Why this fits a family on a budget
Chicken thighs are one of the cheapest cuts available, and the sauce uses only basic pantry staples, keeping the total cost around $2.45 per serving. The air fryer cuts cooking time dramatically, delivering sticky, glossy teriyaki chicken in under 25 minutes.
1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups white rice, 3.5 cups cold water, and 0.5 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce to the lowest setting, cover tightly with a lid, and cook for 18 minutes. Do not lift the lid during cooking.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic powder, ground ginger, and rice vinegar until the honey is fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth.
4. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels — this helps them get a better color. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap.
5. Brush the tops of the chicken thighs generously with about half the teriyaki sauce using a spoon or brush.
6. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes. The tops should look set and lightly caramelized. Flip each thigh using tongs, brush the other side with remaining sauce, and cook for another 8–10 minutes until the internal temperature reads 165°F and the glaze looks dark, sticky, and slightly charred at the edges.
7. While chicken rests for 2 minutes, slice green onions into thin rounds.
8. Fluff the rice with a fork. Divide rice into 4 plates, place one or two chicken thighs on each, and spoon any drippings from the air fryer basket over the top. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Contains: soy. Always double-check labels for your household's allergies.
Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.
This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.