Quick & Easy Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken

Name: Quick & Easy Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 29 min
Ingredients: 1 lb skin-on bone-in chicken thighs (or boneless chicken thighs ); 1/4 tsp sesame seeds (optional garnish); 1 tbsp green onions (finely chopped (optional garnish)); 1 tbsp regular soy sauce (or light soy sauce); 1 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian stir-fry sauce); 1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup or light corn syrup); 1/2 tbsp sesame oil; 1 tsp dark soy sauce; 1 tsp shaoxing wine (/ dry sherry / dry white wine / chicken broth); 1 tsp ginger (grated); 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/4 tsp white pepper (or black pepper)

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Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a savory honey soy sauce and air fried to perfection. This easy air fryer soy sauce chicken recipe uses simple ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes! A better-than-takeout main that's family-friendly, budget-friendly, and great for busy weeknights.

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Ingredients & Substitutes
Variation
Expert Tips
Instructions
Storage & Reheating
Pairing Suggestions
FAQ
📖 Recipe

This soy-flavored chicken is made with skin-on chicken thighs seasoned in soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, oyster sauce, and other seasonings. The chicken is then air fried and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

This delicious Asian chicken dish is best served with steamed rice and leafy greens, like bok choy or yu choy sum, for a complete meal.

The golden brown chicken skin is the best part and the meat is packed with savory flavors. Chinese restaurants often serve a variation of this, but you can easily make it at home in the air fryer.

It's the perfect chicken recipe to make when you have little time or energy to cook. You can even marinate the chicken the night before for extra flavor and convenience.

I also share how to bake or pan fry the chicken if you don't have an air fryer - see below for details.

I love making this Chinese dish at home and it always hits the spot, also saving about $15-20 on Chinese takeout.

Ingredients & Substitutes

Please scroll to the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Skin-on Chicken Thighs: Or use skin-on boneless chicken thighs for convenience. Or substitute with skinless chicken thighs and adjust the cooking time.
Sesame Seeds (optional garnish)
Green Onions (optional garnish)

Chicken Marinade

Regular Soy Sauce: Or use low-sodium soy sauce or light soy sauce.
Dark Soy Sauce: Or use dark mushroom soy sauce or add more regular soy sauce to taste at the end of cooking.
Oyster Sauce: A thick, brown, umami sauce made of oyster juices and other seasonings. Or use vegetarian stir-fry sauce, if you don't like oysters.
Honey: Or use maple syrup or light corn syrup.
Sesame Oil: Or use a neutral oil if you're allergic to sesame oil.
Shaoxing Wine: A Chinese rice cooking wine. Or use dry sherry, dry white wine, or chicken broth.
Fresh Ginger: Or replace with ½ teaspoon ginger powder.
Garlic Powder
White Pepper or Black Pepper

Note: Asian ingredients are typically available at most Asian grocery stores, or you can check online.

Variation

Gluten-free version: Replace both soy sauces with tamari sauce, coconut aminos, or gluten-free soy sauce. Use gluten-free oyster sauce. Replace the Shaoxing wine with dry sherry, dry white wine, or chicken broth.

Expert Tips

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, especially the skin, so the marinade can stick.
Marinate the chicken for at least 15 minutes in the fridge for best results. You can even marinate it overnight for extra flavor.
Give the chicken thighs enough space in the air fryer and do not overlap!
Line the base of the air fryer basket with air fryer parchment paper for easy cleanup. This is optional.
Boil any leftover marinade in a small saucepan on medium heat and use it as a serving sauce for the chicken. This is optional.

Instructions

How to Air Fry the Chicken

Debone the chicken thighs by carefully making small cuts around the bone with a sharp knife until it can be easily removed

Debone the chicken thighs by carefully making small cuts around the bone with a sharp knife until it can be easily removed. If using boneless chicken thighs, you can skip this step.

Transfer chicken thighs into a large bowl and add the above listed marinade ingredients. Massage the marinade into chicken until evenly coated and marinate for at least 15 minutes

Marinate the chicken: Transfer chicken thighs into a large bowl and add the above listed marinade ingredients. Massage the marinade into the chicken until evenly coated and marinate for at least 15 minutes, or longer if you have time.

Evenly spray the air fryer basket with vegetable oil and place the chicken thighs in a single layer, skin-side up.

Place chicken into air fryer basket: Evenly spray the air fryer basket with vegetable oil or cooking spray, or line the base of it with air fryer parchment paper. Then place the chicken thighs in a single layer, skin-side up, giving each piece enough space. You will need to air fry in small batches.

Air fry the chicken for 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees F until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 C) on a digital cooking thermometer

Air fry the chicken for 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees F until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 C) on a digital cooking thermometer. No flipping required. Note: Air fryer models vary in heat intensity, so keep an eye on the cooking process.

Remove and transfer cooked chicken thighs to a cutting board and slice into smaller pieces.

Slice cooked chicken: Remove and transfer cooked chicken thighs to a cutting board and slice into smaller pieces. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions to enjoy.

To Bake the Chicken

Place the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer, skin side up, in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, cast iron skillet, or oven-safe pan. Give each piece enough space.
Bake at 425 F for 20-25 minutes and then broil them at 500 F for 4-5 minutes until the skin is slightly charred on the edges and closely monitor this process. Cooked chicken has an internal temperature of 165 F on a digital cooking thermometer.

To Pan-Fry the Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of neutral cooking oil in a large pan on medium heat. Place the chicken thighs in a single layer, skin side down. You'll need to cook the chicken in small batches.
Fry the chicken for 5-6 minutes, flip over, and air fry for another 4-6 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F with a digital cooking thermometer inserted at the thickest part or until juices run clear.

Storage & Reheating

Air fryer soy sauce chicken can last up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge once cooled. To enjoy, reheat in the microwave or in the air fryer at 375 F until heated through.
Air fryer soy sauce chicken can be frozen for up to 2-3 months when stored in a freezer-safe bag, once cooled. To enjoy, defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or air fryer at 375 F until heated through.

Pairing Suggestions

Soy sauce chicken pairs well with:

Starters: Egg rolls, Crab rangoon, Egg drop soup, or Hot and sour soup.
Rice Dishes: White rice, brown rice, or fried rice.
Noodle Dishes: Chow mein, Lo mein, Plain noodles, or Soup noodles.
Vegetable Dishes: Chinese Garlic Bok Choy, Spicy Garlic Bok Choy, Chinese Garlic Yu Choy, Chinese Garlic Gai Lan, Garlic Green Beans or Stir-fried Snow Pea Leaves.
Protein Dishes: Oven-Roasted Char Siu or Air Fryer Char Siu, or Chinese Roasted Pork Belly.

FAQ

Can I make this in advance?

Air fryer soy sauce chicken can be made up to 4 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. To enjoy, reheat in the microwave or in the air fryer at 375 F until heated through.

Can I bake or pan fry the chicken thighs?

The chicken thighs can be baked in the oven or pan fried on the stovetop. Please refer to the Instructions section for more details.

Can I use other cuts of chicken?

Other cuts of chicken can be used, but adjust the air frying time for each cut and follow the instructions below:

- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Air fry at 375 F for 6-8 minutes, no flipping required.
- Chicken Legs: Air fry at 400 F for 20 minutes, flipping midway.
- Wings: Air fry at 400 F for 16 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Chicken Breast: Air fry at 370 F for 10 minutes on one side and another 6-8 minutes on the other side.

Note: Air fryer models vary in heat intensities, so it's best to closely monitor the air fryer process. These are the cooking times that work for my Philips Air Fryer.

📖 Recipe