Air Fryer Chicken Teriyaki (aka Chicken on a Stick!)

My favorite thing at a Chinese restaurant has got to be chicken teriyaki – or chicken-on-a-stick! The best part is making this Air Fryer Chicken Teriyaki in the air fryer is healthier and so delicious! There’s no oil and less mess!

Traditional chicken teriyaki is actually baked and finished by deep frying – but in the air fryer it’s all one step and – after marinating – only takes 20 minutes of cooking time! And come on – look at that – it looks just like the chicken-on-a-stick from your local Chinese buffet!

Chicken Teriyaki (on a stick) Complete List of Ingredients:

We get this recipe off on the right foot by making a homemade teriyaki sauce – it’s so good! If you like to make Asian food – you’ll have most of these simple ingredients in your pantry already!

• 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup sugar (or brown sugar)
• 2 tbsp pineapple juice
• 1 tbsp white wine or rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp coriander
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp Chinese Five Spice Powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp white pepper
• 2 tsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 3 tbsp Korean BBQ wing sauce
  • I went the easy route and got a Korean BBQ Wing Sauce from the grocery store – it was like $3.
  • If you want to be super authentic – try the Bull Head BBQ.
• 1-2 tbsp Beet Juice/Red Food coloring
  • this is completely optional and is SOLELY to give it the pink/red color. I added a few drops of red food coloring at the end of the marinade
• 6 inch wood skewers – not a food ingredient but it’s a necessary tool

How do you make chicken teriyaki in an air fryer? 

This air fryer teriyaki chicken recipe is super simple and is something the whole family will love!

• Rinse chicken thighs and pat dry with a paper towel
• Lay out boneless skinless thighs on cutting board and cut them in half lengthwise and place in ziplock bag or a large bowl
• Add remaining ingredients into bag with chicken pieces and mush the marinade all around the thighs to mix ingredients together. 
• Let soak in teriyaki marinade overnight in refrigerator
• Using 6 inch wood skewers – skewer the chicken thigh pieces
  • For best results, use the short skewers so you can fit two rows of chicken in your air fryer
• Place skewered chicken pieces in a single layer in air fryer basket. 
• Air fry at 350 for 10 min – use tongs to flip skewers – air fry 10 min more
• Serve over a bed of rice or Asian noodles

These air fryer chicken teriyaki skewers are tender, juicy and delicious!! The marinade packs a punch – there’s so many flavors and they all shine through. 

Can you use chicken breast for Chicken Teriyaki? 

You can also use this delicious teriyaki chicken marinade for any cut of chicken you have – whether it’s chicken breasts, wings or legs – this easy recipe will be perfect for any type of chicken. I love the chicken thighs because they’re juicier and anything on a skewer is just more fun to eat! 

How do you store & reheat chicken teriyaki skewers? 

Store any leftover skewers in an airtight container for up to 7 days in the refrigerator. I like to reheat these in the air fryer at 350 for 5 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

What to serve with this air fryer chicken recipe? 

If you get the chicken in the marinade the night before – this is a great meal any day of the week! Here are some perfect side dishes:

• PF Changs Fried Rice
• Copycat KFC Coleslaw
• Dijon Parmesan Potatoes
• Chinese Buffet Crab Casserole

More easy air fryer recipes & healthy meals 

• Air Fryer Stuffed Pork Chops
• Air Fryer Crispy Tofu
• Air Fryer Orange Chicken