Easy Chicken Teriyaki Recipe with Homemade Marinade for Flavorful Meals
A quick and flavorful chicken teriyaki recipe featuring a homemade marinade that balances sweet, salty, and umami flavors. Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, and family dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (700 g) chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup (120 ml) soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) honey or brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) rice vinegar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- 1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, water, and sesame oil.
- Marinate the chicken: Toss chicken pieces in the marinade and let sit for at least 20 minutes, up to 2 hours.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces (reserve marinade) and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through.
- Make the sauce: Pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Mix cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Bring marinade to a simmer and whisk in slurry. Stir until sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine and glaze: Add cooked chicken back to the pan and pour thickened sauce over it. Toss to coat evenly.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top. Serve hot over steamed rice or with vegetables.
Notes
Do not over-marinate chicken to avoid toughness. Ensure pan is hot before searing to get a good caramelized crust. Prepare cornstarch slurry before adding to sauce to prevent lumps. Add green onions at the end to keep their crunch and color. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water to loosen.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 6 o
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken teriyaki, homemade teriyaki sauce, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, teriyaki marinade, quick chicken dinner, gluten-free teriyaki