Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (2024)

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This easy teriyaki chicken recipe has the most tender, delicious chicken coated in a sweet teriyaki sauce. Skip the takeout… this is ready in half an hour!

I think you’ll also like mySimple Mongolian Beef andEasy Orange Chicken recipes next.

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (1)

This post was originally published on November 30, 2018. I updated the recipe to make it better, added more tips to the blog post, and took new photographs.

This is definitely a North American style chicken teriyaki. Traditional teriyaki sauce uses sake, but I decided to omit it since not everyone will want to buy it just for this recipe. Also, I do use mirin, but I use a grocery store version of it that’s more easily accessible to most people.

There’s really not much to this recipe, so it’s perfect for a simple weeknight dinner. If you’ve finally decided to learn how to make teriyaki chicken in your own kitchen, you’ve come to the right place!

I also have an Instant Pot teriyaki chicken recipe if you’d rather make it in there.

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (2)

What’s in teriyaki sauce?

Garlic, brown sugar, fresh ginger, mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine), soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and water. I also add some cornstarch to thicken it.

I don’t go too crazy with the garlic or ginger in this recipe, so feel free to add more if more zing is your thing.

What is mirin?

Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine (similar to sake but with more sugar) that helps give teriyaki sauce its signature flavor. Most grocery stores will carry a version of it (I use Kikkoman brand – it’s described as “mirin style sweet cooking seasoning”), which is fine for this recipe. If you want something a little more authentic, you may want to check an Asian foods specialty shop.

Mirin substitutions: If you don’t have mirin, try a dry sherry or sweet marsala wine. If you want to do a bit of experimenting, Bon Appetit magazine suggests that dry white wine or rice vinegar will also work, BUT you will need to counteract the sourness with about a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar for every tablespoon you use… so be sure to give the sauce a taste to ensure that it’s to your liking. This will also change the amount of sauce that’s made, so I would be pretty careful with this particular recipe to ensure it thickens properly etc.

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (3)

Recipe notes & tips:

  • The sauce is quite thick and rich. There isn’t a ton of it, but it’s sweet and a little goes a long way IMO.
  • The second batch of chicken tends to cook a little faster because the pan is hot, so you may need to turn down the heat a little bit if the pan starts smoking too much.
  • The cornstarch helps give the chicken a nice crispy outside and tender inside. It also helps thicken up the sauce quickly.
  • You can definitely use chicken thighs instead if you prefer!
  • Using a splatter guard helps make clean-up easier. I also love using kitchen tongs for quickly turning the chicken.

What to serve with teriyaki chicken

I love to serve teriyaki chicken with rice (jasmine is my favorite) and scallions on top. It also goes well with broccoli, sweet corn, and green beans as well.

Love Asian-inspired chicken recipes? Try myHoney Chicken or thisPineapple Chicken Recipe.

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (4)

Questions about this recipe? Let me know in the comments below. Tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram so I can see your creations!

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (5)

4.96 from 21 votes

Easy Teriyaki Chicken

By Natasha Bull

This easy teriyaki chicken recipe has the most tender, delicious chicken coated in a sweet teriyaki sauce. Skip the takeout... this is ready in half an hour!

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts cut into 1" pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • Garnish (optional): chopped scallions & sesame seeds to taste

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons mirin see note
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

  • Add the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and whisk together.

  • Cut the chicken into about 1" pieces and add it to another bowl. Add the garlic powder and pepper and stir until coated, then add the cornstarch and stir again to coat.

  • Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a skillet. Let it heat for a few minutes over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in 2 batches (don't crowd the pan). Cook the chicken for 4 minutes and then flip (I use tongs to make it easy) and cook for another 3-4 minutes or so. Chicken should be browned and cooked through (165F). Transfer chicken to plate. For the second batch, I add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan.

  • Once the second batch of chicken is done, add the chicken that's on the plate back to the pan. Stir in the sauce and let it bubble for a minute or so, until thickened. Serve immediately over rice with scallions & sesame seeds sprinkled on top.

Notes

  • Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine. For this recipe, it's fine to use the grocery store version (found in the Asian foods aisle near soy sauce etc.). I use Kikkoman brand.
  • Handy trick: the ginger is much easier to grate if it's frozen. I always keep some fresh ginger in the freezer and I use my Microplane grater/zester to easily grate it.
  • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Nutrition

Calories: 333kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 72mg, Sodium: 738mg, Potassium: 455mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 34IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.

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Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can I just use teriyaki marinade as sauce? ›

If you want to turn your teriyaki marinade into a sauce you can serve with your meal, simply add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and ½ cup of water to the other ingredients. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the sauce until it thickens to your desired consistency.

What is teriyaki chicken sauce made of? ›

Authentic Japanese teriyaki sauce combines soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake to create a distinctively sharp taste, with Westernized versions incorporating honey, garlic, and ginger for added edge. Cornstarch is often added to teriyaki sauce as a thickener.

