How to Make Teriyaki Chicken?
Teriyaki Chicken is the most popular chicken recipes in Japanese cuisine. Even though it originated from Japan, it has become an American staple that everyone loves!
Imagine tender and juicy chicken thighs doused in sweet and savory teriyaki chicken sauce, served with steamed white rice in a bowl…yummy.
You can make this delicious dish using pantry ingredients that you already have at home.
There are many Japanese teriyaki chicken recipes. What I am sharing with you is a super easy and quick homemade recipe with simple steps.
- First, marinate the chicken with the marinade: soy sauce, sugar and Japanese cooking sake.
- Transfer the marinated chicken and the teriyaki sauce to a skillet and let cook slowly.
- Transfer the chicken out and serve with rice.
My recipe calls for only four (4) simple ingredients: chicken thighs, soy sauce, sugar and Japanese cooking sake. I also have an authentic chicken teriyaki recipe with skin-on chicken thighs.
Japanese Cooking Sake is the Secret Ingredient
Most Japanese recipes call for cooking sake, which is Japanese rice wine made for cooking. It’s a lower grade sake and not for drinking.
Sake rice wine infuses the sauce with the earthy aroma, making this dish absolutely tantalizing.
If you have an Asian store or Japanese store where you are, pick up a bottle of cooking sake. If not, you can always order it online. If you cant’ take alcohol, just skip this ingredient and use water instead.
Other Teriyaki Recipes You Might Like:
Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
For a quick meal, make steamed rice or brown rice. Once the chicken is cooked through, serve it on top of a bowl of rice.
Spoon the teriyaki sauce on top of the chicken, sprinkles some white sesame and chopped scallion and you’ll have a complete meal, or just like the pictures here.
What Dishes to Serve with this Recipe?
This meal is best served with steamed rice as a teriyaki chicken bowl. For a wholesome Japanese meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
Pairs well with:
Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Teriyaki Chicken is the most popular Japanese chicken dish. Learn how to make this easy and the best chicken in teriyaki sauce with only four ingredients.
Ingredients
- 12 oz skinless and boneless chicken thighs
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce or Tamari
- 1 tablespoon sugar or to taste
- 1 tablespoon Japanese cooking sake, optional
- 1 1/2 tablespoons oil
- white sesame, for garnishing
Directions
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1Marinate the chicken with soy sauce, sugar, and cooking sake for 20 minutes. Heat up a skillet with the oil on low heat. When the oil is heated, transfer the chicken and the marinade sauce into the skillet and let cook slowly. Turn the chicken over after 5 minutes and continue to cook on low heat, for another 5 minutes.
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2Dish out and garnish with some sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Huey Peng
Hii can I substitute sugar with honey? And does normal soy sauce works too?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes you can. Yes normal soy sauce is fine.
Nisa
Hi, what can I substitute Mirin with? I need something that does not involve alcohol.
Would love to hear from you soon. Thank you!
Von
Hi can I use Japanese mirin instead of cooking sake?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes you can.
Shiz
Perfect recipe for working families! 2 toddlers in their happy place with this chicken and noodles, freshly cooked after their long day in nursery. Don’t have Miriam so substituted it with Chinese cooling wine and an extra spoon of light brown sugar.
Rasa Malaysia
Awesome your teriyaki chicken sounds yummy! :)
maricel
is japanese mirin the same as japanese cooking wine?
Shiz
I believe it is the same. If it’s sweet you have the right one.
sakara
THE BOMB!! Absolutely the best and easiest recipe I can find on the Net. My whole family adore this, so tasty and 4 ingredients wow. Childs play really
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Sakara, thanks so much, I am so glad that you found my teriyaki chicken recipe! I have the best recipes online, please check them out. https://rasamalaysia.com/recipe-index-gallery/
Mehndi
Looks so delicious!!
Bree
I just made this and I love it! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Bree thanks for trying my teriyaki chicken recipe.
Jolene
This recipe is so easy and is the best tasting teriyaki chicken recipe that I’ve made. I’m eating it right now and IT IS DELICIOUS! Make it tonight. You won’t REGRET it!