Air fryer Teriyaki Chicken

These teriyaki chicken bites in air fryer are loaded with flavour and make for a perfect main.

These make a lovely meal with some rice and salad.

Teriyaki chicken from takeout is made healthier and fresher using this air fryer version.

I really prefer this to ordering from outside.

You can have it as an appetizer or make it for a weekend dinner.

You may also like Healthy chicken meatballs in air fryer, KFC copycat Air fryer fried chicken, air fryer chicken cutlets, crispy Air fryer chicken wings and Healthy chicken tenders in air fryer.

Teriyaki Sauce from Scratch

I have shared the recipe for making teriyaki sauce from scratch in the recipe card.

It is actually pretty easy to do if you have the ingredients in your pantry.

Just mix them together and you have the sauce ready in no time.

You could also use store bought sauce if you so desire.

Variations and Substitutions

1. Tofu: For a vegan option, replace chicken with firm tofu.

Make sure to press the tofu to remove excess moisture before marinating.
2. Shrimp: Swap out chicken for shrimp if you love seafood.

Adjust the cooking time as shrimp cook faster.
3. Beef: Cubed beef can be a delicious substitution for chicken for a richer flavor.

4. Gluten Free: Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce in the teriyaki marinade.

5. Add Heat: Spice up your teriyaki sauce with some chili flakes or Sriracha.

6. Try Vegetables: Mix in vegetables like bell peppers, snow peas, or broccoli to add variety and color.

7. Low-Sodium Option: Use low-sodium soy sauce or reduce the amount of soy sauce in the marinade.

8. Sweetener Options: Instead of sugar, you can use honey, maple syrup, or stevia.

9. Grain-Free Serving Options: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a low-carb or grain-free meal.

10. Paleo Friendly: Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and honey instead of sugar to make it Paleo-friendly.

Serving Suggestions

1. Steamed Rice: Classic white or brown rice is a perfect accompaniment to these marinated chicken cubes in teriyaki sauce.

Fried rice works well too.

2. Stir Fried Vegetables: Sauté some bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, or carrots for a tasty side.

3. Cauliflower Rice: For a low-carb option, serve the teriyaki chicken over cauliflower rice.

4. Noodle Bowls: Consider using soba noodles, udon, or rice noodles as a base.

Add some scallions and sesame seeds, and you've got a tasty noodle bowl.

5. Salad: For a lighter meal, serve the chicken with a light salad.

6. Sprinkle Sesame Seeds: A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds a nice crunch and flavor.

7. Serve as Lettuce Wraps: Place the teriyaki chicken bites in lettuce cups along with julienned carrots, cucumber, and a drizzle of sauce for a tasty wrap.

8. Kimchi: Serve with kimchi for a spicy hit.

Storage

The prepared chicken can be stored in air-tight container in the fridge for upto 3 days.

You can also freeze it for a month in the freezer.

Reheat in air fryer before consuming.

Serving suggestions

These make for a delightful main dish. Pair them with Asian noodles, fried rice, smashed potatoes or just plain boiled rice.

They are delicious and super flavorful.

Instructions

Prepare teriyaki sauce by combining together soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ginger, garlic and pepper.

Or use store-bought sauce. Keep half aside and marinate boneless skinless chicken cubes in the remaining half marinade.

Preheat Air fryer to 400 F or 200 C for 4 minutes.

Lay the marinated chicken cubes in air fryer basket after brushing them with oil.

Air fry at 400 F for about 8-10 minutes till the chicken is perfectly cooked.

If you wish to you can baste the cooking chicken with the thickened marinade (add cornstarch dissolved in water to the reserved marinade) that you have reserved.

This will enhance the taste of the chicken and also give it a glossy look.

Once the chicken is done, take it out and serve after garnishing with sesame seeds.

Expert Tips

1. You can use chicken cubes from either the breast or thighs. Make sure not to overcook them.

2. Always cut them into equal sizes for uniform cooking.

3. You can also use drumsticks or wings but adjust the cooking time accordingly.

4. Pepper can be excluded but I like my sauce to be punchy hence add it.

5. You can use half the marinade for making the thick sauce to drizzle over the done chicken.

This is done by adding cornstarch in water along with sesame oil and adding it to the marinade.

Heat it in a sauce pan or use this thick slurry to baste your chicken when it is cooking for a glossy glaze.

6. I like to make a thick sauce then I then drizzle over the done chicken

7. You could use mirin in place of rice wine vinegar.

8. If using artificial sweetener make sure that it is suitable to cook with at high temperatures.

Here's the recipe card:

📖 Recipe Card

Teriyaki Chicken in Air fryer

Rachna Parmar

This delicious air fryer teriyaki chicken bites is a healthier version of takeout. Air frying helps in keeping the calories lower. Very easy recipe.

5 from 56 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Marination time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Japanese

Servings 4

Calories 206 kcal

Equipment

• Philips Air fryer

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast cut into cubes or 500 gm.

For teriyaki sauce

• ½ cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp. honey or sugar substitute
• 1 tsp. garlic crushed
• 1 tsp. ginger crushed
• 1 tsp. pepper optional

For sauce or glaze

• 1 tbsp. cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp. water
• 1 tsp. sesame oil

For garnish

• 1 tsp. sesame seeds

Instructions

 

• Mix together soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey, ginger, garlic and pepper to make teriyaki sauce. Take half of it and marinate the chicken cubes in it. I like to marinate them for about an hour in the fridge.
• The remaining marinade is for a thick sauce or for basting during air frying.
• Preheat air fryer at 400 F or 200 C for 4 minutes.
• Lay the marinated chicken cubes in one layer on the air fryer basket. Air fry for about 8-10 minutes till cooked.
• If you wish to you can baste the cooking chicken with the thickened marinade that you have reserved. This will enhance the taste of the chicken and also give it a glossy look.
• Once the chicken is done, take it out and serve after garnishing with sesame seeds.
• I like to cook the reserved marinade to a thick sauce by adding cornstarch dissolved in water to it and 1 tsp. sesame oil.
• Just cook for a minute till it is thick. Then spoon over your done chicken for a glossy flavorful sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve hot with noodles or rice.

Notes

1. You can use chicken cubes from either the breast or thighs. Make sure not to overcook them.
2. Always cut them into equal sizes for uniform cooking.
3. You can also use drumsticks or wings but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
4. Pepper can be excluded but I like my sauce to be punchy hence add it.
5. You can use half the marinade for making the thick sauce to drizzle over the done chicken. This is done by adding cornstarch in water along with sesame oil and adding it to the marinade. Heat it in a sauce pan or use this thick slurry to baste your chicken when it is cooking for a glossy glaze.
6. I like to make a thick sauce then I then drizzle over the done chicken
7. You could use mirin in place of rice wine vinegar.
8. If using artificial sweetener make sure that it is suitable to cook with at high temperatures.

Nutrition

Calories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 28gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 1753mgPotassium: 507mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 41IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @rachna.parmar or tag #rachnacooks

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