Quick & Tender Teriyaki Chicken Recipe: A Scrumptious Classic

Crafting a mouthwatering teriyaki chicken recipe sparks joy in every home cook’s kitchen.

Sticky, sweet flavors dance across tender meat with delightful simplicity.

Weeknight dinners deserve something special that doesn’t demand complex techniques.

Japan’s culinary magic comes alive through this straightforward approach to classic comfort food.

Marinades infuse each bite with rich, umami-packed goodness that makes taste buds sing.

Home chefs can easily replicate restaurant-quality dishes without intimidating ingredients or complicated steps.

You’ll fall in love with how quickly this meal comes together, promising satisfaction in every delectable forkful.

Why Everyone Loves Teriyaki Chicken

• Adaptable Cooking Methods: Tackle this recipe using stovetop, slow cooker, Instant Pot, or oven techniques, giving you incredible flexibility for any kitchen setup or time constraint.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Profile: Delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory teriyaki sauce that appeals to both kids and adults, making it a guaranteed family dinner winner.
• Minimal Ingredient Complexity: Requires basic pantry staples and simple preparation steps, allowing even novice home cooks to create a restaurant-quality meal without stress or complicated techniques.
• Quick Protein Solution: Transforms plain chicken into a delicious, saucy dish that can be ready in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute meal planning.

What You’ll Use To Make Teriyaki Chicken

• Chicken Breasts, Chicken Thighs: Lean protein that serves as the primary ingredient for this delicious teriyaki dish.

• Soy Sauce, Mirin, Rice Vinegar, Brown Sugar: A classic combination that creates the signature sweet and savory teriyaki flavor.
• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that add depth and complexity to the sauce.

• Vegetable Oil: Helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking of the chicken.
• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Provides a fresh, crunchy garnish that enhances the visual appeal and adds a subtle nutty flavor.

• Rice, Noodles, Steamed Vegetables: Complementary accompaniments that complete the meal and provide additional nutrition.

How To Prepare Teriyaki Chicken From Scratch

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Grab your chicken breasts or thighs and pat them dry with paper towels. Season the chicken with a light sprinkle of salt and pepper to enhance the natural flavors.

Step 2: Craft the Magical Teriyaki Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Mirin
• Sake
• Brown sugar
• Garlic
• Ginger

Stir until the sugar completely dissolves, creating a glossy and aromatic mixture.

Step 3: Pan-Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat a skillet with a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat. Carefully place the chicken into the hot pan. Cook until each side turns a beautiful golden brown and the chicken is completely cooked through. This should take about 6-8 minutes per side.

Step 4: Sauce Transformation

Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the sizzling chicken. Watch as the sauce bubbles and caramelizes, creating a stunning glaze that coats every inch of the meat. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes sticky.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and a handful of toasted sesame seeds over the chicken. The vibrant colors and nutty aroma will make your mouth water. Serve alongside steamed white rice or fluffy jasmine rice and some crisp steamed vegetables.

Alternative Cooking Methods:

Slow Cooker Method:

Place chicken in the slow cooker, cover with sauce, and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. Shred the chicken and let it soak in the sauce before serving.

Instant Pot Method:

Combine chicken and sauce in the Instant Pot. Seal and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Release pressure naturally, shred the chicken, and thicken the sauce using sauté mode.

Oven-Baked Variation:

Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange chicken in a baking dish, brush with sauce, and bake for 15 minutes. Flip, brush again, and bake another 15 minutes. Finish with a final sauce drizzle before serving.

Useful Cooking Tips For Teriyaki Chicken

• Prevent Sauce Burning: Stir the teriyaki sauce constantly while thickening to avoid scorching and ensure a smooth, glossy finish.
• Choose Right Meat Cut: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for even cooking and maximum sauce absorption.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust sauce thickness by simmering longer for a more concentrated flavor or adding water for a lighter texture.
• Temperature Matters: Use medium-high heat when cooking chicken to achieve a golden-brown exterior without drying out the meat.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Teriyaki chicken stores well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or dinner leftovers.

