Teriyaki Chicken Tenders In Air Fryer

Tangy and sweet, these teriyaki chicken tenders in air fryer are a unique and delicious way to enjoy this classic dish! You’ll love how simple they are to prepare. 

Teriyaki is more than a flavor; it’s a cooking method, including marinating and grilling. These teriyaki chicken tenders are marinated and then air fried rather than grilled, which means they get the same crispy outside while ensuring that the meat is gorgeous and tender.

Air fryer teriyaki chicken tenders are so good because air frying gives the teriyaki glaze a sticky, crisp finish while cooking the tenders to perfection. You’ll love how quickly you can cook chicken in the air fryer, too; only 12 minutes and your chicken tenders will be ready to serve!

The teriyaki chicken marinade is simple to prepare, combining soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger to hit all five flavor notes; sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. Finally, a little cornstarch thickens the sauce and provides the glazed finish synonymous with teriyaki recipes.

Ingredients you’ll need to make teriyaki chicken marinade

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

Sesame oil: Sesame oil helps tenderize the chicken, prevents it from sticking to the air fryer, and adds a slightly nutty flavor to the recipe.

Minced ginger: Ginger adds a fresh, fiery element to the marinade. If you have fresh ginger, you can mince it by grating it on the small side of a box grater. You can also buy ginger paste which works well and doesn’t need any chopping at all!

Mirin: Sweet and bold, mirin is rice wine specifically made for cooking. It complements the soy sauce in the marinade wonderfully.

Low sodium soy sauce: Low sodium soy sauce is a good option for people trying to limit their sodium intake. It also means that you have more control over the final flavor of your teriyaki chicken tenders. You can also use tamari as a gluten-free alternative.

Light brown sugar: Richer than white sugar but not as intense as dark brown sugar, light brown sugar adds the characteristic sweetness to this marinade. You can substitute for other sugars, which will alter the flavor slightly.

Garlic (minced): Garlic is an essential base ingredient for many Asian-inspired recipes like this one. You can buy garlic paste to save on preparation time if you don’t want to use it fresh.

Cornstarch: Cornstarch thickens the teriyaki chicken tenders marinade, giving it the wonderful glazed finish that makes this dish so tasty. You can substitute for arrowroot or potato starch flour.

Sesame seed and green onion: Optional, but they are lovely sprinkled over the top of your homemade teriyaki chicken. 

Chicken tenders: Ensure your chicken tenders are fresh by pressing down on the packet. If the flesh bounces right back, the chicken is fresh! Meat that doesn’t bounce back as quickly is likely to be older.

Tools used to make the recipe.

• Mixing bowls
• Air fryer
• Instant meat thermometer
• Small saucepan

How to make teriyaki chicken marinade?

To make this teriyaki marinade simply in a medium bowl, combine sesame oil, ginger, mirin, soy sauce, sugar, and garlic in a medium bowl. Add the chicken and marinade for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.

How to cook teriyaki chicken tenders in air fryer?

Discard the teriyaki marinade and arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and air fry to 380ºF for 6 minutes on each side or until an internal temperature reaches 165ºF.

Remove from the air fryer and toss with teriyaki sauce.

Recipe tips: 

• To save time, use store-bought teriyaki sauce to toss the chicken after air frying. 
• Avoid marinating longer than 8 hours because it could make the meat tough.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or 6 months in the freezer.

How long to marinade teriyaki chicken?

You’ll need to marinade teriyaki glazed chicken for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours. The longer you leave the chicken to marinate, the more tender it will be and the more the flavors will deepen. 

However, marinating for longer than 8 hours can mean that the meat starts to go tough, so bear this in mind.

What to serve with teriyaki chicken tenders

• Brown rice
• Quinoa
• Broccoli or green beans
• Cucumber ribbons (use a vegetable peeler to create the ribbons)
• Salad

How to store and reheat teriyaki chicken tenders

If you have leftover fried teriyaki chicken tenders, ensure you move them to the fridge or freezer within two hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.

• To store them in the refrigerator, seal them in either an airtight container or a zip-top bag to minimize the amount of air that gets to the meat. Cooked, refrigerated chicken is safe to eat for 3-4 days.
• If freezing, freeze them separately on a baking sheet for around 6 hours before transferring them to a container or zip-top bag, preventing them from sticking together. It’s safe to keep them in the freezer for 2-6 months.

To reheat

The best way to reheat chicken tenders is in the air fryer, as it’s quick and straightforward and keeps the meat nice and moist. Begin by preheating the air fryer to 350°F, then lay out the tenders in the basket (ensuring space for airflow around each one). Heat for 3-5 minutes and flip halfway through. Increase the total time to 12 minutes if you heat them from frozen.

Always use a meat thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving, as cooking times can vary depending on the air fryer model. 

FAQ’S

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Breaded Chicken Tenders In Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Breast 
• Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Drumsticks
• Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Wings

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