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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.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 320 kcal

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.
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