This teriyaki chicken recipe is your shortcut to a delicious, restaurant-quality meal at home. Perfect for busy weeknights, it delivers that irresistible sweet and savory teriyaki flavor that the whole family will love. Learn how to create this satisfying dish with simple ingredients and minimal effort.
Key Ingredients for Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium is recommended)
- 1/4 cup mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
- 2 tablespoons sake (optional, but adds depth)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or honey for a healthier option)
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or sesame oil for extra flavor)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Get ready for a culinary adventure with this incredibly easy and satisfying teriyaki chicken recipe! In under 30 minutes, you’ll transform simple ingredients into a flavorful masterpiece. The tender chicken, coated in a glossy, homemade teriyaki sauce, offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, sake (if using), brown sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Set aside.
- Make the Cornstarch Slurry: In a small, separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. This will help thicken the teriyaki sauce later.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan (cook in batches if necessary to achieve a good sear). Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned and mostly cooked through.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Thicken the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Give the cornstarch slurry another quick whisk and then slowly pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired. Serve immediately over steamed rice, with your favorite vegetables on the side.
Why You’ll Love This Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
This teriyaki chicken recipe is a weeknight dinner revelation, boasting a perfectly tender chicken glazed in an irresistible homemade teriyaki sauce that is beautifully glossy and deeply flavorful. Unlike store-bought sauces that can be overly sweet or salty, this recipe allows you to control the ingredients, making it a much more cost-effective and healthier option. The fresh ginger and garlic add a vibrant kick, while a touch of brown sugar creates that classic caramelization that is simply addictive.
You’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again, not just for its ease but for its incredible versatility. It’s a fantastic alternative to takeout and is far more satisfying when you know exactly what’s going into your meal. So ditch those processed sauces and experience the joy of making this delicious teriyaki chicken from scratch. Give it a try tonight – your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
- Allow the cooked teriyaki chicken to cool completely before storing.
- Transfer the chicken and any remaining sauce to an airtight container.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating:
- Stovetop (Recommended): Place the leftover teriyaki chicken in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or soy sauce if the sauce seems too thick. Stir gently until heated through.
- Microwave: Place the leftovers in a microwave-safe dish. Heat on high power in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the teriyaki chicken. Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Final Thoughts
This teriyaki chicken recipe is your go-to for a simple yet incredibly flavorful meal. Its ease of preparation and delicious taste make it a winner for any occasion. Give it a try and discover how easy it is to bring this delightful dish to your dinner table.
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Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, sake (if using), brown sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Set aside.1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium is recommended), 1/4 cup mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine), 2 tablespoons sake (optional, but adds depth), 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or honey for a healthier option), 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- In a small, separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. This will help thicken the teriyaki sauce later.1 teaspoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan (cook in batches if necessary to achieve a good sear). Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned and mostly cooked through.1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or sesame oil for extra flavor), 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Give the cornstarch slurry another quick whisk and then slowly pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, which should take about 1-2 minutes.1 teaspoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired. Serve immediately over steamed rice, with your favorite vegetables on the side.Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional), Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)