Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This teriyaki chicken is quick, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. The homemade teriyaki sauce combines soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger for a rich, glossy glaze that coats the chicken perfectly. Whether you use the stovetop, slow cooker, Instant Pot, or oven, you’ll enjoy tender, juicy chicken in under 30 minutes. It’s a versatile dish that pairs well with steamed rice and vegetables, making it an ideal meal for any occasion.

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 ¼ pounds chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes

For the teriyaki sauce:

• ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 teaspoons ginger, minced

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• ¼ cup water

• Sesame seeds and green onions for garnish

Directions

1. In a bowl, whisk together all the teriyaki sauce ingredients.

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.

3. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the chicken and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

4. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 10 minutes

• Total Time: 20 minutes

Variations

• For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.

• You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a juicier option.

• If you prefer a sweeter sauce, increase the brown sugar or honey to taste.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through. You can also freeze the cooked chicken and sauce for up to 3 months.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought teriyaki sauce for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute store-bought teriyaki sauce if you're short on time, but homemade sauce gives the best flavor.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the chicken and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.

What side dishes go well with teriyaki chicken?

Serve it with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or a fresh cucumber salad for a balanced meal.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work great in this recipe. They are juicier and more flavorful than chicken breasts.

How do I thicken the sauce?

If the sauce is too thin, simply dissolve a teaspoon of cornstarch in water and stir it into the sauce to thicken it.

Can I cook this recipe in a slow cooker?

Yes, place the chicken and sauce in a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Yes, feel free to toss in some vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas for added flavor and texture.

Can I use a different protein?

Yes, this recipe works with fish, pork, or beef as alternatives to chicken.

Can I make this recipe in the Instant Pot?

Yes, place the chicken and sauce in the Instant Pot, cook on high for 10 minutes, then thicken the sauce using the sauté function.

Conclusion

This easy teriyaki chicken recipe is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Whether you’re cooking it for a weeknight dinner or meal prepping for the week, it’s sure to be a hit. With options for different cooking methods and plenty of variations to suit your tastes, this recipe is as versatile as it is delicious.

Print

Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

This easy teriyaki chicken recipe combines a sweet and savory homemade teriyaki sauce with tender, juicy chicken. Whether you cook it on the stovetop, in the oven, in an Instant Pot, or slow cooker, you can enjoy this flavorful dish in under 30 minutes. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prepping, it pairs wonderfully with steamed rice and veggies for a balanced meal.

• Author: Janet
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 ¼ pounds chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes

For the teriyaki sauce:

¼ cup low sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons ginger, minced

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon cornstarch

¼ cup water

Sesame seeds and green onions for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk together all the teriyaki sauce ingredients.

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.

3. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the chicken and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

4. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

 

Notes

• For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce.

• You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier option.

• If you prefer a sweeter sauce, increase the brown sugar or honey to taste.

• This recipe is also easily customizable with vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas.