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If you’re craving a delicious dish that balances sweet, savory, and tangy flavors all in one, this Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a quick and satisfying meal that combines tender chicken pieces perfectly glazed in a luscious homemade teriyaki sauce. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight dinner or entertaining friends who love bold flavors, this recipe brings restaurant-quality taste right to your kitchen without much fuss. Get ready for a mouthwatering experience that’s as simple as it is irresistible!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is key to making this Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe shine. Each component plays a crucial role, from the savory depth of soy sauce to the gentle sweetness of honey and brown sugar, creating a harmony of flavors. The garlic and ginger add aromatic freshness, while the cornstarch helps achieve that perfect glossy glaze that clings to every bite.
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts: Choose thighs for juicier meat or breasts for a leaner option; cutting into bite-sized pieces helps them cook evenly and soak up the sauce.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Provides a neutral base to sear the chicken and build flavor.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Simple seasoning that enhances the natural flavor of the chicken.
- 1/2 cup soy sauce: The salty backbone of the teriyaki sauce offering that unmistakable umami punch.
- 1/4 cup water: Helps balance the sauce’s intensity and thins the mixture slightly for better coating.
- 1/4 cup honey: Adds natural sweetness that makes the sauce luscious and sticky.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar: Deepens the sweetness with a hint of molasses richness.
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar: Injects a gentle acidity that lifts the flavors and keeps things bright.
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic: Provides fragrant, savory notes that complement the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger: Adds a warm, zesty kick that’s classic in teriyaki dishes.
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch: Thickens the sauce so it coats the chicken beautifully without clumping.
- 2 tablespoons water (for slurry): Mixed with cornstarch to ensure a smooth, glossy finish.
- Sliced green onions: Fresh garnish to add color and mild sharpness.
- Sesame seeds: Toasted tiny seeds providing a nutty crunch and visual appeal.
How to Make Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Start by heating your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, season your bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook until they’re beautifully browned and cooked through, which usually takes about 6 to 8 minutes. This searing step locks in juices and builds a savory crust that complements the teriyaki glaze perfectly.
Step 2: Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce
While your chicken cooks, combine the magic sauce ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk together soy sauce, water, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and ginger until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth. This simple sauce mixture balances sweet and tangy notes with aromatic spices to create that classic teriyaki flavor you love.
Step 3: Thicken the Sauce
In a separate small bowl, stir together cornstarch and water to form a slurry. This step is crucial to avoid lumps when thickening your sauce. Slowly add this slurry to your teriyaki sauce mixture, whisking continuously so it’s evenly incorporated and ready to turn your chicken coating into a shiny glaze.
Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce
Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce directly into the skillet with your cooked chicken. Stir gently but thoroughly to make sure every piece of chicken is evenly coated. This allows the rich, sticky sauce to cling to the chicken, infusing each bite with delicious flavor.
Step 5: Simmer to Perfection
Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken and caramelize slightly, creating that irresistible glossy coating that defines a fantastic teriyaki dish. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning, then remove it from the heat once the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Transfer your perfectly glazed chicken to a serving dish and top with a generous sprinkle of sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. These garnishes add a fresh crunch and visual contrast to your creation, making your Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe look as good as it tastes.
How to Serve Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Don’t underestimate the power of a good garnish! Fresh sliced green onions bring a crisp, peppery freshness that cuts through the richness, while sesame seeds add a lovely nutty crunch and a professional touch. Scatter them generously just before serving for maximum impact.
Side Dishes
This Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe pairs beautifully with steamed white or brown rice, providing the perfect base to soak up every drop of that flavor-packed sauce. For a well-rounded meal, serve alongside sautéed or steamed vegetables such as broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy — their bright, earthy notes complement the sweet and savory chicken flawlessly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving your teriyaki chicken over a bed of fluffy quinoa or even cauliflower rice for a lighter option. Turn it into a bowl meal by adding diced avocado, pickled ginger, or a soft-boiled egg on top. If you’re feeling adventurous, wrap the chicken and some crunchy slaw in warm tortillas for teriyaki chicken tacos that burst with flavor in every bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your leftover Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe tastes amazing the next day! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This gives the flavors even more time to meld, making it an excellent option for quick lunches or dinner on busy days.
Freezing
If you want to keep some for later, freezing is a great choice. Place cooled chicken and sauce into a freezer-safe container or bag, squeeze out excess air, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to keep the texture and flavors intact.
Reheating
To reheat, warm your teriyaki chicken gently in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking or burning. You can also microwave it covered in short bursts, stirring in between. If the sauce thickened too much after refrigeration, adding a splash of water before reheating will restore its glossy silky texture.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Both chicken breasts and thighs work well in this Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe. Thighs tend to be juicier and more forgiving during cooking, while breasts are leaner. Just adjust cooking time slightly as breasts may cook a bit faster.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, simply use gluten-free tamari sauce instead of regular soy sauce. Tamari retains that savory umami flavor without gluten, making this recipe safe and delicious for those with gluten sensitivities.
How can I make the sauce less sweet?
If you prefer a less sweet teriyaki glaze, reduce the amount of honey and brown sugar slightly. You can balance it by adding a little extra rice vinegar or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to keep the flavor bright.
Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?
Definitely! The sauce can be mixed and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before cooking. Just stir it well before adding it to the chicken to ensure the ingredients are fully combined.
What other proteins can I use with this teriyaki sauce?
This sauce is wonderfully versatile. Try it with salmon, shrimp, tofu, or even vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers for a tasty vegetarian option. Just adjust cooking times based on the protein or veggie you choose.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe is a true keeper, combining simplicity, comfort, and vibrant flavors into one empowering dish you can whip up anytime. Once you try it, you’ll see how effortlessly it becomes a staple in your cooking repertoire. So grab your skillet, gather those ingredients, and enjoy every glossy, savory bite with your loved ones. Happy cooking!
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Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese
Description
A flavorful and easy Teriyaki Chicken recipe featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces cooked in a homemade sweet and savory teriyaki sauce, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner served with rice or vegetables.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Garnishes
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat to get ready for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the hot skillet. Cook until the chicken is browned and thoroughly cooked, about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare the teriyaki sauce: While the chicken cooks, whisk together soy sauce, 1/4 cup water, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and minced ginger in a medium bowl until well combined.
- Make the cornstarch slurry: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to create a smooth slurry; this will help thicken the sauce.
- Combine sauce and slurry: Add the cornstarch slurry to the teriyaki sauce mixture and stir well to incorporate.
- Add sauce to chicken: Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Stir to coat all the chicken pieces evenly with the sauce.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens nicely and clings to the chicken.
- Serve and garnish: Remove the skillet from heat, transfer the teriyaki chicken to a serving dish, and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot alongside rice or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Use either chicken thighs for juicier meat or chicken breasts for a leaner option.
- Adjust sweetness by modifying honey and brown sugar amounts to your taste.
- To make gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- For an extra kick, add a splash of chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheat gently on the stove.
