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    Home » Recipes

    Easy Teriyaki Chicken

    Published: Jun 9, 2021 · Modified: Oct 14, 2023 by Audrey Sommer · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments · 1409 words. · About 8 minutes to read this article.

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    Ironically, teriyaki chicken has never been my favorite (you’re probably wondering why, at this point, am I writing the recipe). However, I was craving some one day, and decided to read a few recipes for inspiration. I whipped up something I thought would satisfy me best, and viola, this Easy Teriyaki Chicken came up. It turned out a lot better than I expected.

    Honestly, like too many recipes, this one is super easy and can be whipped up in minutes. Now, if you choose to marinate the chicken for a long time, then it can’t be whipped up quickly. Skipping this step will still produce a great result. In today’s post, we’ll go over tips for making the best and easy teriyaki chicken, sides to serve with teriyaki chicken, main ingredients, and substitutes you can use.

    Table of Contents

    • What are the Main Ingredients for Easy Teriyaki Chicken?
    • Tips to Make the Best Easy Teriyaki Chicken
    • What Can You Serve With Teriyaki Chicken?
    • What Substitutes Can Be Used if I Don’t Have all the Ingredients?
    • More Asian-Style Recipes to Try

    What are the Main Ingredients for Easy Teriyaki Chicken?

    Chicken (duh) – I prefer chicken thighs, as it provides more flavor and doesn’t dry out as easily during the cooking process. However, chicken breasts are much leaner and will contain less fat per gram. So, it’s ultimately up to you.

    Brown Sugar – Brown sugar will provide that classic sweet flavor you will always experience with Teriyaki chicken. This is one of the key ingredients. Plus, the sugar will caramelize and thicken the sauce during the cooking process, making the sauce thick to pour over the rice.

    Soy Sauce – Soy sauce will balance out the sugar and provide that much needed Unami flavor. It will add a savory component that is much needed. This will be a main ingredient.

    Garlic – Now, I am putting more garlic in my Teriyaki Chicken version. However, you are free to add less, but I think garlic makes everything taste better – adding too much doesn’t exist. Overall, garlic will add a bit of spice and Unami to the dish unlike soy sauce.

    Ginger – Ginger will give a power punch of flavor, and will balance out the harsh salty and sweet flavors with a more fresh and light flavor.

    Vinegar – Vinegar will behave similarly to ginger, adding an element of much-needed acidity.

    Chili – Chili will add the necessary spice factor that will round out the dish. I used Sambal, which is a type of Indonesian sauce. You can use any type of chili you want, as long as there is some spice.

    Tips to Make the Best Easy Teriyaki Chicken

    Marinade the Chicken Overnight

    Now if you don’t have time, marinating your chicken for 15-20 minutes or cooking right away will be just fine. However, marinating the chicken overnight will allow it to soak up all the flavors.

    Add Cornstarch Water to Your Pan

    This is a golden rule for any sauce you want to thicken up. By mixing cornstarch with cold water, and dropping a few tablespoons of the liquid into your sauce, it will thicken the sauce and prevent it from being too watery. Plus, it’s how you can imitate the restaurant style of teriyaki chicken. I usually add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to ⅓ – ½ cup of water.

    Keep the Chicken Moving if on High Heat

    Since there’s a lot of garlic in this Easy Teriyaki Chicken (more than the classic recipe), you will want to stir the garlic sauce frequently if the pan is on high heat. This will prevent the garlic from burning. That’s why it’s recommended to bring your heat to medium and cover it with a lid to continue and finish the cooking process.

    What Can You Serve With Teriyaki Chicken?

    Seaweed: Seaweed snacks are one of my favorites! You don’t have to eat them just for a snack. I love putting rice and kimchi inside of mine and folding it up and taking a bite. I would recommend taking some teriyaki chicken and rice and doing the same.

    Kimchi: Having this side dish is up to you, but I grew up eating kimchi, so it’s my go-to side dish. I absolutely love it! Fermented cabbage, it’s great to add some fresh vegetables to a rich chicken marinade.

    Rice: This one is a no brainer. You need a carb to go with your protein.

    Edamame: Edamame will further diversify the nutritional profile of your dish. It’s a great source of plant-based protein.

    Sautéed Baby Bok Choy: I love this easy side dish. Just diagonally slice baby bok choy, and sauté in a frying pan with minced garlic until slightly wilted. Then add in soy sauce and ground white pepper, and then you have a healthy side dish to pair with the sweet teriyaki chicken.

    Teriyaki Chicken Easy broad view

    What Substitutes Can Be Used if I Don’t Have all the Ingredients?

    Ginger –Using fresh ginger is the preferred method. However, if you’re in a pinch, then you can use dry ground ginger. Just make sure to use less, like ½-1 tsp.

    Garlic –You can substitute this as well, but with how much garlic I put into the dish, it really won’t be the same. However, you can use about 1 teaspoon to 1 tbs. of garlic powder or flakes.

    Chicken Thighs –If you don’t have chicken thighs, then you can use chicken breasts, no problem. You can use any cut of chicken really. You can even use tempeh or tofu if you’re vegan.

    Rice Vinegar –In a pinch, you can use apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.

