If you love succulent grilled chicken but don’t want to overheat standing over a hot grill, these air fryer teriyaki chicken skewers are for you!
These air fryer teriyaki chicken skewers have the perfect balance of sweet and umami flavors, characteristic of this Japanese-inspired dish. Low in calories yet high in protein, chicken skewers are simple to prepare and excellent as a light meal on a warm summer's night.
Air fryer teriyaki chicken kabobs are juicy every time because the rapid hot air circulation seals in the meat’s natural juices. At the same time, the air fryer gently caramelizes the sticky teriyaki marinade and gently crisps the outside for chicken that tastes just like it has come off the grill!
You’ll love how soy sauce, light brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and sweet mirin combine to create the marinade for these teriyaki chicken skewers. Although it’s quick and simple to prepare, this dish tastes like its restaurant quality.
Ingredients for teriyaki chicken skewers
**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**
- Chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch pieces) are the perfect choice for teriyaki chicken kabobs because they have a richer flavor than other cuts of chicken. They are also high in protein, meaning they help you to feel full for longer, which can be helpful if you are watching your calorie intake.
- Mirin is a rice wine, similar to sake but with higher sugar and lower alcohol content. It adds a sweet umami flavor to your marinade. You can buy mirin in the international foods section of your local grocery store or online, or you could use dry white wine or rice vinegar as a substitute.
- Low-sodium soy sauce has all the flavor of soy sauce with less salt, which means you can control the sodium levels in your food. You can substitute it for regular soy sauce if you can’t find it.
- Light brown sugar means the teriyaki marinade for chicken kabobs caramelizes in the air fryer! You can substitute white or brown sugar, which will alter the flavor slightly.
- Sesame oil adds a slightly nutty undertone to this dish and is also a source of antioxidants, which help prevent inflammation and disease. You can substitute sesame oil for olive oil or walnut oil.
- Minced ginger is where this marinade gets its fiery freshness!
- Minced garlic is a crucial ingredient for most marinades! Try ready chopped jarred or frozen garlic to cut down on preparation time.
- Sesame seed and green onion are a tasty garnish! Some other options are chopped nuts or dried crispy onions.
Tools used to make the recipe
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How to make teriyaki chicken kabobs in air fryer?
Make the marinade: Combine mirin, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, sugar, and garlic in a medium bowl. Set aside
Marinate Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to a large bowl, add the mixture and toss to coat. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
Air Fry: Discard marinade and thread the chicken onto skewers. Arrange the skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook to 380ºF for 6 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer registers 165ºF.
Serve: Brush the chicken skewers with teriyaki sauce. Sprinkle it with sesame seeds and green onion. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips:
- Marinating helps the meat to absorb more flavor; make sure to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Leftovers could be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350ºF for 5 minutes or until heated through. Brush with teriyaki sauce before serving.
How long to cook chicken skewers in air fryer
It takes around 6 minutes per side at 380°F to cook teriyaki chicken skewers in air fryer. The exact cooking time will depend on how big your chunks of chicken are and on which model of air fryer you are using.
To ensure that your chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F, use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat.
What to serve with Teriyaki chicken kabobs
- Instant pot brown rice
- Healthy black bean and corn salsa
- Air fryer plantains
- Instant pot quinoa
- Air Fryer Green beans
- Air Fryer Broccoli
How to store and reheat chicken kabobs
Store leftover chicken teriyaki kabobs in the fridge or freezer.
- To store them in the fridge, seal them in an airtight container and move them into the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking to avoid bacterial growth. Use refrigerated cooked chicken within 3-4 days.
- To freeze, remove the meat from the skewers and lay it on a baking sheet. Freeze for 6 hours, then transfer to a ziptop bag or container (freezing first prevents the pieces from sticking together). Use frozen cooked chicken within 2-6 months.
The best way to reheat your kabobs is in the air fryer, which won’t dry out the meat.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and lay out the pieces in a single layer, then heat for around 5-6 minutes, turning over halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check that the meat has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving, and if reheating from frozen, you will need to increase the time by 5-10 minutes.
You can also use the stovetop or oven, although you must defrost the chicken first.
- On the stovetop, heat a large pan with the bottom covered with water over medium heat, and then add the chicken and put the lid on. Heat for around 6 minutes until the meat reaches a safe internal temperature.
- To reheat the chicken in the oven, begin by preheating it to 400°F. While the oven is heating, take the chicken out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. Then, put the chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet and put it in the oven for around 15 minutes until it reaches a safe internal temperature.
FAQ’S
What are the best skewers to use in the air fryer?
Depending on the size of your air fryer, these bamboo skewers are a great choice, or if you prefer a reusable option, these stainless steel skewers work well.
If you’re using your air fryer quite a bit, this air fryer skewers set is worth considering, which contains everything you could ever want!
Can you marinate chicken in teriyaki sauce?
Yes. Marinating your chicken teriyaki skewers creates a beautiful deep flavor. Ensure you marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours (no longer than that, as it can make the meat go tough).
How long to soak skewer sticks?
Soak bamboo skewers for at least 30 minutes before using them in the air fryer, as this prevents them from singeing during cooking.
Can you freeze teriyaki chicken skewers?
You can, but be sure to remove the teriyaki chicken kabob meat from the skewers before freezing! You can keep cooked chicken in the freezer for 2-6 months.
More Air Fryer Skewers Recipes
Air Fryer Shrimp and Steaks Kabobs
Sausage and Shrimp Kabobs in Air Fryer
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Teriyaki Chicken Skewers in Air Fryer
Yield: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Additional Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 52 minutes
These air fryer teriyaki chicken skewers have the perfect balance of sweet and umami flavors, characteristic of this Japanese-inspired dish. Low in calories yet high in protein, chicken skewers are simple to prepare and excellent as a light meal on a warm summer's night.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup mirin
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce
- Sesame seed and green onion to garnish, optional.
Tools
Instructions
- Combine mirin, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, sugar, and garlic in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Add the chicken pieces to a large bowl, add the mixture and toss to coat. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
- Discard marinade and thread the chicken onto skewers. Arrange the skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook to 380ºF for 6 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer registers 165ºF.
- Brush the chicken skewers with teriyaki sauce. Sprinkle it with sesame seeds and green onion. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Marinating helps the meat to absorb more flavor; make sure to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Leftovers could be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350ºF for 5 minutes or until heated through. Brush with teriyaki sauce before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Serving Size: 1 skewer
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 430Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 164mgSodium: 707mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 40g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.