Different Styles Of Teriyaki Chicken To Try

• Tofu Teriyaki: Replace chicken with firm tofu, pressing and cutting it into cubes before cooking. Perfect for vegetarians seeking a protein-packed meal.
• Turkey Teriyaki Alternative: Swap chicken with ground or sliced turkey for a leaner protein option with similar flavor profile.
• Low-Sodium Teriyaki: Use reduced-sodium soy sauce and coconut aminos to create a healthier version without compromising taste.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or gluten-free soy sauce, ensuring those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy the dish.

What To Eat With Teriyaki Chicken

• Perfectly Pair Teriyaki Chicken
• Sip Japanese Sake: Crisp, clean sake complements the sweet and savory teriyaki flavors, cutting through the richness of the chicken and enhancing the umami profile.
• Crunch Cucumber Salad: Prepare a light, refreshing cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame oil to balance the teriyaki's intense taste and provide a cool contrast.
• Match Jasmine Rice: Serve fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the delicious teriyaki sauce, creating a perfect base that absorbs and highlights the dish's complex flavors.
• Pour Asahi Beer: Light, crisp Japanese beer like Asahi Super Dry offers a clean, refreshing counterpoint to the sweet and tangy teriyaki chicken, cleansing the palate between bites.

Best Way To Store And Reheat Teriyaki Chicken

• Place leftover teriyaki chicken in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the chicken is completely cooled before sealing to prevent condensation.
• Transfer chicken to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label the container with the date for easy tracking.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying. Cover with a damp paper towel and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.

Teriyaki Chicken Common Questions

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work perfectly for teriyaki chicken. They are more flavorful and stay juicier during cooking compared to chicken breasts.

• Is teriyaki sauce gluten-free?

Traditional teriyaki sauce contains soy sauce, which has gluten. To make it gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce.

• How do I prevent the chicken from becoming dry?

Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, aiming for 165°F (74°C). For extra moisture, marinate the chicken in the teriyaki sauce for 30 minutes before cooking.

Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25-40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering Teriyaki Chicken dances with sweet and savory Japanese flavors, promising a culinary journey through delightful marinades and perfectly glazed protein. Crispy edges and tender meat invite hungry diners to savor each delectable bite of this classic Asian-inspired dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 1/4 pounds (567 grams) chicken breasts or thighs (cut into 1-inch cubes)

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) honey
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons (10 grams) cornstarch
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) water

Aromatics and Garnish:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 teaspoons (10 grams) ginger (minced)
• Sesame seeds
• Green onions

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Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes per side.
2. Combine teriyaki sauce ingredients in a separate bowl, whisking thoroughly to create a smooth mixture.
3. Pour sauce over seared chicken, allowing it to simmer and reduce until it creates a glossy, thick coating around the meat.
4. For stovetop method: Continue cooking chicken in sauce for 3-5 minutes, ensuring even coverage.
5. For slow cooker technique, place chicken in 6-quart cooker and drench with prepared sauce.
6. Slow cook on low temperature for 3-4 hours, ensuring chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F.
7. For Instant Pot preparation, place chicken in pot, cover with sauce, and seal lid.
8. Pressure cook on high for 12 minutes, then perform natural release method.
9. After cooking, remove chicken and reduce sauce using sauté function until slightly thickened.
10. Slice or shred chicken, returning it to sauce for complete coating.
11. For oven roasting, preheat to 425°F and arrange chicken in single layer baking dish.
12. Brush chicken with teriyaki sauce, bake for 20 minutes, turning once midway.
13. Drizzle remaining sauce over chicken before serving.
14. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions.
15. Serve alongside steamed rice or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

• Always use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety and perfectly cooked protein.
• Marinate chicken for 30 minutes to 2 hours before cooking to enhance flavor depth and tenderness.
• Low-sodium soy sauce can reduce salt content for heart-healthy diets without compromising taste.
• Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains the delicious teriyaki profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15–30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6.3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg