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Love teriyaki chicken? Get ready for a new obsession. My Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are sweet, savory, and irresistibly juicy! Caramelized to perfection and finished with a sticky pineapple-soy glaze, these chicken skewers have everything you want in a good teriyaki recipe.
Jump to:
- Tools You'll Need for Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
- Ingredients in Air Fried Chicken Skewers
- How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Skewers in the Air Fryer
- Isabel's Top Tips for Air Fried Chicken Skewers
- FAQ
- Storing Instructions
- Reheating Instructions
- What to Serve with Teriyaki Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
- Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
- Reviews
These teriyaki chicken skewers have become a go-to meal in my household. They're quick, easy, and can be made ahead for a quick weeknight dinner or Sunday supper!
Ready in under 30 minutes after marinating the chicken, you won't believe how juicy and flavorful these teriyaki skewers are for how simple it is to make them.
Let me show you how to air fry chicken skewers, and I guarantee you'll keep this recipe in your regular rotation or as a part of your weekly meal prep!
Tools You'll Need for Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Air Fryer | You can use either an air fryer model with a tray or an air fryer with a basket. Air fryers with trays take slightly longer to cook, so keep that in mind when air frying chicken skewers. |
| Wooden or Metal Skewers | If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before cooking. This is important so they aren't a hazard in the air fryer. |
| Medium Bowl | For mixing the glaze. |
| Whisk | For mixing the glaze - metal or silicone both work. |
| Oil Spray | I like to use avocado oil spray when air frying, but other oil sprays like olive oil work too. |
Ingredients in Air Fried Chicken Skewers
For the Marinade
- Chicken: You can use either chicken thighs or breasts for this recipe, but they should be boneless and skinless. Cut them into 1.5-inch chunks and try to keep them all the same size as much as possible.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: I'm using low sodium soy sauce - you can use regular if you prefer or if it's what you have on hand. Tamari shoyu or coconut aminos work too.
- Pineapple Juice: From canned pineapple chunks. If you're using fresh pineapple, you'll need to buy the pineapple juice separately. It's easier to use canned!
- Honey: The perfect balance of sweetness for the marinade.
- Rice Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar and white wine vinegar will work as substitutes if you don't have rice vinegar.
- Sesame Oil: This adds so much flavor to the marinade!
- Ginger: Freshly grated.
- Cornstarch: This thickens the marinade and coats the chicken well.
For the Skewers
- Bell Peppers: I'm using both red and yellow bell peppers for this recipe. You can use any color you want, but this combo looks so beautiful on these teriyaki chicken skewers.
- Small Red Onion: Red onion offers the best flavor contrast to the sweet glaze and marinade. If you only have yellow or white onion, you can use that instead.
- Pineapple Chunks: Canned or fresh. I find canned easier to work with for this recipe because you can use the juice from the can for the marinade and glaze.
- Skewers: If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before cooking.
For the Glaze
- Soy Sauce: Tamari shoyu or coconut aminos work too.
- Pineapple Juice: From the can of pineapple chunks.
- Honey: Adds that sticky sweetness to the glaze - so tasty!
- Cornstarch: This thickens the glaze.
- Sesame Oil: A little sesame oil does so much for flavor!
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: For garnish.
- Sliced Green Onions: For garnish.
How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Skewers in the Air Fryer
- Trim fat from boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts) and cut them into roughly 1.5-inch equally-sized pieces.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together low-sodium soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch.
- Add chicken pieces to the marinade and coat well. Cover and allow to marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour, preferably 2-4 hours for best flavor.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F when you're almost ready to cook the chicken.
- After marinating, remove the chicken from the fridge. Thread marinated chicken pieces, bell peppers, onion, and pineapple pieces alternately onto the skewers.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil spray. Place the skewers in a single layer, working in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes. Flip halfway through the cook time. When done, the chicken will be golden and cooked through (165°F/74°C) - see my chicken temp chart for more info!
- While the skewers are cooking, combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, cornstarch, and sesame oil in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thickened (about 2-3 minutes).
- Once the skewers are done cooking, brush them generously with the pineapple glaze. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.
Isabel's Top Tips for Air Fried Chicken Skewers
- If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before air frying. This will prevent them from burning in the air fryer, and helps prevent the meat from sticking to the skewer.
- These teriyaki chicken skewers make the most amazing make-ahead dinner. You can freeze the uncooked chicken in the marinade; when you defrost it in the fridge overnight, it will marinate at the same time so you won't have any extra work. Alternatively, fully assemble the skewers, freeze, thaw in the fridge overnight, and air fry for lunch or dinner the next day.
- Air fryer cooking times vary. If you have an air fryer model with a tray, it may take longer to cook these skewers. Just keep an eye on them and check the internal temp with a meat thermometer and my chicken temp chart.
FAQ
Can I use store-bought teriyaki sauce for the glaze?
You can, but you'll miss out on the pineapple flavor of making it yourself. Alternatively, you can make my separate teriyaki sauce recipe and store it in the fridge to use with multiple meals. It is so delicious!
Can I make air fryer skewers using other proteins or vegetables?
Yes, definitely. Try replacing the chicken with pork, beef, or even thick portobello mushroom wedges. Keep in mind that this will change the cooking time - you can use my beef and pork temp charts to get the perfect result.
Can I use metal skewers instead of wooden skewers?
Yes, definitely, but make sure they fit in your air fryer first. You should be able to fit at least 4 skewers comfortably in the air fryer without any food or skewer touching the heating element. Wooden skewers are easier to fit in the air fryer if necessary, but you have to soak them first.
Storing Instructions
Store leftover air fryer chicken skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Air fried chicken skewers can also be frozen for up to 4-6 months. Allow them to cool, then store in a freezer-safe airtight container labeled with the date.
You can also freeze them before cooking for the same amount of time.
Reheating Instructions
Reheat teriyaki chicken skewers in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or until heated through. Frozen skewers should be defrosted in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
What to Serve with Teriyaki Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
Air Fryer Chicken Skewers are quick, easy, and delicious! Complete with a teriyaki pineapple-soy marinade and glaze, juicy, and great for meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 1.5 lbs boneless - skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into 1.5-inch chunks
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup pineapple juice - from a can of pineapple chunks
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves - minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger - or ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
For the Skewers:
- 1 red bell pepper - cut into chunks
- 1 yellow bell pepper - cut into chunks
- 1 small red onion - cut into chunks
- 1 cup pineapple chunks - fresh or canned
- Skewers - if wooden, soak in water 30 mins
For the Glaze:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 Tablespoons pineapple juice
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- Toasted sesame seeds & sliced green onion - for garnish
Instructions
- Trim fat from boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts) and cut them into roughly 1.5-inch equally-sized pieces.1.5 lbs boneless
- In a medium bowl, whisk together low-sodium soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch.⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce,¼ cup pineapple juice,2 Tablespoons honey,1 Tablespoon rice vinegar,1 Tablespoon sesame oil,2 garlic cloves,1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger,1 teaspoon cornstarch
- Add chicken pieces to the marinade and coat well. Cover and allow to marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour, preferably 2-4 hours for best flavor.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F when you're almost ready to cook the chicken.
- After marinating, remove the chicken from the fridge. Thread marinated chicken pieces, bell peppers, onion, and pineapple pieces alternately onto the skewers.1 red bell pepper,1 yellow bell pepper,1 small red onion,1 cup pineapple chunks,Skewers
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil spray. Place the skewers in a single layer, working in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes. Flip halfway through the cook time. When done, the chicken will be golden and cooked through (165°F/74°C) - see my chicken temp chart for more info!
- While the skewers are cooking, combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, honey, cornstarch, and sesame oil in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thickened (about 2-3 minutes).¼ cup soy sauce,2 Tablespoons pineapple juice,1 Tablespoon honey,1 teaspoon cornstarch,½ teaspoon sesame oil
- Once the skewers are done cooking, brush them generously with the pineapple glaze. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving. Enjoy!Toasted sesame seeds & sliced green onion
Final stepPlease consider Leaving a Review below to tell me what you think of the recipe! This helps me know what you're looking for, so I can continue to provide you with high-quality recipes at no cost.
Notes
- If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before air frying.
- Air fryer cooking times vary. Just keep an eye on them and check the internal temp with a meat thermometer and my chicken temp chart.
Nutrition
Serving: 1skewerCalories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 43gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 1663mgPotassium: 1026mgFiber: 3gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 1022IUVitamin C: 103mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 2mg
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