Chicken Teriyaki is a classic dish that the whole family will love! Crispy chicken is cooked in a skillet and coated with a glossy, sweet sauce. You can make it in under 30 minutes and it's much healthier than take out!
Chicken Teriyaki is an easy, versatile, family-friendly dish. Crispy chicken is cooked in a skillet and coated with a glossy, sweet sauce. What’s not to love?
What is Teriyaki?
In America, teriyaki is a common sauce that’s popular with both kids and adults because of its sweet flavor. You can find it on plenty of restaurant menus or you can buy bottled versions of it at the supermarket. But why buy a bottle of it when you can make a delicious and healthier version at home with just a few ingredients?
Technically, teriyaki isn’t actually a sauce but rather a Japanese cooking method. Teriyaki involves grilling meat and then glazing it with a sauce. The meat is typically brushed with or dipped in the sauce several times while cooking.
How To Make Chicken Teriyaki
Although traditionally it’s grilled, you can also make chicken teriyaki in a skillet. I like the skillet method because you can cook the chicken and sauce together. As the sauce cooks, it bubbles up and becomes thick and glossy, forming a delicious glaze on the chicken.
You can use chicken breasts but thighs will be juicier. To cut down on saturated fat, buy skinless chicken thighs. Many recipes for teriyaki call for cornstarch because it thickens the sauce quickly. However, traditional recipes don't use cornstarch but rather, let the sauce thicken naturally by reducing it in the skillet. As the sauce gets reduced, the sugars are caramelized, resulting in a glossy brown sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.
I like to use slices of ginger in my sauce to infuse it with extra flavor as it simmers. You could grate the ginger into the sauce but I prefer to keep the sauce smooth and glossy without any graininess. I remove the ginger slices before serving.
What to do with Leftover Chicken Teriyaki
Once you’ve enjoyed your chicken teriyaki, what can you do with the leftovers the next day? There are so many options! Keep in mind you may want to double the recipe depending on how big your family is. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
- Shred it and make Asian tacos with cabbage slaw, fresh cilantro and a Sriracha aioli
- Dice it up and use it in an Asian chicken salad with lettuce, carrots, oranges, and peanuts
- Layer it on tortillas with shredded cheese to make yummy quesadillas
- Make chicken teriyaki pizza using store-bought pizza dough
- Toss it into a soup for a boost of protein
- Added shredded chicken to grilled cheese for a delicious twist on the classic sandwich
What to Serve with Chicken Teriyaki
I serve my Chicken Teriyaki on a bed of steamed brown rice with roasted broccoli on the side. Here are some more ideas for what to serve with it.
- Quinoa Fried Rice
- Cold Sesame Noodles
- Sesame Roasted Broccoli
- The Perfect Oven-Roasted Vegetables
- Miso Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Check out These Other Asian Inspired Recipes
Chicken Teriyaki
Crispy chicken coated with a glossy, sweet sauce- this Chicken Teriyaki is the perfect family-friendly weeknight meal.
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Servings: 4
Calories: 293kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons low sodium tamari (if gluten-free) or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 2 tablespoons sake
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 slices (about ¼-inch thick) fresh ginger
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of fat
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon neutral-flavored oil like safflower, peanut or grapeseed
- Sliced scallions and black sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the soy sauce, mirin, sake, honey and ginger together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken, presentation side down. Sear the chicken without moving it, until browned, 4-5 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook another 7-8 minutes until done (cooking time will vary depending on the size of the thighs).
- Drain the fat from the pan (you can do this by blotting with a paper towel). This will help ensure a thick and glossy sauce.
- Carefully pour the sauce over the chicken. Turn the chicken often, coating it with the sauce. As the sauce cooks, it will thicken up. Continue cooking a few more minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated and the sauce forms a thick glaze on the chicken.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice it. Remove the ginger slices and spoon any extra sauce on top of the chicken. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve with brown rice.
Nutrition
Serving: 0g | Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 162mg | Sodium: 1065mg | Potassium: 443mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 41IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 2mg
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Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder says
ooooah, I actually just make teriyaki today (although fish not chicken). Chicken Teriyaki is my biggest comfort food ^_^
The recipe redux links are great ... healthy food = more quantities of food I can eat. Thanks for sharing Sonali 🙂
Ashley C. says
I love this series because I am a huge fan of recipes that can be used as leftovers in another dish the next day. During the week I don't have a lot of time to cook elaborate meals so I love easy meals like this!
sonaliruder says
I'm totally with you Ashley! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Cotter Crunch says
GF, not sweet, and oh so thick! i love you! you make me swoon over sauce
sonaliruder says
That's the sweetest comment ever!
Sarah says
MMmm this looks delicious! I like that there are so many uses for this chicken from salad to pizza!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Sarah, it really is such a versatile dish!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Loved the idea of making chicken teriyaki sauce. Everything I see here is just so DELECTABLE!
sonaliruder says
Thanks for stopping by Anu!
Lauren @ Eating with a Purpose says
Yum- love that you did this without corn starch. If you hadn't noticed already, I love all types of Asian flavors... pinning to make!
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much Lauren!
Rebecca Pytell says
So pinned this! It looks delicious! XOXO
sonaliruder says
Thanks Rebecca!
Francesca Cugini says
Looks amazing and I don't even eat meat! Saving to the husband archives 😀
sonaliruder says
Whoa, that's a huge compliment! Thank you!
Katie Serbinski says
I know for sure your chicken Teriyaki is lower in sodium than anything I'd get from a restaurant! And it's a whole lot prettier too 🙂 I'd have to hide the extra so there would actually be leftovers in my house. This is one of my husband's favorite dishes!
sonaliruder says
Thanks for all the kind words Katie 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
I love that 1. The sauce is homemade and not chock full of sugar and 2. It looks better than any takeout I've had and we always get terriyaki chicken take out!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Arman, that really means a lot to me!
Dixya says
i have never tried making the sauce at home, thanks for sharing that. pinning it.
sonaliruder says
Thanks Dixya!
Shashi Charles says
I am loving your homemade Teriyaki sauce, Sonali! That glaze is wonderful! Only thing is I don't see there being any leftovers if I made this in my house!
sonaliruder says
Haha, that's awesome Shashi! Thanks 🙂
Jessica Levinson says
I love chicken teriyaki, but have to confess I usually just use bottled teriyaki sauce. Totally making your homemade version next time! Love the second day ideas too - especially the tacos!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Jess, I hope you enjoy my sauce!
Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite says
This looks delicious! I love the suggestions you provided for how to serve it. Teriyaki pizza sounds amazing!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Elizabeth! I'm totally with you, you can never go wrong with pizza!
Anne|Craving Something Healthy says
This looks delicious Sonali - and so easy. Chicken Teriyaki is a fav in my house too - can't wait to try your recipe!
sonaliruder says
Thanks Anne, I hope you enjoy it!
Farrah says
I love being able to recycle recipes, and teriyaki chicken has long been one of my favorite dishes ever! <3 This looks absolutely delicious! *-*
sonaliruder says
Thanks Farrah 🙂
Alanna says
Thanks for the teriyaki lesson - I never knew the true meaning! This dish looks oh so delicious 🙂
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much Alanna!
Diane Boyd says
Looks so moist and juicy. Love the ideas for day #2, espcially Asian chicken salad.
sonaliruder says
Thanks Diane!
Min Kwon says
Oh my...look at that thick and glistening glaze!! I love the skillet method and will definitely have to try that next time! Mmmm...all your suggestions sound delicious, but today, chicken teriyaki pizza is calling my name! 😉
sonaliruder says
Thanks so much Min! For some reason, I feel like pizza is always calling my name 🙂
Lisa Lin says
I love leaving some teriyaki sauce around handy so that I can use it to flavor meats or use it as a sauce for pizza! This looks delicious, Sonali!
sonaliruder says
I'm with you Lisa, it's such a great addition to so many dishes! Thanks!