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Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs are ready in less than 30 minutes with simple spices and my homemade teriyaki sauce. Enjoy this juicy, flavorful main dish on busy weeknights.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Total Time25

Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 377kcal

Author: Davinah

Equipment

Air fryer

Ingredients

1.5 lb Chicken Thighs boneless and skinless
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Natural Ancient Sea Salt
½ tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Garlic Powder
½ tsp Smoked Paprika
1 cup Teriyaki sauce click the link for my homemade recipe

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika together in a small bowl.
Toss the chicken in the spices and oil to coat the chicken evenly. Do not add the teriyaki sauce yet.
Place chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through and nicely browned.
Remove chicken and place in a bowl or serving plate
Spoon or brush with homemade teriyaki sauce.
Serve topped with chopped chives and sesame seeds, if desired.

Notes

Sauce goes on last: Teriyaki sauce contains sugar, which can burn in the air fryer. Adding it after cooking keeps the chicken juicy and the sauce glossy instead of scorched.
Homemade sauce is flexible: My teriyaki sauce works with either brown sugar or a sugar-free brown sugar alternative, so you can use what fits your kitchen without changing the method.
Watch the temperature: Chicken thighs are safe at 165°F, but they’re even more tender around 175–180°F.
Give the chicken space: Cook in a single layer so the pieces brown instead of steaming. If needed, work in batches.
For crispier edges: Let the chicken cook an extra 2–3 minutes before adding the sauce.
Best cut for this recipe: Boneless, skinless thighs cook quickly and evenly. Bone-in thighs will work, but they need more time to crisp the skin.

Nutrition