This ridiculously easy, quick Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken is the best and easiest chicken recipe out there. This chicken marinated with soy sauce
is the perfect dish when you need something easy and delicious in a flash without the hassle of cleaning up a big mess.
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This soy sauce chicken recipe is air fried until golden brown and crispy, yet still tender and juicy inside. You only need a few basic ingredients to make this perfect Asian chicken dish. It's one of those dishes you can make again and again without ever getting bored!
Why you will love this recipe
- The cooking time for Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken is just 20 minutes, making it an easy weeknight meal for the whole family.
- Great way to use up pantry items that you already have in your fridge/pantry. This chicken marinated with soy sauce is so easy to make.
- Versatile. You can make it spicy or if you don't have ginger, omit it. The possibilities are endless.
- Perfect for picky eaters. I make it at least 2 times a week.
Ingredients for Soy Sauce Chicken
- Boneless chicken thighs
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Green onions
- Honey
- Chinese 5 Spice Powder
- Dark soy sauce
- Low-sodium soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Sambal oelek (garlic chili paste) - optional if you want it spicy.
How to make Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken
- Step 1: Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Air fry skin side down.
- Step 3: Flip then air fry skin side up to make the skin crispy.
- Step 4: Serve and enjoy!
Here are my step-by-step instructions for making the best soy sauce chicken in the air fryer.
Prep Your Ingredients:
Julienne the ginger, mince the garlic, and slice the green onions. Separate the white parts from the green parts.
Make the Marinade:
In a bowl, combine the ginger, garlic, white parts of the green onion, honey, dark soy sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, Chinese 5 Spice Powder, and sambal oelek (if using). Mix well.
Marinate the Chicken:
Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor). But you can also just cook it right away.
Air Fryer Method:
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The skin should be golden and crispy.
Oven Method:
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Place the chicken on a lined baking sheet or in a cast-iron skillet.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through (165°F) and caramelized.
Garnish and Serve:
Garnish the chicken with the green parts of the green onions. Serve hot with rice, noodles, or your favorite side dishes.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Small or medium bowl
- Knife
- Cutting board
Tips for making the best Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before cooking to ensure it gets all the good flavor. Use your hands to rub the spices, juices, and oil into the chicken thighs. But feel free to cook it right away to save time.
- Use high-quality ingredients - this requires pantry staples, try to use good quality ingredients.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket when you cook your chicken pieces! This will help the chicken get evenly cooked and achieve that crispy skin.
- If you like your food spicy, add some chili flakes, sambal, sriracha or chili crisp to your marinade.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the temperature and ensure the chicken is cooked. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165F.
How to store and reheat soy sauce chicken
MEAL PREP – this chicken thigh recipe is great for meal prep. Marinate, store, and air fry. Super easy!
STORE – store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
REHEAT – reheat in a microwave or the air fryer to get the skin nice and crispy again.
FREEZE – freeze the cooked boneless chicken thighs in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What to serve with this soy sauce chicken recipe
- White rice
- Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Shiitake Mushroom Fried Rice
- Garlic Braised Kale
- Sesame Cucumber Salad
Don't miss out!
Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken
This Air FryerSoy Sauce Chicken is packed with flavor and super easy to make. The soy-based marinade, infused with ginger, garlic, and Chinese 5 Spice, brings that irresistible umami punch, while the optional sambal oelek adds just the right kick. Whether you air fry, bake, or pan-fry, this dish will have everyone coming back for seconds!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 1x
- Category: mains
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: asian
Ingredients
6 pieces boneless chicken thighs (or your preferred chicken cut)
1” ginger, julienned
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 stalks green onions (white and green parts separated)
2 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon Chinese 5 Spice Powder
1 tbsp sambal oelek (garlic chili paste) - optional
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Julienne the ginger, mince the garlic, and slice the green onions. Separate the white parts from the green parts.
- Make the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the ginger, garlic, white parts of the green onion, honey, dark soy sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, Chinese 5 Spice Powder, and sambal oelek (if using). Mix well.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor). But you can also just cook it right away.
- Air Fryer Method: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The skin should be golden and crispy.
- Oven Method: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Place the chicken on a lined baking sheet or in a cast-iron skillet.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through (165°F) and caramelized. - Garnish and Serve: Garnish the chicken with the green parts of the green onions. Serve hot with rice, noodles, or your favorite side dishes.
Notes
You can air fry or bake. Great make-ahead dish for the busy week ahead.
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Shelly says
Easy, quick and delicious!
Mari B says
The best chicken I've ever had!!! Absolutely delicious 😋🤤
Em says
What do I do if I only have regular soy sauce?
Carmen Spillette says
regular soy sauce works it wont be as dark.
Liz J says
Insane flavor
Marga says
Foundend ingredients already at home and that convenience is what i like the most about this recipe hahah
Ella says
newly added for our rotation🙂
John Leigh says
My family's new favorite, unbelievable 👏 😍. Flavor is incredible!
Sandee says
how long do you marinate the chicken?
Carmen says
You can do a quick marinate in the fridge for 10 minutes or just air fry it right away.
Alice Onrait says
All I can say is wow, I marinaded the chicken for 30mins, it was so juicy and off the charts flavor. Best airfryer soy sause chicken I've ever made. 10/10.
Jason Baum says
This sounds great! What temperature do you recommend air frying the chicken? Thanks!
Carmen says
Air fry at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Thank you!
Urma G says
Best Soy Sauce Chicken recipe I've ever made!! So easy to make and absolutely delicious.