Teriyaki Chicken Recipe With Sticky Glaze

Easy teriyaki chicken recipe fans know that some weeknight meals manage to feel special without demanding hours in the kitchen.

This dish delivers sweet and savory flavors that have made it a takeout favorite for decades, but homemade versions offer so much more control and freshness.

The glossy sauce clings beautifully to tender protein, creating that restaurant experience right at home.

Busy families love how quickly everything comes together on those hectic evenings when time is short but expectations remain high.

The balance of flavors appeals to nearly every palate, making dinner planning less stressful when you need something reliably delicious.

Leftovers reheat wonderfully for lunch the next day, adding even more value to the effort.

Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal that satisfies without overwhelming the cook.

It's time to master a recipe that will become a regular star in the dinner rotation.

Highlights That Make Easy Teriyaki Chicken Reliable

• Quick Family Dinner: This teriyaki chicken comes together faster than ordering takeout, giving your family a delicious homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Pantry-Friendly Recipe: With common ingredients like soy sauce, honey, and chicken, you can whip this up without a special trip to the grocery store.
• Flexible Flavor Customization: By adjusting honey or soy sauce, your sauce can be perfectly tailored to match exactly what your taste buds are craving that evening.
• Simple Coating Technique: Dredging chicken in seasoned flour creates a light, crispy exterior that makes the dish feel more like a restaurant-quality meal at home.

Complete Ingredient List for Easy Teriyaki Chicken

• 1½ Pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Choose tender cuts that cook quickly and soak up the sauce beautifully. Make sure to cut these into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
• 1 Cup Flour: This helps create a crispy, golden coating that seals in the chicken’s juiciness and adds a nice texture to your dish.
• 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder: Brings a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the teriyaki sauce perfectly.
• 1 Tablespoon Paprika: Adds a subtle hint of color and a mild, sweet pepper taste to your chicken coating.
• Salt and Pepper to Taste: These classic seasonings enhance the overall flavor of the chicken.

• ½ Cup Low Sodium Teriyaki Sauce: The base of our delicious sauce, packed with traditional Japanese flavors.
• ¼ Cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Provides a rich, umami depth to the teriyaki mixture.
• 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil: Introduces a nutty, toasted flavor that’s characteristic of Asian cuisine.
• 1 Tablespoon Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory elements of the sauce.
• 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced: Fresh garlic brings a sharp, aromatic punch to the sauce.
• 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce and give it a glossy, smooth consistency.

Best Tools for Teriyaki Chicken

• Large Skillet: Your go-to pan for perfectly browning chicken and creating delicious saucy dishes.
• Mixing Bowl (small, 2-cup size): Essential for whisking together your teriyaki sauce and combining ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise tools for getting the right amount of each seasoning and sauce ingredient.
• Sharp Kitchen Knife: Perfect for cutting chicken into consistent bite-sized pieces.
• Cutting Board: A sturdy surface for prepping your chicken and keeping your counters clean.
• Plastic Bag or Mixing Bowl (medium): Great for dredging chicken in seasoned flour mixture.
• Whisk: Helps blend sauce ingredients and create a smooth, well-incorporated teriyaki mixture.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helpful for stirring chicken and coating it evenly with sauce.

Easy Cooking Method for Teriyaki Chicken

What Helpful Cooking Notes Improve Teriyaki Chicken

• Whisk your teriyaki sauce ingredients thoroughly to ensure every drop blends perfectly, creating a balanced flavor profile.
• Shake your chicken pieces in the seasoned flour mix, making sure each chunk gets an even, crispy layer of deliciousness.
• Use a hot skillet with just enough olive oil to prevent sticking, helping your chicken develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior.
• Add the teriyaki sauce near the end of cooking to prevent burning and let the flavors caramelize nicely around your chicken pieces.
• Serve your teriyaki chicken over warm rice, letting the sauce soak into the grains for maximum flavor impact.

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Sauce Variations

• Gluten-Free Version: Swap regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend, keeping the same coating technique for your chicken pieces.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, cutting into similar-sized chunks and following the same cooking method to get a crispy exterior.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the teriyaki mix to give your sauce an extra heat level that’ll warm up your meal.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use reduced-sodium soy sauce and cut back on added salt in the flour mixture to make this dish friendlier for those watching sodium intake.

Easy Ways to Enjoy Teriyaki Chicken

• Serve with Steamed Rice: Spread a fluffy bed of white rice on your plate, then nestle the glossy teriyaki chicken right on top for a classic, satisfying combination that soaks up all those delicious sauce flavors.
• Quick Green Side: Toss a simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame seeds to add a crisp, cool contrast to your warm chicken, balancing the rich teriyaki sauce perfectly.
• Veggie Boost: Quickly sauté some broccoli or snap peas in the same skillet after cooking the chicken to capture those remaining teriyaki sauce bits and create a complete, colorful meal.
• Garnish with Flair: Sprinkle some chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds over the finished dish to add a fresh crunch and make your teriyaki chicken look restaurant-worthy.

Best Storage Practices For Teriyaki Chicken

• Refrigerate leftover teriyaki chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, making sure to seal it tightly so your meal stays fresh and delicious.
• Freeze individual portions of the chicken in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, which helps preserve the flavor and makes quick reheating a breeze.
• When reheating, sprinkle a few drops of water over the chicken and cover with a damp paper towel to keep the meat moist and prevent it from drying out.
• Store your prepared teriyaki sauce separately in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to a week, ready for your next cooking adventure.

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Common Questions Answered

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Whipping up Easy Teriyaki Chicken takes just minutes in your kitchen, turning a simple weeknight dinner into something special. Succulent chicken pieces gleam with a glossy, sweet-savory sauce that brings classic Japanese flavors right to your plate.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

Coating Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Sauce Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup low sodium teriyaki sauce
• 0.25 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

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Instructions

1. Whisk ½ cup teriyaki sauce, ¼ cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon honey, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl. Blend 2 tablespoons cornstarch into the mixture until fully dissolved.
2. Cut 1½ pounds chicken into bite-sized chunks about 1-inch square.
3. Mix 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon paprika, salt, and pepper in a large plastic bag.
4. Drop chicken pieces into the seasoned flour mixture. Shake the bag vigorously until each piece is completely covered with the coating.
5. Heat a skillet to 375°F. Add a thin layer of olive oil across the pan’s surface.
6. Place floured chicken pieces into the hot skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes, turning each piece halfway through to ensure even browning.
7. Pour prepared teriyaki sauce directly over chicken. Gently toss to coat every piece thoroughly.
8. Reduce heat to 350°F. Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
9. Remove chicken from skillet. Let rest for 2 minutes to allow sauce to slightly thicken and adhere to the meat.
10. Serve immediately over steamed rice or your preferred side dish.

Notes

• Cornstarch helps thicken the sauce and creates a glossy coating that makes the chicken shine.
• Select chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference for leaner or more tender meat.
• Ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature for safe consumption by using a meat thermometer.
• For gluten-free adaptation, replace wheat flour with rice flour or cornstarch when coating chicken.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Sautéed
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 365 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg