Delve into the delicious world of Homemade Chicken Teriyaki, a Japanese classic that's both easy to prepare and delightfully flavorful. This dish brings a perfect balance of sweet and savory, with its tender chicken coated in a rich, glossy Teriyaki Sauce. Ideal for any meal, it's versatile enough to be fried, broiled, grilled, or stir-fried, and pairs wonderfully with your choice of rice.
What You’ll Find On This Page
Whether for a bustling weeknight dinner or a unique lunch, Chicken Teriyaki is a crowd-pleaser. Let’s dive into the art of creating this deliciously simple dish.
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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
This Teriyaki Chicken recipe uses basic Asian pantry staples and aromatics, easily found in Asian grocery stores or the Asian aisle of gourmet stores. Let's explore the ingredients needed for this delicious dish.
- Boneless Chicken: Opt for either breast or thigh cuts, skinless for convenience. These cuts ensure a juicy and flavorful base for the Teriyaki sauce.
- Sauces: Use Tamari Sauce for depth and mirin for a hint of sweetness, key to achieving the authentic Japanese flavor. Traditional recipes often include sake, a Japanese rice wine. While not used here due to availability, feel free to add sake if you have it.
- Brown Sugar and Honey: Traditional recipes typically call for brown sugar. Here, honey is also included for an extra glossy, sticky look and its natural sweetness.
- Aromatics: Basic yet essential, ginger and garlic significantly enhance the dish's flavor. Garlic powder is added to marinate the chicken, infusing more taste into the meat.
- Cornstarch: It serves as a thickening agent for the sauce and as a marinade component, contributing to the chicken's tender texture.
- Spices: To introduce a gentle heat, chili flakes and black pepper powder are used. These spices are the sole heat sources in the recipe, balancing the sweet and savory elements.
How to Make Teriyaki Chicken at Home?
Follow our Teriyaki Chicken recipe with accompanying photos and video. We'll marinate the chicken, pan-fry it, prepare the teriyaki sauce, and assemble the dish. Let's begin!
Explore More Asian Favorites:
- Teriyaki Salmon
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- Sweet and Sour Chicken
- General Tso's Chicken
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Szechuan Chicken
- Thai Basil Chicken
- Filipino Chicken Adobo
- Chicken Stir Fry
Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients
For Marination
- 1½ lb Boneless Chicken Thighs, small bite size pieces
- 1 tbsp Tamari Sauce
- ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
For Frying Chicken
- 2 tbsp Oil
For Cornstarch Slurry
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 3 tbsp Water
For the Sauce
- 1 tbsp Ginger , chopped
- 2 tbsp Garlic, chopped
- 2 Dry Red Chili
- 3 tbsp Tamari Sauce
- 1 tbsp Mirin, nothing but sweetened rice wine
- 1 tsp Chili Flakes
- ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 3 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 tbsp Honey
- ½ cup Water
- Salt, as needed
For Garnishing
- Sesame Seeds
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a mixing bowl, add the chicken thigh pieces along with all the ingredients listed under the marination section.
- Thoroughly mix everything to ensure the chicken is well-coated. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse into the chicken.
Fry the Chicken
- Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Place the marinated chicken pieces in the pan, spacing them out to avoid overcrowding. This ensures even cooking and a perfect sear.
- Fry the chicken for about 3 to 5 minutes on each side. The chicken should turn a rich, golden brown color, indicating it's cooked just right.
- Once the chicken pieces are golden brown on both sides and cooked through, gently remove them from the pan. Set them aside for later use.
Prepare Teriyaki Sauce
- Using the same pan with the remaining oil, add ginger, garlic, and dry red chili. Sauté these ingredients until they become aromatic. This step is crucial for infusing the oil with flavors, forming the foundation of your sauce.
- To the aromatic base, pour in the soy sauce, rice wine, chili flakes, ground black pepper, brown sugar, honey, salt, and water. Stir everything thoroughly, ensuring the ingredients are well combined. This mix brings together the savory, sweet, and spicy elements of the sauce.
- Bring the sauce to a boil and let it simmer for about 2 minutes. Stir in the cornstarch slurry (dilute the specified amount of cornstarch in water mentioned in the ingredients).
- Continue cooking while stirring, until the sauce achieves a glossy and thick consistency. The cornstarch slurry is key to thickening the sauce, giving it that classic Teriyaki glaze.
Prepare Teriyaki Chicken
- Add the fried chicken thighs into the sauce in the pan, ensuring they're well coated. Mix gently to ensure even coverage. Let the chicken cook in the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes. This step allows the chicken to absorb the flavors of the sauce and become infused with its rich taste.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds over the Teriyaki Chicken as a garnish to add a nutty flavor and enhance the visual appeal. Then, remove the pan from the heat. Your delicious Teriyaki Chicken is ready to be savored.
Serve
- Savor the Teriyaki Chicken with simple sides or explore our Serving Suggestions section for more pairing ideas. From classic rice to refreshing salads, find the perfect accompaniments to enhance your meal!
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
Marination and Cooking Techniques:
- Marinating Time: For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 10 minutes, or longer if time allows. This helps the chicken absorb the flavors more fully.
- Consistent Cut Sizes: Ensure your chicken pieces are uniformly cut. This promotes even cooking and ensures each bite is equally tender and flavorful.
- Sauce Thickness: Adjust the thickness of your Teriyaki sauce to your preference. If you like it thicker, simmer longer; for a thinner sauce, reduce the simmering time.
- Balancing Flavors: Taste your Teriyaki sauce as you cook. Adjust with a little more honey for sweetness or a splash of Tamari sauce for a deeper umami flavor.
- Non-stick Pan: Use a non-stick pan for frying the chicken to prevent sticking and ensure a smooth, even glaze of the sauce.
- Resting the Chicken: Let the cooked chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps retain its juices, making it more tender and delicious.
Versatile Cooking Methods for Teriyaki Chicken:
- Grilling Option: Instead of stir-frying, consider grilling the chicken (thighs or breasts), basting it with the sauce for added flavor. Alternatively, fry the chicken in oil and glaze with Teriyaki sauce just before serving for a rich taste.
- Baking for Health: For a healthier version, bake chicken breasts, drumsticks, or thighs. Coat them in Teriyaki marinade and cook until done. Basting with sauce intermittently during baking enhances the flavor.
- Chicken Wings Variation: Create a Japanese-inspired party dish by glazing fried or oven-baked chicken wings in sticky Teriyaki Sauce for a delightful twist.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Explore our curated collection of chicken dinner and Asian recipes, tailored for diverse tastes and dietary needs. Delight in the rich flavors and simplicity of our stir-fry and Chinese chicken dishes, crafted for an enjoyable cooking experience.
Serving Suggestions
For an exceptional dining experience, try these serving suggestions with your Homemade Chicken Teriyaki:
- Rice Pairings: Serve with fluffy white rice, nutty brown rice, or aromatic jasmine rice for a classic combination.
- Noodle Delight: Pair with soba or udon noodles for a hearty, fulfilling meal.
- Vegetable Side: Add a side of steamed vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or a colorful stir-fry to balance the meal.
- Salad Option: A crisp Asian-inspired salad with a light dressing complements the dish's rich flavors.
- Soup Accompaniment: Begin with a light miso soup for a truly traditional Japanese meal experience.
Storage Suggestions
Teriyaki Chicken is best enjoyed warm and fresh, brimming with flavors right after cooking. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored safely. Keep them in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. This ensures your Teriyaki Chicken remains delicious for later enjoyment.
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