This Teriyaki Chicken is quick, easy, and packed with flavor. Juicy chicken is seared until golden, then coated in a sweet and savory homemade teriyaki sauce that thickens into a glossy glaze. The best part? No marinating is needed, and the whole meal comes together in about 15 minutes, perfect for busy nights!
I love how simple the ingredients are, soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar create that deep umami flavor, just like restaurant-style teriyaki. The sauce caramelizes beautifully on the boneless skinless chicken thighs, making every bite tender, sticky, and delicious.
This chicken dinner always feels like a treat, but it’s so easy to make at home. I like serving it over steamed rice with a side of broccoli or a crisp cucumber salad. And if there are leftovers, they make a fantastic next-day lunch!
If you’re looking for a foolproof, flavor-packed dinner, this Teriyaki Chicken is a must-try. It’s one of my favorites, and I think it’ll become one of yours too!
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⭐Why You'll Love This Teriyaki Chicken
- It’s easy but tastes amazing: You don’t need fancy ingredients or a lot of time, but the flavors are just like something you’d get at a great Japanese restaurant.
- The sauce is magic: It’s sweet, savory, and perfectly sticky, it coats the chicken beautifully and makes every bite irresistible.
- Juicy, tender chicken every time: I use boneless skinless chicken thighs, which means you get the best texture, soft, flavorful, and never dry.
- It goes with everything: Serve it with rice, noodles, or even a simple salad, and you’ve got a meal that feels complete and satisfying.
- It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser: Whether you’re making it for yourself, family, or friends, everyone will love it (and probably ask for seconds).
🧾Teriyaki Chicken Ingredients
Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this Teriyaki Chicken recipe:
- Vegetable Oil: I use this to cook the chicken and get that nice golden crust. It also keeps the chicken from sticking to the pan.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: I always choose chicken thighs because they stay soft and juicy. They soak up the teriyaki sauce perfectly, making every bite delicious.
- Mirin: This is a sweet cooking wine that adds a light sweetness and gives the sauce a shiny, glossy finish. It makes the chicken feel extra special.
- Sake: I love using sake because it adds a rich, savory flavor and a little tanginess that balances the sweetness.
- Light Soy Sauce: This brings the salty, umami goodness that makes teriyaki taste so rich and comforting. It’s the heart of the sauce!
- Sugar: I add sugar to give the sauce its classic sweetness and help it thicken into a sticky glaze. It’s what makes the chicken so tasty and glossy.
- Scallion: I like adding this at the end for a fresh, slightly oniony flavor. It also makes the dish look bright and inviting.
- White Sesame Seeds: These add a little crunch and a nutty taste. Plus, they make the chicken look fancy without any extra effort!
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Teriyaki Chicken
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Pat dry four boneless, skinless chicken thighs, then sear them in a skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat until golden brown. Once cooked, transfer them to a plate and set aside.
2. Combine mirin, sake, and soy sauce in a small bowl, stirring until well blended.
3. Pour the sauce into the same skillet, add the sugar, and stir well. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4. Return the chicken thighs to the pan and let the sauce simmer for 4-6 minutes, occasionally spooning it over the chicken. Once the sauce thickens and evenly coats the chicken, remove from heat.
🍽 What to Serve with Teriyaki Chicken
When I make Teriyaki Chicken, I love serving it with steamed rice because it soaks up all that delicious sauce. Sometimes, I switch it up with garlic butter noodles or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas for extra crunch and freshness.
For something light and refreshing, I go for a Japanese cucumber salad or a cozy bowl of miso soup. If I want a heartier side, roasted sweet potatoes add a natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with the teriyaki glaze. And when I want to make the meal feel extra special, I throw in some crispy gyoza or a fresh Asian slaw.
To finish on a sweet note, I love serving lemon mousse or matcha ice cream, both are light, refreshing, and the perfect way to balance out the meal!
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Let the Chicken Brown Without Moving It Too Much: I always let the chicken sit undisturbed in the pan for a few minutes on each side. This helps it get a beautiful golden crust and locks in the juices.
Simmer the Sauce Until It’s Thick and Glossy: At first, the sauce looks thin, but as it cooks, it reduces and turns into a rich, sticky glaze. I know it’s ready when it coats the chicken nicely.
Spoon the Sauce Over the Chicken: While the sauce is thickening, I keep spooning it over the chicken. This makes sure every bite is packed with that sweet and savory teriyaki flavor.
Let the Chicken Rest Before Slicing: After cooking, I let the chicken sit for a minute before cutting it. This keeps it super juicy and prevents the sauce from running off too quickly.
Storage: Store leftover Teriyaki Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or freeze it for up to three months, reheating gently before serving.
🍛More Chicken Recipes to Try!
If you love this Teriyaki Chicken, try these delicious chicken recipes!:
- Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
- Baked Chicken Breast
- Chicken Piccata
- Avocado Chicken Salad
- Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dinner recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
- 500 g Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- 80 ml Mirin
- 80 ml Sake
- 70 ml Light Soy Sauce
- 35 g Sugar
- 1 Scallion - Optional
- White Sesame Seeds - Optional
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Place the chicken thighs smooth side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix mirin, sake, and soy sauce.
- Pour the sauce into the pan, add the sugar, and stir well. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Put the cooked chicken thighs back in the pan.
- Let the sauce simmer and reduce for about 4-6 minutes, occasionally spooning it over the chicken. Once the sauce thickens and coats the chicken beautifully, turn off the heat.
- Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Garnish with chopped scallions and white sesame seeds. Serve over steamed rice, with a side of vegetables or a fresh salad.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
This Teriyaki Chicken recipe is absolutely fantastic! The sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and it coats the chicken beautifully.