Air Fryer Ninja Foodi Teriyaki Chicken (AIP, Paleo)
This Ninja Foodi teriyaki chicken aka air fryer teriyaki chicken recipe is so easy and super tasty. Note- If you don't have an air fryer, you can still make this recipe! See the oven and stovetop instructions below.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Marinating Time1 hourhr
Total Time1 hourhr25 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: air fryer, chicken breasts, ninja foodi, teriyaki chicken
Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a medium bowl and add the chicken to it. Allow the chicken to soak for at least an hour in the fridge or as long as overnight for maximum flavor. *Note- this step is technically optional and you can skip it if there is no time for marinating.
Place the crisper basket in the Ninja Foodi (or other air fryer). Set it to "Air Crisp" at 390 degrees. Allow it to preheat (about 3 minutes).
Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.
Add about half the chicken to the crisper basket being careful not to overcrowd it. (You'll need to cook the chicken in two batches.) Shut the lid and allow to cook for 3-4 minutes, then open the lid flip the chicken over to the other side. Remove from the air fryer and set aside in a bowl. Repeat the process with the second batch.
While the chicken is cooking, prep the sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the first 6 ingredients and heat for 1-2 minutes.
Make a slurry with the 1/4 cup cold water and arrowroot starch, then add it to the pan.
Whisk/stir the mixture continuously for a few minutes. The mixture will start to bubble and thicken. Remove the pan from the heat when the mixture reaches the desired thickness.
Pour the desired amount of sauce over the chicken in the bowl and toss the chicken in the sauce with tongs until it's coated evenly.
Serve over cauliflower rice and garnish with green onions.
Notes
If Cooking Whole Chicken Breasts vs. Diced Chicken:
Cook these on the grill grate. The recommended cook time for whole marinated chicken breasts is 16-19 minutes at 500 degrees in "Grill" mode, flipping halfway through
To Cook Chicken on the Stovetop:
In a pan over medium heat, pour 1-2 tbsp of oil. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 3-5 minutes per side or until cooked through. Then toss the chicken in the teriyaki sauce (the sauce instructions stay the same- see recipe).
To Cook the Chicken in the Oven:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the chicken pieces on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Cool for a few minutes, then toss the chicken in the teriyaki sauce (see the recipe for sauce instructions).Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.Freezing: I don't recommend freezing this dish once prepared however you can store the cooked chicken and prepared sauce separately in the freezer.
To Prep Your AIP Teriyaki Chicken for the Freezer:
Make the sauce and cook the chicken.
Cool both- Not cooling them adequately before freezing can lead to frost build-up on the food and freezer burn.
For the sauce: Pour it into a (preferably glass) airtight container and label it. Small mason jars are perfect for this.
For the chicken: Freeze the cooked chicken pieces spread out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet first, then transfer them to a container or freezer bag. This will prevent them from sticking together.
Storage: Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Defrosting: When you're ready to use them, defrost them in the fridge or microwave.
Reheating: Reheat the chicken from thawed or frozen using the stove, air fryer, or oven. Reheat the sauce on the stove or in the microwave.