Teriyaki Chicken Recipe : Amazing Easy Dinner in 20 Minutes

Name: Teriyaki Chicken Recipe : Amazing Easy Dinner in 20 Minutes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1 tablespoon avocado oil; 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger; 2 cloves garlic, minced; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1/4 cup tamari soy sauce or coconut aminos; 1/4 cup sake; 1/4 cup mirin; 2 tablespoons honey; Sesame seeds, for garnish; Sliced green onion, for garnish

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Some weeknights call for dinner that moves fast but still smells like you spent all evening at the stove. This Teriyaki Chicken hits that sweet spot. As the ginger, garlic, and glossy sauce bubble around the chicken, the kitchen fills with a warm, savory aroma. Better yet, dinner reaches the table in just 20 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Teriyaki Chicken

This Teriyaki Chicken gives you juicy chicken with a sweet, savory, slightly tangy sauce. In fact, the sauce reduces right in the pan, so every bite gets a glossy coating.
Also, the whole recipe takes 10 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook. It serves four, which makes it practical for a quick family dinner.
Meanwhile, you only need one large sauté pan or wok. So, cleanup stays simple after dinner.

Teriyaki Chicken Ingredients

Chicken and Aromatics

You will need 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1 inch cubes. Also, grab 1 tablespoon avocado oil, 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, salt, and pepper.
Chicken thighs work especially well because they stay juicy over high heat. However, chicken breast also works when you prefer leaner meat.

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients

For the sauce, whisk together 1/4 cup tamari soy sauce or coconut aminos, 1/4 cup sake, 1/4 cup mirin, and 2 tablespoons honey.
Together, these ingredients create the classic balance that makes Teriyaki Chicken so satisfying. The tamari adds salty umami, while honey adds sweetness. Meanwhile, mirin and sake bring gentle tang and depth.

Garnishes

Finish the chicken with sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onion.
These simple garnishes add freshness, light crunch, and a little extra texture. Also, green onion gives the rich sauce a fresh contrast.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

For a gluten free version, use tamari. Alternatively, choose coconut aminos when you want a soy free option. Regular soy sauce also works.
If you cannot find sake, add more mirin and reduce the honey. Alternatively, use dry sherry or white wine.
If you do not have mirin, increase the sake and honey. You can also mix water and honey at a 3 to 1 ratio as a replacement.

How to Make Teriyaki Chicken

Make the Teriyaki Sauce

First, add the tamari or coconut aminos, sake, mirin, and honey to a bowl. Then, whisk until everything combines evenly.
Keep the bowl nearby because this recipe moves quickly once the pan gets hot.

Teriyaki Chicken sauce with tamari, sake, mirin and honey being whisked in a glass bowl — Whisking the sweet and savory homemade Teriyaki Chicken sauce.

Brown the Chicken

Next, heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil in a large sauté pan or wok over medium high heat. Add the cubed chicken in an even layer.
Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the first side turns golden. Then, season with salt and pepper, flip the pieces, and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.

Teriyaki Chicken pieces browning in a skillet with avocado oil, salt and black pepper — Teriyaki Chicken pieces browning in avocado oil before adding the homemade sauce.

Add the Sauce, Ginger, and Garlic

Whisk the sauce once more. Then, pour it over the chicken.
Next, add the chopped ginger and minced garlic. Stir everything together so the aromatics spread through the sauce.

Simmer Until Thick and Glossy

Now, simmer the Teriyaki Chicken for 4 to 5 minutes. Stir occasionally as the liquid reduces.
As a result, the sauce turns thicker and shinier. Once it clings to the chicken instead of running across the pan, you have the texture you want.

Teriyaki Chicken with homemade sauce, ginger and garlic added to browned chicken in a skillet — Homemade teriyaki sauce, ginger, and garlic added to golden browned chicken.

Garnish and Serve

Finally, spoon the Teriyaki Chicken over warm white rice. Add steamed broccoli alongside it if you like.
Then, scatter sliced green onion and sesame seeds over the top. The nutty sesame and fresh onion balance that rich, sticky sauce nicely.

Teriyaki Chicken coated in thick glossy homemade sauce after reducing in a skillet — Teriyaki Chicken simmered until the sweet and savory sauce turns thick and glossy.

