Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

These Air-Fried Teriyaki Chicken Thighs make the perfect weeknight dinner. The chicken thighs are coated in a homemade teriyaki sauce and then cooked in the air fryer until tender and juicy.

The next time you are craving some Asian food, skip the takeout and make this delicious dinner recipe instead.

If you like this recipe, then you'll love Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs and Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon.

Why I Love These Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

1. Crispy & Sticky: The air fryer creates a crispy yet sticky exterior that keeps the chicken juicy.
2. Super Simple: This recipe requires just a handful of simple ingredients and is ready in less than 30 minutes.
3. Family Favorite: Everyone will love these air fryer chicken thighs, they are full of fantastic teriyaki flavor.

Here's what readers are saying about this air fryer chicken recipe:

Ingredient Notes

• Chicken thighs. I used boneless skinless chicken thighs because the dark meat adds extra flavor. You can also use bone-in thighs or chicken breasts if you like.
• Soy sauce. I used regular soy sauce, but you could also use low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos.
• Ginger and Garlic. Fresh ginger and garlic are finely diced, but you could use ¼ teaspoon of ginger powder and ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
• Vinegar: I used rice wine vinegar, but you could also use white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or a splash of lemon or lime juice.
• Brown sugar. You could also use cane sugar, coconut sugar, raw sugar, or honey.
• Thickener. A slurry made with cornstarch and water thicken the homemade teriyaki sauce beautifully.
• Garnishes. Sesame seeds and chopped green onions add a nice pop of color, but they are optional.

How To Make Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

This is a simple step-by-step guide. For exact instructions, jump to the full recipe card or watch the video below.

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken Thighs

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, ginger, garlic, rice wine vinegar, onion powder, and brown sugar. Reserve ⅓ cup of this marinade for later use and set aside.
2. Place the chicken thighs in a large Ziploc bag or back in the mixing bowl. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, seal the bag or cover the bowl, and let the chicken marinate for 15-30 minutes.

Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken Thighs

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Using tongs, place the marinated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Discard any leftover marinade that was in contact with raw chicken.
2. Air fry the chicken for 7 minutes at 400 degrees F.
3. While the chicken is cooking, combine the reserved ⅓ cup of marinade with water and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Once thickened, divide the sauce in half. Half will be used for glazing and the other half will be used for serving.

Step 3: Glaze the Chicken Thighs

1. After the initial 7 minutes of cooking, brush each chicken thigh with 1 tablespoon of the thickened teriyaki sauce reserved for glazing. Flip the chicken over and apply the sauce to the other side.
2. Air fry the chicken for another 6 minutes at 400 degrees F, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F, measured with a meat thermometer.

Step 4: Serve

1. Remove the chicken from the air fryer with tongs and serve with a spoonful of hot teriyaki glaze on top.
2. Serve the chicken on a bed of rice with your favorite veggies. Garnish with white sesame seeds and chopped green onion. Enjoy!

Side Dishes

I love pairing these teriyaki chicken thighs in a bowl with Instant Pot Rice, brown rice, wild rice, or cauliflower rice along with Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower, Air Fryer Green Beans, or Air Fryer Roasted Carrots.

It also goes nicely with a side of Smoked Corn on the Cob and either Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes, or Oven-Roasted Potatoes.

Storage Tips & Reheating

Refrigerator: Store leftover air fryer chicken teriyaki in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Freezer. Freeze leftovers in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.

Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer on the REHEAT setting for about 5 minutes until heated through.