Classic Chicken Teriyaki Recipe: The Irresistible Family Favorite

Crafting an authentic chicken teriyaki recipe brings together classic Japanese flavors that dance across your palate with surprising depth.

Sticky sweet and savory notes emerge from a carefully balanced marinade that transforms ordinary chicken into something extraordinary.

Restaurants can’t compete with homemade magic when you understand the simple techniques behind this beloved dish.

Tender chicken pieces absorb rich soy and mirin flavors, creating a harmonious blend that feels both comforting and exciting.

Marinading works like culinary alchemy, turning basic ingredients into a meal that sparks conversation around the dinner table.

Seasonal vegetables alongside perfectly glazed chicken make this recipe a knockout choice for any weeknight dinner.

Dive into this simple yet spectacular chicken teriyaki that promises to become your new favorite go-to meal.

Why Classic Chicken Teriyaki Is A Total Favorite

• Simplify Your Cooking: Tackle this chicken teriyaki with minimal ingredients and basic kitchen skills, making it perfect for home cooks of all levels.
• Flavor-Packed Performance: Enjoy a restaurant-quality dish that transforms simple chicken into a glossy, sweet-savory masterpiece with just a few pantry staples.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Prepare a delicious meal in under half an hour, ideal for busy families seeking a satisfying dinner without complex techniques.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Customize with your favorite protein or vegetables, making this recipe adaptable for picky eaters, meal prep, and casual gatherings.

Ingredients For Classic Chicken Teriyaki Made Easy

• Chicken Breasts, Chicken Thighs: A tender and flavorful meat that forms the main protein of this classic Japanese dish.

• Soy Sauce, Sake, Mirin, Sugar: A perfect blend of savory and sweet ingredients that create the signature teriyaki sauce with a balanced flavor profile.

• Vegetable Oil: Helps to cook the chicken evenly and prevent sticking to the pan.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of the chicken.
• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Optional garnishes that add a nutty crunch and fresh brightness to the finished dish.

Step-By-Step Classic Chicken Teriyaki

Step 1: Slice and Season Chicken

Cut chicken breasts into smaller, even pieces or leave chicken thighs whole. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the chicken to enhance its natural flavors.

Step 2: Whip Up Teriyaki Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Sake
• Mirin
• Sugar

Stir the ingredients until the sugar completely dissolves, creating a smooth and glossy sauce.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Warm oil in a frying pan over medium heat.

Place chicken pieces into the pan and cook until golden brown on both sides. The chicken should be almost fully cooked with a beautiful caramelized exterior.

Step 4: Glaze with Teriyaki Magic

Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the seared chicken. Let the sauce simmer and reduce, gently coating each piece of chicken.

Continue cooking until the chicken is completely done and the sauce transforms into a sticky, luxurious glaze.

Step 5: Plate and Embellish

Transfer the glazed chicken to a serving plate.

Drizzle any remaining sauce from the pan over the top. Sprinkle sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions for a pop of color and extra flavor.

Serve alongside fluffy steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.

Tips For Juicy Classic Chicken Teriyaki

• Slice chicken uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor absorption.
• Dissolve sugar completely in the sauce for a smooth, glossy teriyaki coating that clings perfectly to the meat.
• Control heat carefully during sauce reduction to prevent burning while creating a rich, caramelized glaze.
• Use fresh, high-quality sake and mirin for authentic Japanese flavor depth and balanced sweetness.
• Optional low-carb swap: Replace sugar with honey or monk fruit sweetener for a healthier version without sacrificing taste.

Fun Twists On Classic Chicken Teriyaki

• Spicy Korean Fusion: Swap standard teriyaki sauce with gochujang for a fiery kick, adding red pepper flakes and Korean chili oil during cooking.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Replace sake with white wine, incorporate rosemary and thyme, use olive oil instead of standard cooking oil for a Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Pineapple Tropical Version: Incorporate fresh pineapple chunks into the sauce, caramelize chicken with tropical fruit juice, creating a sweet and tangy teriyaki experience.
• Coconut Curry Adaptation: Mix coconut milk into teriyaki sauce, sprinkle mild curry powder, garnish with toasted coconut flakes for a creamy Southeast Asian-inspired variation.

What Goes Well With Classic Chicken Teriyaki

• Elevate Teriyaki Chicken Dining
• Pair with Crisp Sake: Select a chilled junmai or ginjo sake to complement the sweet and savory teriyaki sauce, balancing the rich chicken flavors with its clean, smooth profile.
• Match with Asian Slaw: Create a tangy cabbage and carrot slaw dressed in rice vinegar and sesame oil to cut through the richness of the teriyaki and provide a refreshing counterpoint.
• Enhance with Cucumber Salad: Prepare a light cucumber salad with rice vinegar, sesame seeds, and a touch of honey to add a cool, bright element that contrasts the warm, glazed chicken.
• Complete with Green Tea: Brew a hot sencha or genmaicha green tea to cleanse the palate and enhance the overall umami experience of the teriyaki dish.

How To Store Classic Chicken Teriyaki Right

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken teriyaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the chicken is completely cooled before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Chicken teriyaki can be frozen for up to 2-3 months without losing its flavor and texture.
• Microwave Reheat: Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and cover with a microwave-safe lid. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Stovetop Reheat: Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra teriyaki sauce to restore moisture.

FAQs On Classic Chicken Teriyaki

• What ingredients make authentic teriyaki sauce?

The traditional teriyaki sauce combines soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar, creating a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors that are essential to Japanese cuisine.

• Is teriyaki chicken originally from Japan?

Yes, teriyaki is a classic Japanese cooking technique where foods are broiled or grilled with a glaze of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, originating from the Tokyo region during the 17th century.

• Can I use different types of chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Both chicken breasts and thighs work well. Thighs tend to be more flavorful and juicy, while breasts are leaner and cook slightly faster. Just ensure you cut them to similar sizes for even cooking.

Classic Chicken Teriyaki Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Savor Japan’s beloved classic chicken teriyaki, a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors that dances on your palate. Succulent chicken glazed with a rich teriyaki sauce promises a culinary journey you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 chicken thighs or breasts

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sake
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Seasonings and Garnish:

• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil, for frying
• Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
• Green onions, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Slice chicken breasts or thighs into uniform pieces, ensuring even cooking. Generously season with salt and pepper to enhance natural flavors.
2. Create teriyaki sauce by whisking soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar in a small bowl until sugar completely dissolves, creating a glossy, balanced mixture.
3. Preheat a frying pan over medium heat with a thin layer of oil. Carefully place chicken pieces into the pan, allowing them to develop a golden-brown crust on each side.
4. Once chicken is nearly cooked and has a rich caramel color, slowly pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the meat. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce gently simmer.
5. Continuously rotate chicken pieces to ensure complete sauce coverage, allowing the liquid to gradually reduce and transform into a luxurious, sticky glaze. Cook until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F.
6. Remove chicken from pan and arrange on a serving plate. Drizzle remaining caramelized sauce over the top for extra flavor intensity.
7. Garnish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions. Accompany with steamed rice and roasted vegetables for a complete, harmonious meal.

Notes

• Slice chicken uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Control pan heat carefully to prevent burning the teriyaki sauce, which can turn bitter and ruin the delicate flavor profile.
• Experiment with protein alternatives like tofu, salmon, or tempeh for vegetarian or seafood-friendly variations that maintain the classic teriyaki essence.
• Let chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to help retain moisture and allow the teriyaki glaze to settle, creating a more intensely flavored and succulent result.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 304
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg