Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs – Quick & Easy

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 5 minutes.

2. 2

   Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Place in a bowl with the teriyaki sauce (and onion if using) and mix well. Let marinate for at least 5 minutes, up to 1 hour.

3. 3

   Pour the chicken into the air fryer basket, shaking to spread it in a single layer with minimal overlapping.

4. 4

   Cook for 8 minutes total, shaking the basket halfway through (after 4 minutes).

5. 5

   Check for doneness by cutting into the largest piece. If still pink, cook in 1-minute increments until fully cooked.

6. 6

   Serve over a bed of white rice.

Shopping list

680-900g (1.5-2 lbs) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 3/4 cup teriyaki sauce, 1/4 onion (optional)

Recipe story

Chicken teriyaki, though seemingly a modern invention, draws its essence from the Japanese tradition of cooking with sweet-savory sauce, a technique perfected in the kitchens of Buddhist temples. In the 17th century, Dutch merchants brought a soy-based sauce with sugar to Japan, which was embraced by samurai as quick, nourishing fare during campaigns. Today, this recipe reinterprets that heritage in an air fryer, a device that mimics the warm winds of Japanese mountains, keeping the meat tender and succulent. Each chicken thigh becomes a bridge between the samurai's past and the modern diner's quick meal.