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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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is only 324 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Teriyaki Chicken
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Teriyaki Recipes You Might Like
Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients
- 12 oz (350g) 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
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken with soy sauce, sugar, and cooking sake for 20 minutes. Heat a skillet with oil over low heat. Once the oil is hot, transfer the chicken and the marinade to the skillet and cook slowly.
- Turn the chicken over after 5 minutes and continue cooking on low heat for another 5 minutes.
- Dish out and garnish with sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love how easy and yet so tasty. I did add a sprinkle of powdered garlic and was just so tasty.
Hii can I substitute sugar with honey? And does normal soy sauce works too?
Yes you can. Yes normal soy sauce is fine.
Hi, what can I substitute Mirin with? I need something that does not involve alcohol.
Would love to hear from you soon. Thank you!
Hi can I use Japanese mirin instead of cooking sake?
Yes you can.
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.
Awesome your teriyaki chicken sounds yummy! :)
is japanese mirin the same as japanese cooking wine?
I believe it is the same. If it’s sweet you have the right one.
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
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/
Looks so delicious!!
I just made this and I love it! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Hi Bree thanks for trying my teriyaki chicken recipe.