Teriyaki Chicken

Sweet, Savory & Glazed to Perfection

Teriyaki Chicken is a Japanese-American classic featuring juicy chicken coated in a glossy, sweet-savory glaze made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. It’s quick to make, deeply flavorful, and perfect over rice or noodles.

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🍗 The Ultimate Homemade Teriyaki Chicken

Prep Time: 15 mins (+ optional marinate) | Cook Time: 15 mins | Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into 1-inch pieces or left whole
• 1 tbsp neutral oil (like vegetable or avocado oil)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for crispy coating)
• Salt and pepper

For the Teriyaki Sauce:

• ½ cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
• ¼ cup mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine) – *sub with 2 tbsp honey + 2 tbsp water*
• ¼ cup sake or dry sherry (or substitute with chicken broth)
• 3 tbsp brown sugar or honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry, for thickening)

For Serving:

• Steamed white rice
• Sesame seeds and sliced green onions
• Steamed broccoli or other veggies

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👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Chicken:

• Pat chicken dry. If using pieces, toss with 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional for crispiness). Season lightly with salt and pepper.

2. Make the Teriyaki Sauce:

• In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.
• In a separate small bowl, make the cornstarch slurry.

3. Cook the Chicken:

• Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
• Add chicken in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Cook 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

4. Make the Glaze:

• In the same skillet, pour in the teriyaki sauce mixture. Bring to a simmer.
• Stir the cornstarch slurry and gradually whisk into the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened and glossy.
• Return chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until heated through and well-glazed.

5. Serve:

• Serve over steamed rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
• Optional: add steamed vegetables on the side.