Chicken Teriyaki
Tender, juicy chicken coated in a rich, glossy teriyaki sauce—this easy homemade Chicken Teriyaki is packed with sweet, savory, and umami flavors. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a flavorful meal prep option.
Equipment
- Cutting board and knife
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Large skillet or wok
- Whisk
- Small saucepan
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the Teriyaki Sauce:
- ¼ cup soy sauce low-sodium recommended
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon mirin optional, for authentic flavor
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger grated
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water for thickening
For Garnish:
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions sliced
Instructions
Prepare the Sauce
- In a small saucepan, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, mirin, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil.
- Heat over medium and bring to a gentle simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Thicken the Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry.
- Slowly pour it into the sauce while whisking. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened, then remove from heat.
Cook the Chicken
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked.
Coat with Sauce
- Reduce heat to low and pour the teriyaki sauce over the chicken. Toss well to coat.
- Let it cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce caramelizes slightly.
Garnish and Serve
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
- Serve over steamed rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables.
Notes
For extra depth of flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce for 30 minutes before cooking.
Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey/brown sugar.
Double the sauce recipe if you love extra sauce for drizzling.
Grill the chicken instead of pan-frying for a smoky teriyaki twist.
Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey/brown sugar.
Double the sauce recipe if you love extra sauce for drizzling.
Grill the chicken instead of pan-frying for a smoky teriyaki twist.