Tips for the Best Teriyaki Chicken

Use Chicken Thighs for Juicy, Tender Chicken

Chicken thighs handle high heat well and stay tender. Therefore, I reach for thighs when I want dependable, juicy results.
Chicken breasts still work. However, watch them closely because lean breast meat can dry out faster.

Cut the Chicken Into Even Pieces

Cut the chicken into roughly 1 inch cubes. As a result, each piece cooks at about the same speed.
Also, evenly sized pieces make serving easier because every bite gets a similar amount of sauce.

Avoid Overcrowding the Pan

Give the chicken enough room to touch the hot pan. Otherwise, excess moisture can stop the pieces from developing that golden surface.
If your pan feels crowded, cook the chicken in two batches. Then, return everything to the pan before adding the sauce.

Let the Teriyaki Sauce Reduce Properly

Do not rush the final simmer. Instead, give the sauce 4 to 5 minutes to bubble gently and reduce.
As the moisture cooks away, the sauce becomes glossy and coats each piece. However, keep an eye on it near the end because honey can thicken quickly.

What to Serve With Teriyaki Chicken

Rice and Lower-Carb Options

White rice makes an easy partner for Teriyaki Chicken because it catches every spoonful of sauce. Meanwhile, cauliflower rice gives you a lighter, lower carb option.
You can also pair it with brown rice if you prefer a heartier texture.

Vegetable Side Dishes

Steamed broccoli works beautifully because its mild flavor balances the sweet sauce. Also, sautéed spinach, cabbage, green beans, or bok choy fit naturally beside this dinner.
For another easy weeknight combination, add whatever green vegetable already waits in your refrigerator.

Soups and Fresh Sides

Miso soup adds a warm, savory side. Meanwhile, an Asian cucumber salad brings cool crunch and freshness.
Therefore, you can keep the meal cozy or make it lighter depending on what sounds good that evening.

How to Store and Reheat Teriyaki Chicken

How to Store Leftovers

Place leftover Teriyaki Chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 4 days.
However, store cooked rice separately. Otherwise, the rice can soak up extra sauce and turn soggy.

How to Freeze Teriyaki Chicken

You can freeze the chicken for up to 3 months. First, let it cool, and then place portions in freezer safe containers.
For easier meals later, freeze individual portions. Then, you can thaw only what you need.

How to Reheat Teriyaki Chicken

Warm leftovers gently in a skillet over medium low heat. Add a small splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
Alternatively, microwave individual portions until hot. Stir halfway through so the chicken warms evenly.

More Such Recipes

easy crock pot teriyaki chicken
quick Korean egg rice
flavorful Bang Bang chicken bowl
slow cooker lemon pepper chicken with rice
easy homemade butter chicken
slow cooker chicken and gravy
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Teriyaki Chicken FAQs

What is chicken teriyaki made of?

Chicken teriyaki combines chicken with a sweet and savory sauce. In this recipe, tamari, sake, mirin, and honey form the sauce, while ginger and garlic add extra flavor.

Is chicken teriyaki a Chinese dish?

No. Teriyaki comes from Japanese cooking. The term describes a cooking style that pairs food with a glossy, sweet, and savory seasoning.

What is the secret to perfect teriyaki chicken?

First, brown the chicken without crowding the pan. Then, let the sauce simmer long enough to reduce and cling to each piece. Also, chicken thighs help keep the meat tender and juicy.

What does teriyaki taste like?

Teriyaki tastes sweet, savory, slightly tangy, and rich with umami. In this Teriyaki Chicken, honey brings sweetness while tamari adds savory depth. Meanwhile, ginger and garlic give the sauce a warm aromatic finish.

Final Thoughts

Teriyaki Chicken earns its place in the weeknight rotation because it gives you plenty of flavor without a long cooking session. In just 20 minutes, you get tender chicken covered in a thick, glossy sauce that tastes especially good over warm rice.
Also, you can change the sides according to what you have. Add broccoli for an easy dinner, cucumber salad for crunch, or cauliflower rice for a lighter plate. Then, save any leftovers for an easy lunch the next day.

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