Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs – Crispy Easy Air Fry Recipes for Air Fry Chicken Legs Bone In & Air Fried Thighs

Dinner time with three teenagers is wild yall. One kid is on TikTok asking for the best air fryer chicken while the other two just yell for snacks like I am a drive thru. I needed something fast but good and that is how I got obsessed with making chicken legs in the air fryer. Like real talk these air fry chicken legs bone in save my life. They come out juicy with that crispy skin dream and nobody complains which is rare in my house.

We are talking air fryer chicken thighs crispy easy that taste like fried chicken but no deep fryer mess. My teens call them air fryer chicken drummies and eat them like nuggets. You can do air fried thighs or even chicken drumlets air fryer style. This is honestly one of the best airfryer meals we make on repeat.

I got into all the air fry recipes like air fryer baked chicken thighs, air fryer fried chicken thighs, even air fryer chicken thighs sides like corn and fries. If you want to know how to make chicken thighs in the air fryer or the best air fryer thighs that taste like takeout this is it. The air fryer chicken legs recipes I use are picky teen approved. They are the best chicken legs in air fryer I ever made.

You can toss these thighs in airfryer with your fave sauce or go classic crispy air fryer chicken thighs style. Works with chicken thighs in air fryer oven and yes you can call them chicken drums if you wanna be cool like my kids. Trust me this is one of those air fryer oven recipes you will make again and again. It is family chaos friendly and actually fun.

Ingredients You Need

• 4 to 6 chicken thighs
• Half cup teriyaki sauce from store or homemade if you fancy
• 1 spoon soy sauce for more flavor
• 1 spoon honey or brown sugar if you like sweet vibes
• 1 spoon sesame oil or any cooking oil you got
• 1 spoon garlic powder
• 1 spoon ground ginger
• Sesame seeds for fancy look but my kids call them sprinkles
• Green onion chopped for garnish if your kids do not pick them out like mine

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Mix it all up

Grab a bowl or a zip bag. Dump in the teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, honey, oil, garlic, and ginger. Mix it. Add the chicken. Let it sit and soak in that sauce. 20 min if you are in a rush. Overnight if you are one of those moms who plan ahead.

Step 2: Heat the air fryer

Turn your air fryer to 375 degree. This makes the chicken get nice crispy on the outside and stay juicy inside.

Step 3: Cook the chicken

Lay chicken in the air fryer basket in one layer. Do not stack or they steam and get sad looking. Cook 8 min. Flip them with tongs. Cook 7 to 8 more min. Check temp if you want. Should be 165 inside.

Step 4: Make it shiny

When done cooking brush more teriyaki on top. Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onion. Now it looks fancy but still took you like 20 min.

I serve this with rice from the microwave bag and some broccoli if I have it. My kids dip it in more sauce and nobody cries at dinner. Well maybe the baby still cries but that is life.

FAQs About Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs Recipe Card

Teriyaki Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe

Life is wild with three teens and dinner is always a circus. These air fryer chicken thighs save me. They are crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and taste like fried chicken but no giant mess. You can use air fry chicken legs bone in or drumlets or even thighs. It is one of the best airfryer meals we make on repeat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 4 to 6 chicken thighs skinless
• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce store-bought or homemade
• 1 tbsp soy sauce for extra depth
• 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar optional if you like it sweeter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp sesame oil or any neutral oil
• Sesame seeds & chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions

 

Step 1: Marinate Like a Boss

• In a bowl or zip-top bag, mix the teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, honey, garlic powder, ginger, and sesame oil. Toss the chicken thighs in and let them marinate for at least 20 minutes (or overnight if you actually remembered to plan ahead).

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

• Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). It helps crisp up the outside while keeping the inside juicy.

Step 3: Air Fry Time

• Lay the chicken thighs in a single layer. Cook for 8 minutes, flip, then cook another 7-8 minutes. Use a meat thermometer if you have one – the internal temp should hit 165°F (74°C).

Step 4: Glaze It Up

• Once cooked, brush or drizzle extra teriyaki sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions for the “I am basically a chef” finish.

Notes

Tips

• Do not crowd the basket. Air needs space to move so the chicken gets crispy.
• Pat the skin dry before seasoning. Helps with crunch.
• Use a thermometer if you have one. Chicken safe at 165 degree inside.
• Reheat leftovers in air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes to make them crispy again.

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Variations

• Swap spices for taco seasoning or lemon pepper. Kids love different flavors each week.
• Make easy air fryer fried chicken thighs by coating with panko crumbs before cooking.
• Try air fryer chicken drumlets air fryer style for snack nights.
• Add honey and soy sauce for a sweet sticky glaze after cooking.

Dinner time with three teenagers is wild and loud but this recipe makes it a little easier. My kids ask for these air fryer chicken thighs like every week. They love the crispy skin and I love how fast it is. These air fry chicken legs bone in and air fried thighs come out so juicy every time. It feels like takeout but it is my messy kitchen.

I tried so many air fry recipes and this one is my fave. It works with air fryer chicken drumlets, air fryer baked chicken thighs or even chicken thighs. If you want the best air fryer thighs or the best chicken legs in air fryer you gotta try it. They are crispy air fryer chicken thighs easy and picky teen approved.

Plus you can change it up. Make air fryer chicken thighs crispy easy with just salt and pepper or do an air fry thighs recipe with bbq glaze. Serve with fries or salad or whatever air fryer chicken thighs sides you got. I even made fried chicken thighs air fryer style with panko and it slapped hard.

We have done chicken drums in air fryer oven, thighs in airfryer with honey soy, air fryer fried chicken thighs for movie night, and even air fryer chicken thighs for game day snacks. It is all good. Once you know how to make chicken drumsticks in the air fryer you never go back.

This is one of those airfryer meals that makes me feel like I won mom life for one night. No fighting at the table and no greasy mess. Just the best air fryer chicken and happy kids. Try it with your own twist. The best air fryer thighs are the ones you make your way.

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