Olivia Carter
If you’re a fan of delicious and healthy meals, then you’re going to love this recipe for teriyaki chicken cooked in an air fryer. The air fryer is a fantastic kitchen appliance that allows you to enjoy all the crispiness of deep-fried foods without the unhealthy oils and fats.
Teriyaki chicken is a classic Japanese dish that is known for its sweet and savory flavor. It’s made by marinating chicken in a delicious mixture of soy sauce, mirin, sugar, garlic, and ginger, and then grilling or frying it until it’s perfectly cooked.
With an air fryer, you can achieve the same crispy and delicious results without the need for a grill or deep fryer. The air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook the chicken evenly and quickly, resulting in juicy and tender meat with a beautifully caramelized teriyaki glaze.
Not only is this recipe incredibly tasty, but it’s also incredibly easy to make. In just a few simple steps, you’ll have a mouthwatering dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or added to salads, rice bowls, or stir-fries. So let’s get started and learn how to cook teriyaki chicken in an air fryer!
Prepare the Chicken:
Before cooking the teriyaki chicken in an air fryer, you’ll need to prepare the chicken first. Follow these steps:
1. Choose the Right Chicken:
Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs for the best results. Make sure to trim any excess fat from the chicken before cooking.
2. Marinate the Chicken:
Prepare a marinade by combining soy sauce, minced garlic, ginger, honey, and sesame oil in a bowl. Place the chicken in a ziplock bag or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for maximum flavor.
Tips: You can also add a dash of rice vinegar or mirin to enhance the taste of the marinade.
3. Pat Dry the Chicken:
Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat it dry using paper towels. This step is important to ensure that the chicken gets crispy in the air fryer.
Tips: Reserve the marinade for basting or as a sauce for the cooked chicken.
4. Season the Chicken:
Season the chicken with salt and pepper or any other desired seasonings. You can also add a sprinkle of cornstarch to the chicken to make it extra crispy.
Note: It’s important to season the chicken just before cooking to prevent it from becoming too salty or losing its moisture.
By following these preparation steps, you’ll be ready to cook the teriyaki chicken in the air fryer for a flavorful and crispy result.
Marinate the chicken
To achieve that delicious teriyaki flavor, it’s important to marinate the chicken before cooking it in the air fryer. Marinating helps to infuse the chicken with the sweet and savory teriyaki sauce, making it more tender and flavorful.
Here’s how to marinate the chicken:
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Mix well until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a zip-top bag or a glass dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure it is fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the marinated chicken in the refrigerator and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for maximum flavor.
Marinating the chicken will not only infuse it with flavor but also tenderize it, making it juicier and more delicious when cooked. Remember to discard the marinade after marinating the chicken, as it can contain raw chicken juices.
Now that the chicken is marinated and ready to go, it’s time to cook it in the air fryer to perfection!
Preheat the Air Fryer
Before cooking the teriyaki chicken in the air fryer, it’s important to preheat the appliance. This step ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and achieves a crispy texture on the outside.
Step 1: Plug in the Air Fryer
First, find a suitable location for your air fryer near an electrical outlet. Plug in the appliance and make sure it is securely connected.
Step 2: Set the Temperature
Next, set the temperature on the air fryer to the desired level. For teriyaki chicken, a temperature of 375°F (190°C) is recommended. Use the temperature control buttons on the appliance to adjust the temperature accordingly.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
Allow the air fryer to preheat for about 3-5 minutes. During this time, the appliance will reach the set temperature and be ready for cooking. Some air fryers have a preheat indicator light that turns off when the preheating process is complete.
Preheating the air fryer ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and achieves a crispy texture on the outside. It also reduces the cooking time required, resulting in a quicker meal preparation process.
Cook the Chicken:
Once you have marinated the chicken for at least 30 minutes, it’s time to cook it in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket
Remove the basket from the air fryer and lightly coat it with cooking spray. This will prevent the chicken from sticking to the basket and help achieve a crispy texture.
Step 2: Arrange the Chicken in the Air Fryer
Place the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave some space between the pieces for even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can result in unevenly cooked chicken.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Place the basket back into the air fryer and cook the chicken at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken pieces and the air fryer model you are using.
Keep an eye on the chicken while it cooks to prevent it from burning. If you notice that the chicken is browning too quickly, you can lower the temperature or reduce the cooking time slightly.
As the chicken cooks, you’ll start to smell the delicious teriyaki aroma filling the air. The high heat of the air fryer will help create a caramelized glaze on the outside of the chicken while keeping the inside moist and flavorful.
Once the chicken is done cooking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier and more tender final dish.
Now that your teriyaki chicken is perfectly cooked, you can serve it as a main dish with steamed rice and vegetables, or use it as a filling for sandwiches, wraps, or salads. Enjoy!
Place the chicken in the Air Fryer
Once you have marinated the chicken, it’s time to cook it in the Air Fryer. The Air Fryer provides a healthier alternative to traditional frying, as it uses very little oil. Follow these simple steps to cook the teriyaki chicken in the Air Fryer:
Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer
Start by preheating the Air Fryer to the recommended temperature. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
Step 2: Arrange the chicken in the Air Fryer basket
Next, place the marinated chicken in the Air Fryer basket. Make sure to arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
Step 3: Set the cooking time and temperature
Set the cooking time and temperature according to the recipe or the Air Fryer’s instructions. For teriyaki chicken, a recommended cooking time is usually around 15-20 minutes at a temperature of 375°F (190°C).
Step 4: Flip the chicken halfway through
Halfway through the cooking time, flip the chicken pieces using tongs or a spatula. This will help to ensure that both sides of the chicken are cooked evenly and have a nice crispy texture.
Step 5: Check for doneness
Check the chicken for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure that it is fully cooked.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy
Once the chicken is done, carefully remove it from the Air Fryer. Serve the teriyaki chicken with steamed rice, vegetables, or any other side dishes you prefer. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for extra flavor. Enjoy your delicious and healthy teriyaki chicken!
Set the cooking time and temperature
Once you have preheated your air fryer and prepared the teriyaki chicken, it’s time to set the cooking time and temperature. This step is crucial to ensure that your chicken is cooked to perfection.
First, refer to the recipe or manufacturer’s instructions to determine the recommended cooking time and temperature for teriyaki chicken in the air fryer.
The cooking temperature for teriyaki chicken typically ranges from 350°F (175°C) to 400°F (200°C). Adjust the temperature based on the desired level of crispiness and juiciness you prefer.
Next, set the cooking time. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken pieces and the desired level of doneness. As a general guideline, boneless chicken breasts may take around 15-18 minutes, while bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks may take 20-25 minutes.
Always remember to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning and cooking on both sides.
To set the cooking time and temperature on your air fryer, refer to the control panel or knobs. Most air fryers have a digital interface where you can easily adjust the time and temperature settings.
Once you have set the cooking time and temperature, press the start button to begin the cooking process.
FAQ
What is teriyaki chicken?
Teriyaki chicken is a popular Japanese dish that involves marinating chicken in a sweet and savory sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, and then grilling or broiling it until it is glazed and caramelized.
Can I cook teriyaki chicken in an air fryer?
Yes, you can absolutely cook teriyaki chicken in an air fryer. The air fryer uses hot circulating air to cook the chicken, giving it a crispy exterior while keeping it juicy on the inside. It’s a healthy and convenient way to make teriyaki chicken.