Is there a difference between teriyaki sauce and marinade? ›

Marinating meat provides juice flavor and a tender meat consistency (via MadamnGRecipe). In contrast, teriyaki sauce adds instant flavor gratification and has a consistency that is usually thicker than a marinade. It is used for basting or pouring over meat as it cooks.

Can you use jar marinade as a sauce? ›

Sauce. By cooking the marinade down through boiling, you can also make a tasty sauce. Some marinades that possess a thicker consistency, such as Tennessee Whiskey may stand to be used as a sauce on their own without any cooking necessary.

Is it better to buy or make teriyaki sauce? ›

Home cooks should be aware of the two versions of teriyaki sauce when they go shopping. The thinner teriyaki sauce makes for a better a marinade, though in our teriyaki taste test, we determined you're better off making your own teriyaki marinade at home than buying a bottle of the thin stuff.

Is there a difference between chicken teriyaki and teriyaki chicken? ›

Either will do, but many if not most names for actual dishes in English tend to have the name of the food first and then the style, as in Beef Wellington, Chicken Kiev, Trout Amandine, Courgettes Provençale, etc. Since “teriyaki” is a style of cooking, that would seem to be a vote for “Chicken Teriyaki”.

How do you make bottled teriyaki sauce better? ›

Here are a few ideas: Garlic and ginger: Add minced garlic and ginger to the sauce for an extra kick of flavor. You can sauté them in a pan with a little oil before adding to the sauce to deepen their flavors. Sesame oil: A drizzle of sesame oil will add a nutty and aromatic flavor to your teriyaki sauce.

Can you use Kikkoman teriyaki sauce as a marinade? ›

It's particularly popular as a marinade during the barbecue season but is also ideal for enhancing stir-fries or as a dip. We use Kikkoman Soy Sauce as the base, which gives the marinade its unmistakably full-bodied flavour. Teriyaki is a combination of the two Japanese words teri (glaze) and yaki (grill/braise).

How do you thicken up teriyaki sauce? ›

How to Thicken Teriyaki Sauce. The easiest way to make teriyaki sauce thicker is with a cornstarch slurry (which this recipe uses). Whisk together 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water, and add the mixture to your sauce while it simmers.

Can I substitute Worcestershire sauce for teriyaki sauce? ›

If you're looking for a substitute with a bit more depth and complexity, try combining Worcestershire sauce and honey. Worcestershire sauce adds a tangy, umami flavor, while the honey provides sweetness. Mix equal parts of Worcestershire sauce and honey to create a flavorful alternative to teriyaki sauce.

What is the closest thing to teriyaki sauce? ›

The Best Teriyaki Sauce Substitutes
  1. Make your own. If I don't have any teriyaki marinade I make my own using the following ingredients: ...
  2. Soy sauce + honey. For an even more simple home made teriyaki, just mix equal parts soy sauce and honey.
  3. Oyster sauce. ...
  4. Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) ...
  5. Hoisin sauce.

Why is teriyaki chicken so popular? ›

The delicious flavors and simplicity of the dish appealed to diverse palates, and it wasn't long before teriyaki gained popularity beyond Japan's borders. In the United States, teriyaki became especially popular in Hawaii, where Japanese immigrants introduced the local population to this delightful culinary creation.

What alcohol pairs with teriyaki? ›

Syrah/Shiraz tends to pair well with teriyaki-style beef and grilled sweet and spicy beef. The heavy garlic and smoky sweet mix of spices in Korean food can pair with peppery Aussie Shiraz.

What alcohol goes with teriyaki chicken? ›

If you need a wine to pair with teriyaki chicken or thai chicken or the best wine for Teriyaki Chicken or Thai Chicken, you could try a Sauvignon Blanc to go with it. (SOH-vee-nyawn BLAHNGK): A full white with citrus, melon, tropical & floral notes. Can be smokey.

Can you turn a marinade into a sauce? ›

Marinades that are boiled for safety can be used as a sauce all on their own or additional ingredients can be added as desired. Depending on how thick or thin you want your sauce, you may need to add additional liquid to the marinade since boiling will also reduce and thicken the liquid.

Can you eat teriyaki marinade without cooking? ›

You should never use the raw marinade from chicken on ANYTHING you're not going to cook thoroughly first. It touched raw chicken - it may now be contaminated with salmonella. If you eat it, you might get extremely sick. HOWEVER: that doesn't mean a tasty marinade must be wasted.

Can Kikkoman teriyaki marinade be used as sauce? ›

Made with Kikkoman® Soy Sauce, premium wines, vinegar, corn syrup and Asian seasonings, Kikkoman® Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce gives foods rich teriyaki flavor you can count on time after time. Use it right from the bottle as a marinade, dipping sauce, condiment or signature sauce base.

How do you thicken teriyaki marinade sauce? ›

How to Thicken Teriyaki Sauce. The easiest way to thicken teriyaki sauce is by making a “cornstarch slurry.” To do this, whisk together a little cornstarch with cold water and whisk it into the simmering sauce. After 1-2 minutes, you'll have a delicious, beautiful homemade teriyaki sauce.

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