Quick & Zesty Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe for Homemade Joy

My kitchen always lights up when a delicious teriyaki chicken recipe hits the cutting board.

Savory aromas drift through our home, promising a delightful meal.

Weeknight dinners can feel magical with such simple yet flavorful dishes.

Each ingredient brings its own personality to this classic Asian-inspired plate.

Home cooks appreciate straightforward techniques that deliver maximum taste with minimal effort.

Tender chicken pieces glazed in a rich, sweet-tangy sauce create instant comfort.

We promise this recipe will become your new go-to meal that everyone will request again and again.

Why This Teriyaki Chicken Works Every Time

• Minimal ingredients and simple cooking steps make this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, ensuring a restaurant-quality dish with zero stress.
• Serve over rice, noodles, or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete meal that keeps everyone happy and satisfies different taste preferences with its sweet and savory sauce.
• Uses affordable, readily available ingredients that transform simple chicken into a mouthwatering dinner without breaking the bank, making it an economical choice for regular meal planning.

Ingredients That Power Flavor in Teriyaki Chicken

• Chicken: Main protein that soaks up the delicious teriyaki sauce, best with boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs for even cooking.

• Soy Sauce, Honey (or Brown Sugar): Rich umami and sweet base for authentic teriyaki flavor, low-sodium soy sauce works well for less salt.
• Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and helps balance the sweetness.
• Garlic, Ginger: Classic Asian aromatics that provide depth and traditional flavor, fresh is always more potent than dried.

• Oil: Creates golden-brown exterior for chicken and prevents sticking, neutral oils like vegetable or canola work best.
• Cornstarch, Water: Creates smooth slurry to thicken sauce and give glossy texture.

• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Fresh toppings that add color, crunch, and extra flavor layer, can be optional but recommended.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance chicken's natural taste, use kosher or sea salt for better flavor.

How to Cook Juicy Teriyaki Chicken at Home

Step 1: Prep Chicken Flavor

Sprinkle chicken with a generous layer of salt and pepper to enhance its natural taste.

Step 2: Craft Teriyaki Magic

• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Vinegar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Let the sauce sit and mingle its flavors.

Step 3: Golden Brown Chicken

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high flame. Carefully place chicken and cook until it turns a gorgeous golden brown, ensuring it’s fully cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Transfer chicken to a waiting plate.

Step 4: Sauce Transformation

Pour the teriyaki mixture into the same skillet. Allow it to simmer and dance over medium heat.

Step 5: Thicken The Sauce

Create a smooth cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water. Stir this into the sauce until it transforms into a luscious, glossy coating.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken With Sauce

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, gently tossing to ensure every piece gets a perfect sauce embrace.

Step 7: Final Flourish

Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the chicken for a vibrant, fresh finish.

Serve hot and enjoy your homemade teriyaki masterpiece!

Tips for the Best Sticky-Sweet Sauce

• Maximize Flavor Depth: Marinate chicken in teriyaki sauce for 30 minutes before cooking to infuse deeper flavor and tenderize the meat.
• Prevent Burning: Lower heat and stir sauce frequently to avoid scorching, ensuring a smooth, glossy teriyaki coating.
• Cornstarch Technique: Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to sauce to prevent lumps and create a silky, even thickening.
• Customize Protein Options: Swap chicken with tofu, beef, or shrimp for versatile teriyaki variations that suit different dietary preferences.
• Sauce Consistency Control: Adjust cornstarch slurry quantity to achieve desired sauce thickness- less for a lighter glaze, more for a thicker coating.

Store and Reheat Chicken Without Overcooking

• Store leftover teriyaki chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Warm chicken over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra teriyaki sauce to prevent drying. Stir gently for 3-4 minutes until heated thoroughly and sauce recoats the chicken.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until temperature reaches 165°F to ensure food safety.
• Wrap chicken tightly in freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.

What Goes Best with Teriyaki Chicken

• Select a chilled, slightly sweet Riesling wine that complements the teriyaki sauce's sweet and tangy profile, balancing the chicken's rich flavors.
• Create a perfect bed of fluffy jasmine rice to absorb the delicious teriyaki sauce, enhancing the overall meal's texture and taste.
• Prepare a refreshing side of crunchy Asian-style coleslaw with rice vinegar dressing to provide a cool, tangy contrast to the warm chicken.
• Include quick-pickled cucumber or daikon radish to introduce a bright, acidic element that cuts through the sauce's sweetness and adds complexity.

Teriyaki Variations for Any Mood

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Use gluten-free cornstarch and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegan Alternative: Swap chicken with firm tofu or tempeh. Use maple syrup instead of honey and add extra garlic and ginger for depth of flavor.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute honey with a sugar-free sweetener like stevia. Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional rice.
• Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the teriyaki mixture. Include diced jalapeños when cooking for an extra heat boost.

Chicken FAQs You’ll Want to Read

• What makes teriyaki sauce different from other sauces?

Teriyaki sauce is a Japanese-style sauce that combines sweet and savory flavors, using soy sauce, mirin (or honey), and typically ginger and garlic, creating a unique glossy and flavorful coating for meats.

• Can I use a different type of protein instead of chicken?

Yes, this teriyaki sauce works excellently with other proteins like salmon, tofu, beef, or pork. Simply adjust cooking times based on the protein you choose.

• Is it possible to make this dish spicier?

Absolutely! You can add red pepper flakes, sriracha sauce, or finely chopped chili peppers to the teriyaki sauce to increase the heat level according to your preference.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Use low-sodium soy sauce, replace honey with a natural sweetener like stevia, use less oil, and serve with brown rice or cauliflower rice for a more nutritious meal.

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful Teriyaki Chicken promises a quick journey through Japanese-inspired flavors, blending sweet and savory notes. Crispy chicken glazed with homemade sauce brings authentic taste to dinner tables, inviting you to savor each delicious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 500 g (1 lb) chicken thighs or chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Sauce Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Flavor Enhancers and Thickening Agents:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Massage chicken pieces with salt and pepper, ensuring even coating for robust flavor enhancement.
2. Craft a vibrant teriyaki sauce by whisking soy sauce, honey, vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing vessel until harmoniously blended.
3. Warm a spacious skillet with cooking oil over medium-high temperature, creating an ideal searing environment.
4. Carefully introduce seasoned chicken to the hot surface, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown exterior and reach complete internal doneness, approximately 5-7 minutes.
5. Transfer perfectly cooked chicken to a temporary plate, reserving the flavorful skillet for sauce preparation.
6. Pour prepared teriyaki mixture into the same skillet, generating a gentle simmer that releases aromatic ingredients.
7. Create a cornstarch slurry by thoroughly combining cornstarch with water, then gradually incorporate into the simmering sauce to achieve desired thickness and glossy consistency.
8. Reintroduce chicken pieces into the enriched sauce, gently rotating to ensure comprehensive and elegant coating.
9. Elevate the dish’s visual appeal and taste by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions as a final flourishing touch before serving.

Notes

• Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt intake and create a healthier version of the dish.
• Marinate chicken for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance flavor absorption and tenderness.
• For gluten-free option, replace regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
• Test chicken doneness by using a meat thermometer, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg