Name: Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 6 pieces boneless chicken thighs (or your preferred chicken cut); 1 ” ginger (julienned); 1 tbsp garlic (minced); 2 stalks green onions (white and green parts separated); 2 tbsp honey; 2 tbsp dark soy sauce; 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce; 1 tbsp sesame oil; 1 tsp Chinese 5 Spice Powder; 1 tbsp sambal oelek (garlic chili paste – optional)

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

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