Air fryer teriyaki chicken is such a flavorful dish featuring tender, juicy chicken coated in a sticky, sweet-and-savory glaze. This whole chicken, made in the air fryer, caramelizes the teriyaki sauce, resulting in a slightly charred, crispy skin similar to grilling. Air frying always makes the most deliciously tender chicken. Try some of our other air fryer recipes like this Air Fryer Curry Chicken or this Jalapeño Lime Chicken.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
A flavor profile the whole family will love: with a savory, sweet, and sticky glaze, enhanced with garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
Convenience: The high heat of the air fryer cooks the chicken quickly while creating a “grilled” texture without the need for a BBQ.
It’s Paleo and Whole30: Having no gluten, grains, or dairy, it is the perfect dish if you need to keep it Paleo or Whole30 friendly.
Ingredients You Will Need
Whole chicken: is an uncut, bird with the carcass intact for roasting, baking, or breaking down into parts. I like Grass Roots Coop for my meat purchases.
Teriyaki coconut aminos: is a gluten free and soy-free alternative to traditional soy sauce with spices like ginger and garlic added.
Sesame oil: commonly used in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, it is derived from sesame seeds.
Garlic: adds a savory note that enhances the dish with its bold and aromatic flavor.
Ginger: imparts a zesty, warm flavor that elevates the overall taste with a hint of spiciness and a deep aroma.
Rice vinegar: is a mild, slightly sweet, low-acid condiment made from fermented rice.
Chinese five spice: is a traditional Chinese blend that combines five spices to create a balance of sweet, bitter, salty, sour, and pungent flavors. I like Primal Palate.
Lime: are a small, green citrus fruit know for its sour taste and high vitamin C content.
Sesame seeds: are tiny, nutrient-dense oil seeds having a rich, nutty flavor.
Instructions
Whisk the sauce ingredients: in a small bowl.
Wearing rubber gloves: carefully lift the chicken skin on both sides of the bird and pat it dry with paper towels.
Brush the marinade: under and over the skin of the entire chicken. Do not discard the remaining sauce.
Cover the chicken and let marinate in the fridge: for several hours or over night for optimal flavor.
Place the chicken breast side down: in your air fryer set to 375˚ for 30 minutes.
Carefully flip the chicken over: and brush remaining marinade over the chicken and cook an additional 25 minutes. (The skin does get a charred coloring from the sweet sauce but does not taste burnt.)
Rest the chicken for 10-15 minutes: before cutting to allow the juices to redistribute.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds: and serve with lime wedges as garnish.
Enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Make extra marinade: if you want a dipping sauce! Add the marinade to a pan and whisk in one tablespoon of arrowroot or tapioca flour and cook till it thickens.
You can cut the chicken up: into pieces prior to air frying if you prefer. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
If you don’t care for the charred skin: you can skip the marinating and brush the sauce on in the last 10 minutes of cooking. Keep in mind the chicken will not have as strong a flavor profile when doing this.
Recipe Variations
No Chinese five spice: try adding a pinch of cinnamon, ground cloves, red pepper flakes and star anise.
Chicken breast: with the rib bones and skin are a great alternative to a whole chicken.
Storage Tips
You can store the air fryer teriyaki chicken in the fridge for 4 days when placed in an airtight glass container.
FAQ’s About Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
How do I get a thick glaze?
Simmer the teriyaki marinade with a little arrowroot powder in a small saucepan on the stove until it reduces and thickens to your liking.
What if the chicken is browning too fast?
If the outside is getting too dark but the inside isn’t done, lower the temperature by 25°F or lightly cover the chicken with a small piece of foil to protect the skin.
What should I serve with air fryer teriyaki chicken?
I like to serve it with roasted veggies like broccoli and carrots. It is also pairs well with cauliflower rice or rice depending on your dietary preference.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
- Wearing rubber gloves, carefully lift the chicken skin on both sides of the bird. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Brush the marinade under and over the skin of the entire chicken. Do not discard the remaining sauce.
- Cover the chicken and let marinate in the fridge for several hours or overnight for optimal flavor.
- Place the chicken breast side down in your air fryer set at 375 degrees and cook for 30 minutes.
- Carefully flip the chicken and brush the remaining marinade over the chicken and cook for another 25 minutes. (The skin does get a charred coloring from the sweet sauce but it does not taste burnt.)
- Rest the chicken for 10-15 minutes before cutting to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Serve with lime wedges for a splash of citrus and garnish with sesame seeds if desired.
- Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!What if the chicken is browning too fast?
