Last Updated on 17 December 2023 by cooksimply
For those who follow Cook Simply, you know that I’m all about quick and easy dinners that the whole family will enjoy. And this soy sauce chicken in an air fryer not only gives you the juiciest chicken, but the crispiest skin, too. It really is an easy meal that you can whip in under half an hour. Serve it with white rice or brown rice and green vegetables like pak choi [bok choy], or even over noodles, and you’ll have yourself a really easy weeknight meal.
My Cosori air fryer has become a firm staple kitchen appliance in my house, thanks to its ability to create crispy and tasty meals with minimal oil and sometimes no olive oil at all. Hands up, though, who doesn’t love deep-fried foods? I’m a big fan, but the best way to enjoy naughty food is to scale back sometimes and that’s why the air fryer really helps create dishes that are not only healthy but delicious, too.
That’s why these air fryer chicken thighs have become a firm favourite. With their succulent meat and rich umami flavour, these chicken thighs are a crowd-pleasing option for any occasion. Follow the recipe below for a simple and mouthwatering recipe for air fryer soy sauce chicken thighs that will leave your taste buds wanting more.
How to make these easy air fryer soy sauce chicken thighs recipe
Chicken thigh recipes don’t come easier than this. Firstly, you need to get your chicken pieces and marinate them before putting the marinated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket and cooking them for around 20-25 minutes. That’s it – it really is that simple.
Can you use different cuts of chicken?
For this recipe, I recommend that you use boneless chicken thighs with the skin on. I find that boneless thighs produce the best results and really tender chicken. However, this recipe is hugely adaptable so you can use any cut of chicken including boneless skinless chicken thighs, skinless chicken breasts, chicken wings, and chicken drumsticks. Just remember if you’re using bone-in chicken you will have to air fry it for longer.
Marinate the chicken thighs
Begin by preheating your air fryer to 200°c (400°F). You’ll then want to combine soy sauce [a mix of regular soy sauce and dark soy sauce], hoisin sauce, minced garlic cloves [or garlic powder as an alternative] and ginger paste together. Next, pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl or dish. Pour the simple marinade ingredients over the chicken, ensuring that each piece is coated evenly. Or if you’re short on time like I usually am, just chuck all the ingredients in together and make sure you give it all a good mix.
Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavours to infuse. The longer you leave the chicken to marinate the better. Sometimes, if I prepare the chicken in advance, I cover the dish with plastic wrap and let the raw chicken marinate overnight. This really means the chicken soaks in all the flavour.
Time to air fry the chicken
Once the chicken has marinated, it’s time to cook it in the air fryer. Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin side up. There is no need for any cooking spray. I don’t use parchment paper to line the air fryer basket but if you’re worried the chicken thighs may stick, line the bottom of the basket with some paper, or spray with some cooking oil. If you have a smaller air fryer basket you may need to cook the chicken thighs in several batches, keeping the cooked chicken warm with foil.
You’ll want to cook the chicken on a medium heat to high heat around 185°c (365°F) for around 20-25 minutes, checking on the chicken around every five minutes to ensure the skin doesn’t burn. The skin should become golden brown and crispy, while the meat inside remains juicy and tender. Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tasty meat.
What to serve with air fryer soy chicken thighs
You couldn’t get a more versatile dish that goes with pretty much anything. If you’re looking for simplicity then sliced, over steamed rice or even egg fried rice, and sprinkle spring onions [green onions] for some freshness, and some sesame seeds, for extra crunch and texture, as well as a nutty flavour.
You could also serve it with fried noodles including these spring onion noodles, or as part of a soup noodle dish. Get ramen, and soup base, add your fixings including vegetables, a boiled egg perhaps, and then lashings of this soy sauce chicken. Similarly, it would also work well in sandwiches or wraps, or if you even have slices of the cooked chicken left, you could add it to a salad. That’s what’s so great about this air fryer chicken recipe, it really is hugely versatile.
Can you keep leftovers?
Absolutely, you can keep leftovers. Make sure to keep any leftover soy sauce chicken in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. The chicken can be eaten cold, in sandwiches or salads, for up to three days. If you would like to freeze the chicken, pop it in a suitable freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, and freeze it for up to three months. Make sure to thoroughly defrost before using, and you can reheat the chicken pieces in the air fryer for around 6 minutes at 185°c (365°F).
The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its simplicity but also in its ability to satisfy your cravings for tasty Chinese chicken without all the oil. The air fryer’s hot circulating air creates that coveted crispy skin while keeping the meat moist and tender. With this easy recipe, you can achieve the perfect balance of sweet, savoury, and umami flavours in a fraction of the time. So, fire up your air fryer, gather the ingredients, and prepare to indulge in this mouthwatering chicken dish that is sure to become a family favourite.
Other air fryer recipes
Why not try these other Chinese air fryer recipes?
Chinese crispy chicken wings
Air fryer char siu pork recipe
Air fryer sesame prawn toast
Air fryer soy sauce chicken thighs recipe
Ingredients
- 1 kg boneless chicken thighs skin on
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp light soy
- 1 tbsp dark soy
Instructions
- Pat your chicken skins dry with some kitchen/paper towels, to get remove any extra moisture. And put them in a large container or bowl.
- Then add the garlic, ginger, soy sauce and hoisin sauce and combine well. Making sure all the meat is covered in the marinade. Cover and leave for at least 30 minutes or as long as possible - even overnight.
- Five minutes before cooking, preheat the air fryer at 200°c (400°F).
- Once ready, add the chicken thighs to the air fryer basket, skin side up and making sure they're on a single layer.
- Air fry for 20-25 minutes at 180°c (360°F), making sure to check on the chicken around 10 minutes in, just to make sure the skin isn't burning.
- Once, cooked, slice and serve with steamed rice and sprinkle with spring onions.
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Did you make this easy air fryer soy sauce chicken thighs?
Please let me know if you made this Chinese chicken recipe. Leave a comment below and tag @cooksimplyathome on Instagram. You can find other easy meal ideas here.
delicious, we devoured it!