Teriyaki Chicken Recipe That’s Sweet and Sticky

Glazed teriyaki chicken recipe enthusiasts know that few weeknight meals deliver such satisfying results with minimal effort required.

The sweet and savory combination appeals to both adults and kids, making it a reliable choice when feeding a crowd or planning family dinners throughout the week.

This dish works beautifully for casual gatherings, meal prep sessions, or those evenings when you need something dependable on the table fast.

The glossy coating and tender protein create a complete meal that pairs well with countless sides.

Busy schedules become easier to manage when you have go-to options that deliver consistent, crowd-pleasing results.

Asian-inspired flavors continue gaining popularity in home kitchens because they offer bold taste without complicated techniques.

Head to the recipe below and see how simple weeknight cooking can be.

Why Teriyaki Chicken Turns Out Juicy

• Quick Weeknight Hero: This teriyaki chicken rescues dinner when time is tight, delivering a restaurant-quality meal straight from your kitchen without complicated steps.
• Simple Flavor Explosion: With just a few pantry staples, you can create a seriously tasty dish that makes everyone at the dinner table happy and satisfied.
• Versatile Dinner Champion: Swap out broccoli for any vegetable hanging out in your fridge, making this recipe perfect for using up whatever ingredients are waiting to be enjoyed.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Chicken, basic sauce ingredients, and rice come together as an affordable meal that doesn’t skimp on taste or satisfaction.

The Building Blocks of Teriyaki Chicken

• Chicken Thighs (1.3 pounds): Boneless and skinless, these tender thighs will soak up the delicious teriyaki sauce perfectly.

• Cooking Oil (1 tbsp): Helps create a smooth, non-stick surface for cooking your chicken.
• Sesame Oil (1 tbsp, optional): Adds a nutty, rich flavor to enhance your dish.
• Soy Sauce (1/4 cup low-sodium): Provides a salty, umami base for your teriyaki sauce.
• Cooking Sake (3 tbsp): Brings depth and complexity to the sauce.
• Mirin (2 tbsp): Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the savory flavors.

• Light Brown Sugar (3 tbsp): Creates a caramelized, sweet glaze that coats your chicken.
• Garlic (2 tsp, minced): Delivers a punchy, aromatic kick to the dish.
• Green Onion (1 stem): Offers a fresh, crisp garnish to finish your meal.
• Cornstarch (1 tsp): Helps thicken the sauce for a glossy, smooth texture.

• Broccoli Florets (4 cups, lightly steamed): Adds a nutritious, green complement to your teriyaki chicken.

Tools Used From Start to Finish for Teriyaki Chicken

• Large Pan (12-inch): Perfect for giving your chicken plenty of room to crisp up without crowding.
• Small Bowl or Jug: Essential for mixing your teriyaki sauce and getting those flavor proportions just right.
• Whisk: Great for blending your sauce ingredients smoothly and eliminating any sugar clumps.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps you stir the chicken and sauce without scratching your pan’s surface.
• Knife: Sharp blade for mincing garlic and slicing green onions with precision.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures your sauce ingredients are balanced and consistent each time.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean, stable surface for chopping your garlic and green onions.
• Steamer (optional): Makes preparing your rice and broccoli a breeze.

How to Make Teriyaki Chicken

Insider Tips for Teriyaki Chicken

• Pat your chicken pieces dry with paper towels to help them brown perfectly and avoid steaming instead of searing.
• Use a heavy-bottomed pan for even heat distribution and prevent burning your teriyaki sauce while getting crispy chicken edges.
• Wait until your chicken is almost fully cooked before adding the sauce, which helps create a glossy, caramelized coating without burning.
• Drop minced garlic into the pan’s center and move quickly – burned garlic turns bitter and can ruin your entire dish’s flavor profile.
• Sprinkle fresh green onion slices just before serving to add a bright, crisp note that makes the teriyaki chicken pop with freshness.

Top Teriyaki Chicken Recipe Variations

• Gluten-Free Version: Swap regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the dish safe for your gluten-sensitive friends, keeping all other ingredients and steps exactly the same.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with extra-firm tofu or tempeh, pressing out excess moisture and cutting into bite-sized cubes before stir-frying to get that same crispy texture.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Drizzle some sriracha or add red pepper flakes when mixing the sauce to give your teriyaki a fiery boost that’ll wake up your taste buds.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Skip the rice and serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to cut down on carbohydrates while keeping all the delicious teriyaki flavor.

How to Serve Teriyaki Chicken

• Serve with Care: Spoon the teriyaki chicken over a bed of fluffy steamed rice, making sure each portion gets a generous coating of that glossy sauce.
• Garnish Generously: Sprinkle fresh green onion slices across the top to add a bright, crisp pop of color and a mild oniony freshness.
• Perfect Side Partners: Pair this dish with a simple cucumber salad or quick pickled vegetables to balance the rich, sweet teriyaki flavor.
• Temperature Tip: Serve immediately while the chicken is hot and the sauce is still glossy, ensuring maximum flavor and texture.

Storage Tips for Teriyaki Chicken

• Refrigerate leftover teriyaki chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the sauce separate from the rice to maintain its crisp texture.
• Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying out and help restore the original glaze.
• Microwave in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and keep the chicken moist.
• Transform cold leftovers into a quick lunch by chopping the chicken and tossing into a fresh salad or wrapping in a tortilla with some extra green onions.

Teriyaki Chicken Frequently Asked Questions

Glazed Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 13 minutes
• Yield: 3 to 4 1x

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Description

Teriyaki chicken brings Japanese-style comfort right to your dinner table with tender chicken glazed in a sweet-tangy sauce that slides perfectly over steamed rice. Weeknight meals get an easy upgrade when this simple, delicious recipe comes together in just 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1.3 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs

Vegetables:

• 4 cups broccoli florets, lightly steamed
• 1 shallot green onion stem
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic

Sauce and Seasonings:

• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons cooking sake
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil, optional
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

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Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat (375°F) for 2-3 minutes until the surface is evenly warm.
2. Place 1.3 pounds chicken thighs into the pan, spreading them in a single layer so each piece can brown perfectly.
3. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes, flipping occasionally to ensure even golden-brown coloring on all sides.
4. Whisk together ¼ cup soy sauce, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 3 tablespoons Sake, 2 tablespoons Mirin, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a small bowl until completely combined.
5. Push chicken to one side of the pan and add 2 teaspoons minced garlic to the center, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Pour the prepared sauce over chicken, stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes until the liquid transforms into a glossy, thick glaze.
7. Add 4 cups lightly steamed broccoli florets to the pan, gently tossing to coat with teriyaki sauce.
8. Sprinkle 1 thinly sliced green onion stem across the top for a fresh garnish.
9. Transfer the teriyaki chicken and broccoli onto a bed of steamed rice, ensuring each serving gets an equal portion of sauce.

Notes

• Choose chicken thighs for more flavor and tenderness compared to chicken breast.
• Keep heat at medium to prevent burning garlic and creating bitter notes in the sauce.
• Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to ensure sugar dissolves completely and creates a smooth glaze.
• Slice green onions diagonally for an attractive presentation and more pronounced onion flavor.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Sautéed
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3 to 4
• Calories: 261 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg