Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Bites
If you’re looking for a quick and flavorful dinner, this Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken method delivers. Using bite-sized chicken pieces and a homemade sweet and savory teriyaki glaze, this recipe skips the stovetop frying entirely and uses the air fryer to cook the chicken until golden. Once finished, you can serve the sticky, glazed chicken immediately with rice, over noodles, or simply enjoy it as a tasty snack.
Why This Recipe Works
- Quick preparation using bite-sized chicken pieces.
- Short 12-minute cooking time in the air fryer.
- Features a simple, made-from-scratch thickened teriyaki sauce.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Bites
4
servings10
minutes12
minutes22
minutesJuicy, bite-sized chicken chunks cooked until golden in the air fryer, then tossed in a homemade sweet and savory teriyaki glaze.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon mirin
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Sesame seeds
Chopped spring onions
Directions
- Toss the chicken chunks with olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook at 375°F for 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time.
- Verify that the chicken is golden and the thickest piece reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
- While the chicken cooks, combine the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, mirin, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Simmer the sauce mixture for 3 to 4 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
- Stir the slurry into the simmering saucepan and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and toss the cooked chicken bites in the teriyaki sauce until completely coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped spring onions before serving.
Recipe Video
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, tamari can be used instead of standard soy sauce. If you do not have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar works as an alternative. Ensure the chicken pieces remain in a single layer in the basket so they cook evenly.
How to Know When the Chicken is Done
To ensure your chicken is safe and ready to eat, use a digital meat thermometer. Because the chicken is cut into small bites, it cooks through quickly. Check the thickest piece in your air fryer basket to verify that it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F before you toss the meat in the glaze.
Serving Ideas Mentioned in the Recipe
As demonstrated in the recipe, these glossy teriyaki chicken bites are versatile. You can serve them spooned over a warm bowl of rice, tossed into a plate of noodles, or simply plated on their own as a savory snack.
