Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
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Succulent Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs: A 25-Minute Japanese-Inspired Delight

Introduction

Bring the savory-sweet flavors of Japan to your dinner table with our Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs recipe! This dish combines the umami-rich taste of teriyaki sauce with juicy chicken thighs, all achieved with the convenience of air frying. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an ideal choice for a quick yet satisfying weeknight dinner that will transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Tokyo.

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs on a white gold-rimmed ceramic plate with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and flavorful: Ready in just 25 minutes
  • Healthier option: Uses minimal oil while delivering authentic teriyaki taste
  • Versatile: Great on its own, with steamed rice, or in a stir-fry
  • Family-friendly: A crowd-pleasing flavor that both kids and adults will enjoy

Ingredients

For the chicken:

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs total)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the teriyaki sauce:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)

Optional for garnish: sesame seeds, sliced green onions

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs Ingredients laid out on the white marble countertop.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

Pro Tip: The Cosori Air Fryer ensures perfectly crispy skin while allowing the teriyaki sauce to caramelize beautifully!

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then rub them with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side up, ensuring they don’t overlap.
  4. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken thighs.
  5. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the teriyaki sauce. In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  6. Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce, stirring constantly until it thickens (about 1-2 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.
  7. After flipping the chicken, cook for an additional 5-7 minutes.
  8. Brush the chicken thighs generously with the teriyaki sauce and cook for 3 more minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the sauce is caramelized.
  9. Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
  10. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired, and serve with extra teriyaki sauce on the side.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs Collage

Tips for Success

  • For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken in some of the teriyaki sauce for 2-4 hours before cooking.
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary for the best results.
  • Reserve some teriyaki sauce for serving to boost the flavor even more.

Variations

  • Spicy Teriyaki: Add 1 teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a kick of heat.
  • Pineapple Teriyaki: Add 1/4 cup of pineapple juice to the sauce and garnish with grilled pineapple chunks.
Side-by-side images of regular Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs and the pineapple teriyaki variation on white gold-rimmed plates

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 340
  • Protein: 25g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Fat: 22g
  • Fiber: 0.5g

Serving Suggestions

Serve these Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs with steamed jasmine rice and stir-fried vegetables for a complete, Japanese-inspired meal. For an extra special presentation, use these elegant White and Gold Serving Platters.

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs plated with steamed jasmine rice and stir-fried vegetables on a white and gold rimmed platter

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container like these Glass Food Storage Containers (affiliate link) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-6 minutes, or until heated through.

Related Recipes

If you enjoyed this Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs recipe, you might also like these recipes from our Air Fryer Chicken collection:

For more delicious air fryer chicken recipes, check out our Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Round-up Post or explore our Air Fryer Chicken Breast Round-up Post for a variety of air fryer chicken dishes.

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs Conclusion

We hope this Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs recipe brings the delicious flavors of Japan to your dinner table! It’s a perfect example of how air frying can create restaurant-quality meals with minimal effort and time. Don’t forget to share your teriyaki creations with us on social media and let us know your favorite way to serve these succulent chicken thighs in the comments below.

Close-up of a bite of Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs plated with steamed jasmine rice and stir-fried vegetables on a white and gold rimmed platter on a gold fork

Happy air frying!


This recipe is part of our Air Fryer Chicken series. Discover more air fryer chicken recipes in our [Link to Air Fryer Chicken Round-up Post] or explore all our air fryer chicken collections in our [Link to Master Air Fryer Chicken Round-up Post].

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