipe for Teriyaki Chicken and that recipe for Orange Chicken are easy and tasty chicken recipes that can be made in an air fryer.

Low-sodium soy sauce is used in making the sauce for this chicken recipes. You can find low-sodium soy sauce here.

Ingredients Needed.

Chicken.

• Chicken Breasts. Boneless and skinless chicken breasts that have been cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Olive Oil. Adds flavor and helps the other ingredients stick to the chicken while allowing to brown while air frying.
• Seasonings. Garlic Powder, Ground Ginger, Salt, and Pepper.

Teriyaki Sauce

• Soy Sauce. Use a Low Sodium Soy Sauce.
• Honey. Fresh honey will be easier to work with.
• Brown Sugar Used for color and sweetness.
• Rice Vinegar. Adds a perfect bite to the sauce.
• Sesame Oil For an authentic taste.
• Garlic Freshly Minced
• Ginger Freshly Minced
• Cornstarch Whisked together with two tablespoons of water to create a slurry for thickening the sauce.

How to make teriyaki chicken in air fryer

• Prep Time 10 minutes .
• Air Fry Time 15 Minutes .
• Servings .
• How to serve : Serve with rice or your favorite vegetables.
• Notes: You will need a bowl and a whisk.

1. Season. In a small bowl using a whisk or in a zip top bag, combine together the olive oil, garlic powder, ground ginger, salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the mixture and toss so that the chicken pieces are coated in the mixture.
2. Air Fry. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Then arrange the chicken in a single layer, leaving room between the chicken for the air to circulate. Air fry six minutes, toss or shake the basket, and then continue to air fryer until the chicken is cooked through and slightly crispy.
3. Sauce. While your chicken is air frying, in a small saucepan on medium heat, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Bring this mixture to a simmer, whisking constantly, and then whisk in the slurry (cornstarch and water mixture). Continue cooking the sauce until it has thickened (about two to three minutes).
4. Toss. Place the air fried chicken into a large bowl. Pour half of the sauce over the chicken and toss the ingredients. Repeat this process with the remaining sauce until the chicken has been fully coated.
5. Serve. Serve your chicken with rice or vegetables. You can garnish it with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

When preparing the chicken, cut the chicken breasts into bite sized pieces that are all similar in size. This will help the chicken cook uniformly. Also, using a clean paper towel to pat the chicken dry will help the seasonings stick better and allow the chicken to get properly crisp.

More helpful tips for you.

1. For even cooking, the chicken can touch but, should not overlap as the air needs to be able to circulate. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to make this recipe in batches.
2. You can make the sauce while the chicken is air frying so that you can serve it while the chicken is still warm. Cooking the sauce to a light simmer helps the flavors blend without reducing it too quickly.
3. You chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest pieces.

FAQ

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
  Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well in this recipe. They’re naturally juicier and slightly more forgiving than chicken breast. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces and cook until they reach 165°F internally.
• How do I keep chicken breast from drying out in the air fryer?
  To keep chicken breast juicy, make sure that you cut it into evenly sized pieces, dab any moisture off the chicken before seasoning it, avoid overcooking, and check for doneness around the 12-minute mark.
• Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
  I like to preheat my air fryer for about five minutes or so to help the chicken cook more evenly and give it a better texture.
• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
  You can prep the chicken and make the sauce ahead of time. For the best texture, I would air fry the chicken fresh and toss it in the sauce just before serving
• Why is my teriyaki sauce too thin?
  If your sauce is too thin, it likely needs a little more time to simmer or a bit more cornstarch slurry. Stir in a small amount of extra slurry and simmer until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Variations.

• Swap the chicken breast for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful option. Chicken thighs stay tender in the air fryer and work perfectly with teriyaki sauce.
• Add a little heat by mixing sriracha, red pepper flakes, or chili garlic sauce into the teriyaki sauce. This creates a sweet and spicy version that’s perfect if you like bold flavors.
• Instead of bite-sized pieces of chicken breast, use chicken tenders or sliced chicken strips for a slightly different texture and presentation.

How to Store Teriyaki Chicken.

Once your chicken has fully cooled, it can be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored, chicken should keep for up to four days refrigerated. I would store it without the sauce and store the sauce separately to keep the chicken structure intact. The chicken can be frozen for up to a couple of months. Again, for the best texture, store the air fried chicken and teriyaki sauce separately, then toss them together after reheating.

You may also be interested in these chicken recipes.

• Easy BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Dutch Oven Chicken Cacciatore
• Air Fryer Whole Chicken Recipe
• Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken Breasts
• 33 Easy Recipes Made With Chicken