    Cornstarch –Cornstarch can be substituted with arrowroot starch powder, which is great! That’s because arrowroot powder is naturally grain-free and paleo-friendly.

    Sesame Oil –Sesame oil is hard to replace or substitute, because it has such a strong and distinct flavor. But if you must, peanut oil is a good alternative.

    Brown Sugar –I would try to use brown sugar as much as you can, even if you don’t have enough for the recipe – use what you can! However, in a pinch you can also use regular sugar and honey.

    Soy Sauce –You can use low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos.

    Teriyaki Chicken Easy_wide view

    I hope all of these tips were helpful! If you decide to make this recipe, don’t forget to take a photo of your creation and post your teriyaki chicken with the hashtag #audreythena and tag @audreythena_foodgoddess. Okay, let’s dive into the recipe.

    More Asian-Style Recipes to Try

    • Chicken Green Bean Mushroom Stir Fry
    • Chinese Chicken Salad
    • Korean Beef Rice Bowl
    • Korean Cucumber Salad
    Teriyaki Chicken Easy in a bowl

    Easy Teriyaki Chicken

    Audrey Sommer
    This Easy Teriyaki Chicken is made with soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, Sambal, and other ingredients and is paired well with freshly steamed white rice, kimchi, sautéed bok choy, and seaweed snacks.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Japanese
    Servings 5
    Calories 334 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 lb. boneless and skinless chicken thighs
    • 1 tbs. cornstarch
    • ⅓ cup water
    • Rice, seaweed snacks, kimchi, and edamame to put as sides for a well-balanced meal optional

    Marinade

    • ¾ cup soy sauce
    • ⅓ cup brown sugar
    • 10 cloves garlic minced
    • 2" knob ginger grated
    • 1 tbs. sesame oil
    • 1 tbs. Sambal
    • ¼ tsp. ground white pepper
    • 2 tsp. rice vinegar

    Instructions
     

    • Combine the marinade ingredients together and whisk in a bowl.
    • In a separate bowl or Ziploc gallon bag, put in the 2 lb. of chicken thighs and pour in the teriyaki marinade.
    • Seal the bag or put plastic wrap over the bowl with the chicken and marinade well combined.
    • Let it sit and marinade for 15-20 minutes or preferably overnight.
    • Prepare the cornstarch water by mixing together in a small bowl, the 1 tbs. of cornstarch and ⅓ cup of water. Mix thoroughly until you get a foggy liquid.
    • Heat a large frying pan with 1 Tbs. of oil (like to use avocado oil), and lay in the marinated chicken thighs inside the pan.
    • Pour over 3 tbs. of the cornstarch water over the chicken thighs laying in the pan. Stir in the cornstarch water by moving the chicken around the pan and mixing it with the marinade.
    • Cook on each side for 5-10 minutes each on medium to high heat.
    • Then reduce the heat to medium and cover the pan with a lid, and continue to cook until the thighs are all the way cooked through, about 5-10 more minutes. You might be able to skip this step depending on how thin your chicken thighs are.
    • Serve with rice, kimchi, edamame, and seaweed for a healthy, well-rounded, and satisfying meal.

    Nutrition Facts

    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Teriyaki Chicken
    Serving Size
     
    5
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    334
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    10
    g
    15
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    13
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.03
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    172
    mg
    57
    %
    Sodium
     
    2180
    mg
    95
    %
    Potassium
     
    568
    mg
    16
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    20
    g
    7
    %
    Fiber
     
    0.5
    g
    2
    %
    Sugar
     
    15
    g
    17
    %
    Protein
     
    39
    g
    78
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    48
    IU
    1
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    4
    mg
    5
    %
    Calcium
     
    48
    mg
    5
    %
    Iron
     
    3
    mg
    17
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Calories
    334
    Serving Size
     
    5
    Nutrition Facts

    These values were taken from a nutrition calculator.

    Keyword chicken marinade, easy, Easy Teriyaki Chicken, healthy, marinade, quick, teriyaki marinade
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jimmy Clare

      June 10, 2021 at 9:59 pm

      I would like to have some please

      Reply
    2. Tracy

      June 14, 2021 at 3:55 pm

      This looks delicious! Will be trying

      Reply
      • Audrey Sommer

        June 22, 2021 at 4:38 am

        Thank you! I hope you like it!

        Reply
    3. @maradachaffins

      July 04, 2021 at 11:36 am

      One of my favorite dishes! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Audrey Sommer

        July 20, 2021 at 1:54 am

        No problem! Thank you!

        Reply
    4. Ruth

      July 15, 2021 at 2:49 am

      This recipe looks great. Look forward to trying it.

      Reply
      • Audrey Sommer

        July 20, 2021 at 1:53 am

        Thank you! I hope you like it!

        Reply
    5. Noe

      July 15, 2021 at 3:54 am

      This is yummmm.... and also love how you explain how each ingredient will take part in the cook.

      Reply
      • Audrey Sommer

        July 20, 2021 at 1:53 am

        Thank you! I'm glad it was helpful!

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    Welcome!

    Hi, I'm Audrey! I've been cooking and developing recipes for over 10 years. I've always been passionate about sharing healthy food with others. I started cooking when I was very young. I would help my mom in the kitchen, and that's when I started my love of food.

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