Teriyaki Chicken
This easy Teriyaki Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts glazed with a homemade sweet and savory teriyaki sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed dinners, using simple pantry staples to deliver a balanced blend of soy sauce, ginger, and sweetness with a glossy finish and a restaurant-style touch of sesame seeds.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop (can be baked)
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Diet: Gluten Free (if tamari is used instead of soy sauce)
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey (or pure maple syrup as variation)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or mirin
For Thickening
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cold water
Garnishes
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions (optional)
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and rice vinegar until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture forms a sticky, sweet base.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil. Add the chicken thighs or breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Add the Sauce and Thicken: Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the chicken in the pan. Mix cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the pan. Continuously stir until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the chicken pieces.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the chicken from heat, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken in the sauce for at least 30 minutes before cooking for extra flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches to ensure even browning.
- Use chicken thighs to keep the meat juicier and less prone to drying out than breasts.
- Fresh garnishes like sesame seeds and green onions enhance texture and visual appeal.
- Adjust sweetness by starting with less sugar and tasting as you go to avoid overpowering the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Teriyaki chicken, easy teriyaki recipe, quick chicken dinner, homemade teriyaki sauce, gluten free teriyaki, weeknight chicken, Asian chicken recipe