Teriyaki Chicken is a dish that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors. With tender chicken glazed in a glossy, flavorful sauce, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser, whether served over a bed of rice, alongside stir-fried vegetables, or in a cozy bowl with noodles.
What Is Teriyaki Chicken?
Teriyaki Chicken originates from Japanese cuisine and refers to chicken cooked in a “teriyaki” sauce—a mix of soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake. The term “teriyaki” describes the cooking technique that creates a shiny, caramelized glaze on the meat. Over time, this dish has become a staple in Japanese-American cuisine, often incorporating local twists.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Customizable: Adjust sweetness or saltiness to suit your taste.
- Restaurant-Quality: Recreate the bold flavors of your favorite Japanese restaurant at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make Teriyaki Chicken, you’ll need:
- Chicken: Boneless thighs or breasts work best.
- Soy Sauce: Choose low-sodium for better control over saltiness.
- Mirin: A Japanese sweet rice wine that adds depth.
- Sake: Optional but enhances the authentic flavor.
- Brown Sugar or Honey: For sweetness.
- Garlic and Ginger: Aromatics to elevate the flavor.
- Cornstarch: To thicken the sauce.
Pro Tip:
Use skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and crispiness, as the skin locks in moisture while caramelizing beautifully in the sauce.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Teriyaki Chicken
- Marinate for Extra Flavor: Let the chicken sit in the sauce for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and ginger make a huge difference in flavor.
- Avoid Overcooking: Monitor the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
Delicious Variations
- Vegetarian Teriyaki: Replace chicken with tofu, tempeh, or seitan.
- Gluten-Free: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Spicy Teriyaki: Add chili flakes or Sriracha to the sauce for a kick.
- Pineapple Teriyaki: Incorporate pineapple juice for a tropical twist.
How to Serve Teriyaki Chicken
As a Snack: Skewer the chicken pieces for bite-sized teriyaki skewers—perfect for parties.
Classic Pairing: Serve over steamed white rice or brown rice.
With Vegetables: Pair with stir-fried broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas for a balanced meal.
In a Bowl: Layer rice, chicken, and veggies, then drizzle with extra teriyaki sauce.
How to Store Teriyaki Chicken
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet with a splash of water to refresh the sauce.
Teriyaki chicken
Teriyaki Chicken is a dish that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors. With tender chicken glazed in a glossy, flavorful sauce, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser, whether served over a bed of rice, alongside stir-fried vegetables, or in a cozy bowl with noodles.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs chicken thighs or breasts (whole or cubed)
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ cup brown sugar (or honey)
- ¼ cup water
- ½ tsp sesame oil (optional, but highly recommended!)
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Sliced green onions for garnish
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground pepper
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Trim any fat and either pound thin or cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Mix the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, water, garlic, sesame oil, salt, pepper, and ginger. Reserve half for the sauce.
- Marinate: Coat the chicken with the marinade and refrigerate for 15 minutes (or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor).
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade (wipe off excess) and cook for 4–6 minutes per side until it reaches an internal temp of 165°F. If the pan darkens, deglaze with a splash of water.
- Make the Sauce: Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet and simmer for 30 seconds to 1 minute until it thickens. Avoid high heat to prevent burning.
- Serve and Garnish: Slice the chicken if left whole, serve over rice, and sprinkle with green onions.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
6Amount Per Serving Calories 506Total Fat 28gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 20gCholesterol 218mgSodium 953mgCarbohydrates 24gFiber 0gSugar 11gProtein 43g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Still Hungry! Check my other Chicken Recipes:
- Easy Chicken Enchiladas
- Chicken Pot Pie with Potatoes
- Indian Style Chicken Tikka Masala
- Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu
So, Guys, I hope you enjoy this Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe which I make on weekly basis. All the Chicken Lovers who are looking for Teriyaki Chicken will enjoy this recipe. And if you like this recipe then Don’t forget to share it with your friends on Facebook, Pinterest, and other social media platforms. And do follow us on facebook, twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram.
Hey!
Sounds like a fantastic yummy recipe!
I was wondering if this recipe can be also used for wings?
If so, how?
Thank you!
Larry T
Mobile, AL
Yes you can.. but i never tried it