Easy Classic Chicken Teriyaki Recipe: Tender & Flavorful Delight

Chicken teriyaki tantalizes taste buds with its irresistible blend of sweet and savory flavors that dance across your palate.

Originating from Japanese culinary traditions, this beloved dish converts ordinary protein into a mouthwatering masterpiece through a delicate marinade technique.

Traditional preparation involves coating tender meat in a glossy, caramelized sauce that balances umami depth with subtle sweetness.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious flavor profile that elevates simple proteins into a gourmet experience.

Authentic recipes rely on carefully selected seasonings that infuse the chicken with rich, complex notes that complement its natural tenderness.

Home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant-quality dish by mastering a few essential techniques that unlock incredible taste.

The magic happens when carefully selected ingredients merge, creating a symphony of flavors that will transport you to the heart of Japanese cuisine.

Tips for Sweet, Sticky Classic Chicken Teriyaki

• Dry the Chicken: Use paper towels to thoroughly pat chicken breasts, ensuring they're completely dry for optimal browning and crispy exterior.
• Control the Heat: Maintain medium-high heat to achieve perfect golden-brown chicken without burning or undercooking.
• Layer Wisely: Avoid overcrowding the pan by cooking chicken in a single layer, which allows even caramelization and prevents steaming.
• Whisk Cornstarch Carefully: Blend cornstarch mixture smoothly to prevent lumps and ensure a silky, glossy teriyaki sauce.
• Rest Before Serving: Let chicken rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to lock in juices and maintain tender, succulent texture.

Save Classic Chicken Teriyaki for Later Without Drying

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the chicken and sauce separate to maintain the best texture and prevent sogginess. Gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to keep the chicken moist. Alternatively, warm in the microwave using short 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Consume reheated chicken within 2 days for optimal flavor and safety.

What Complements Classic Chicken Teriyaki Best

• Enhance Flavor with Rice Pairing: Serve this classic chicken teriyaki over steamed jasmine or short-grain Japanese rice to soak up the delicious teriyaki sauce and provide a perfect textural complement.
• Complementary Drink Selection: Pair the dish with a crisp Japanese beer like Asahi or Sapporo, which cuts through the sweetness of the sauce and refreshes the palate with its light, hoppy profile.
• Veggie Harmony: Roasted broccoli adds a perfect green crunch, while quick-pickled cucumber slices bring a tangy contrast that balances the rich, sweet teriyaki chicken.
• Garnish Magic: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions to add nutty depth and a fresh, sharp note that elevates the entire dish's complexity.

Classic Chicken Teriyaki with a Twist

• Spicy Teriyaki Kick: Add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a fiery flavor profile that elevates the classic chicken dish.
• Ginger Garlic Boost: Mince fresh ginger and garlic, sauté them with the chicken for deeper, more aromatic notes that complement the teriyaki sauce.
• Pineapple Tropical Fusion: Incorporate chunks of fresh pineapple during the final simmering stage, adding a sweet and tangy dimension to the traditional recipe that brightens the overall taste.
• Veggie Power Upgrade: Replace half the chicken with bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms for a colorful, nutritious version that maintains the core teriyaki essence while increasing vegetable intake.

What Makes Classic Chicken Teriyaki a Weeknight Hero

• Savor Quick Flavor Fusion: This chicken teriyaki delivers restaurant-quality taste in under 30 minutes, allowing home cooks to enjoy authentic Japanese-inspired cuisine without complex techniques.
• Celebrate Versatile Cooking Method: Using a simple pan-searing technique creates beautifully caramelized chicken with a glossy, rich teriyaki sauce that clings perfectly to each tender piece.
• Elevate Weeknight Meal Experience: The recipe transforms basic ingredients into an exciting dinner with minimal prep, offering a balanced meal featuring protein, glaze, and optional vegetable sides like broccoli and garnishes that add nutrition and visual appeal.

What Goes Into Classic Chicken Teriyaki

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that absorbs flavors well, best when fresh and trimmed of excess fat.

• Mirin, Sake, Soy Sauce, Water, Brown Sugar: Classic Japanese teriyaki flavor combination that creates a sweet and savory glaze.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce and create a glossy, smooth texture.
• Salt: Enhances the chicken's natural flavor and helps with seasoning.

• Scallions: Fresh, mild onion flavor that adds brightness and color to the dish.
• Sesame Seeds: Nutty, toasted accent that provides a subtle crunch and authentic Asian touch.
• Rice: Classic accompaniment that soaks up the teriyaki sauce.
• Broccoli: Nutritious green vegetable that complements the chicken and adds balance to the meal.

• Neutral Oil: Creates even browning and prevents sticking during chicken cooking.

How to Cook Classic Chicken Teriyaki with Style

Step 1: Prepare the Cooking Tools

Gather a large frying pan, measuring spoons, cutting board, and sharp knife.

Get your ingredients ready on the countertop.

Step 2: Prep the Chicken

Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels.

Season chicken generously with salt on both sides.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Pour oil into the pan.

Heat pan over medium-high heat until oil is shimmering.

Carefully place chicken in a single layer.

Cook for 4-6 minutes until golden brown.

Step 4: Create Teriyaki Sauce

• Mirin
• Sake
• Soy sauce
• Water
• Brown sugar

Mix ingredients thoroughly.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

Take of sauce and blend with cornstarch.

Flip chicken in the pan.

Pour remaining sauce over chicken.

Simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Step 6: Finish the Dish

Whisk cornstarch mixture into the pan.

Cook until sauce thickens and coats chicken.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Slice chicken into attractive pieces.

• Steamed rice
• Broccoli
• Chopped scallions
• Sprinkle of sesame seeds

Drizzle extra sauce over the top.

Classic Chicken Teriyaki Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Japanese Classic Chicken Teriyaki delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with tender chicken glazed in a rich, caramelized sauce. Marinated in a blend of soy sauce, mirin, and sake, this traditional dish promises a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Liquid Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup mirin
• ⅓ cup sake
• ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari
• ¼ cup water

Seasoning and Thickening Agents:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Garnish and Serving (Optional):

• 1 medium scallion, thinly sliced
• White sesame seeds
• Steamed white rice
• Cooked broccoli

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large frying pan by heating of cooking oil over medium-high heat until the surface shimmers with warmth.
2. Thoroughly pat the chicken pieces dry using paper towels and generously season with kosher salt to enhance flavor and promote even browning.
3. Carefully arrange chicken in a single, uncrowded layer within the hot pan, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown exterior for approximately 4-6 minutes.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, create the teriyaki sauce by combining mirin, sake, soy sauce, water, and brown sugar, whisking until the sugar dissolves completely.
5. Gently remove of the prepared sauce and blend with cornstarch to create a smooth, lump-free thickening agent.
6. Flip the chicken pieces to ensure even cooking, then pour the remaining sauce around the meat and allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes, creating a rich, glossy coating.
7. Reincorporate the cornstarch mixture into the pan, stirring continuously until the sauce reaches a luxurious, slightly thickened consistency.
8. Remove the chicken from heat and slice into appealing portions, then artfully arrange on a serving plate.
9. Garnish with finely chopped scallions, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, and serve alongside steamed white rice and tender broccoli florets.

Notes

• Achieve perfectly browned chicken by patting it dry and ensuring the pan is hot before adding the meat.
• Create a rich, balanced teriyaki sauce by combining sweet mirin, tangy sake, salty soy sauce, and caramelizing brown sugar.
• Thicken the sauce strategically using cornstarch mixed with a small amount of liquid to prevent lumps and create a glossy finish.
• Let the chicken simmer in the sauce to absorb maximum flavor and ensure tender, juicy results.
• Elevate the dish with fresh garnishes like sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.
• Serve over steamed rice with roasted broccoli to transform this simple chicken recipe into a complete, satisfying meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 340 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg