Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

This Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs recipe makes an incredible weeknight dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes. It uses a simple homemade teriyaki sauce, and the flavor is so good you’ll never crave takeout versions again.

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In this easy air fryer teriyaki chicken, tender boneless thighs are tossed in a sweet, savory glaze made with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and sugar. The meat turns out juicy with a bold umami punch, thanks to the thick, flavorful sauce—very similar to the popular bang bang chicken but even simpler.

It’s easily one of the most flavorful air fryer chicken recipes you’ll make, and the best part is that it’s made without bottled sauces, mirin, or any specialty ingredients. Yet somehow, it still tastes like something you’d get from Panda Express. If you want a vegetarian take, try the no-press teriyaki tofu recipe.

Marinade vs Sauce?

A sauce is generally thinner and used for drizzling or serving alongside the dish, while a marinade is thicker and meant to flavor the chicken, pork, fish, or shrimp before cooking. This version works double duty—it starts as a marinade and becomes the glaze that coats the chicken later on.

Reasons to love

The deep “umami” or savory flavor comes from glutamates—essential amino acids naturally present in protein-rich foods. This is what makes dishes taste comforting and crave-worthy.

The homemade teriyaki sauce balances sweetness from the sugar with the salty, fermented complexity of soy sauce. Soy sauce contains a high concentration of natural glutamates both from the soybeans themselves and from the fermentation bacteria, which is why it enhances the overall savoriness so much.

Ingredients you’ll need

Scroll down to the recipe card for the full breakdown of amounts and instructions.

• Chicken – Boneless, skinless thighs are ideal (just like in grilled chicken thigh recipes or any dish using dark meat). Thighs have more connective tissue, natural collagen, and fat than white meat, so they cook up juicy and are almost impossible to overcook.
• Soy sauce – Regular soy sauce (not light or dark) adds the perfect salty backbone to the glaze.
• Sugar – Sugar caramelizes quickly when heated, giving the sauce its deep brown color and rich flavor.
• Cornstarch – Helps thicken the sauce and gives it that glossy finish.
• Ginger – Adds a warm, slightly spicy aroma that brightens the sauce.
• Garlic – When grated and cooked, garlic becomes sweet and mellow, adding depth without overpowering the glaze.

How to make teriyaki chicken in the air fryer

1. Make the sauce – Combine soy sauce, sugar, grated ginger, garlic, and ground black pepper until the sugar is mostly dissolved.

2. Marinate the chicken – Coat the chicken thighs with half the teriyaki mixture and let them rest for about 30 minutes if you have the time.

👉 You don’t need a long marinade here. The best flavor boost comes from brushing the thickened teriyaki sauce halfway through cooking and again at the very end. This gives the chicken that sticky, flavorful coating everyone loves.

3 & 4. Air fry – Place the thighs smooth-side down in a preheated 400°F air fryer. Cook for 7 minutes, brush with sauce, flip, brush again, and cook another 6–7 minutes. Finish with a final coating of sauce.

Tips:
Using chicken breasts? Air fry at 380°F for 6 minutes per side or until fully cooked. You can find more timing tips in our air fryer chicken guide.

Thicken the sauce – Mix the remaining sauce with cornstarch, bring to a low boil, and cook for about 30 seconds. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

Serving suggestions

Serve your air fryer teriyaki chicken with white or brown rice, steamed broccoli, green beans, fried rice, or easy garlic butter ramen noodles. It works beautifully as a quick 30-minute meal or even as a Mother’s Day dinner idea.

If you love simple, flavorful meals, try our collection of easy air fryer dinners or the popular whole chicken in the air fryer.