Easy Teriyaki Chicken
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Teriyaki Chicken is a super easy 15 minute chicken recipe with a 5-ingredient teriyaki sauce made using pantry staples!
This recipe doesn’t require marinating and is perfect for our busy lives. It’s loaded with sticky, savory and slightly sweet chicken teriyaki that your whole family will love! With only 260 calories per serving, it is also healthier than your favorite take-out.
TERIYAKI CHICKEN RECIPE
Who doesn’t love easy teriyaki chicken! It’s a sumptuous Japanese chicken recipe where stir-fried skinless chicken thighs are glazed with a sticky teriyaki sauce. I love Panda Express’ grilled teriyaki chicken, but now you can easily make it at home!
This recipe is a variation on traditional Japanese teriyaki chicken by using ingredients accessible in America. The same method can be used to make Teriyaki Shrimp and Teriyaki Salmon.
CHICKEN TERIYAKI SAUCE
The best part of this recipe is the SAUCE! It is a variation of my Homemade Teriyaki Sauce recipe and requires only 5 simple ingredients. When simmered with stir-fried chicken, it becomes sticky and bubbly. So much better than any store-bought sauce!
Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients:
- Soy Sauce
- Honey (or sugar)
- Vinegar
- Garlic
- Cornstarch
You can also add ginger to the sauce for extra flavor. If you have mirin and sake, you can definitely use them to replace the vinegar and have a more authentic Teriyaki. I like to make extra sauce and drizzle it over my Rice and Steamed Broccoli!
HOW TO MAKE TERIYAKI CHICKEN
- Stir-fry cubed chicken in a skillet with oil for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Add teriyaki sauce. Simmer until the sauce thickens. Stir constantly to avoid getting clumps.
- Coat your chicken with the sauce thoroughly. And that’s it!
Note: I recommend using a large 14-inch skillet so that you won’t overcrowd the chicken. If your pan is not large enough, you can cook in two batches.
TIPS FOR THE BEST TERIYAKI CHICKEN STIR FRY
- Chicken breasts or chicken thighs? You can use either thighs or breasts for this recipe, but chicken thighs are moister and less likely to dry out.
- Can I make it in a slow cooker? Yes! Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken is easy to make and takes less than 10 minutes to prepare. Add all teriyaki chicken ingredients in your crockpot and cook on high for 2-4 hours.
- Can I make it in the oven? Yes! Baked teriyaki chicken uses the same ingredients. You can marinate your chicken first and then bake it in the oven. Here is a guide on How Long to Bake Chicken.
- What to serve with teriyaki chicken? I usually serve it over rice with broccoli in a bowl for the teriyaki chicken bowl. You can also serve it over noodles or sandwich. For a healthier option consider serving with cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps.
EASY TERIYAKI CHICKEN RECIPE: WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Teriyaki Chicken
15 minutes to make. Serve with rice and broccoli for a perfect meal!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb chicken thighs (boneless, skinless), or chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey,
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons vinegar, apple cider or rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder, optional
Optional serving ideas
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1/2 green onion, minced
- steamed rice
- broccoli
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar and cornstarch and optional ginger powder.
- Add oil to a large skillet on medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add cubed chicken.
- Fry 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned. If not browning, increase heat and continue for another minute.
- Add sauce mixture to chicken and stir continuously until it thickens to coat the chicken.
- Remove from heat. Serve in bowls with rice and vegetable, and garnish with optional sesame seeds and green onion. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure to cut your chicken into small 1-inch / 2 cm cubes to allow for quicker cooking and easy browning.
- Start with medium heat to sauté your chicken, making sure not to overcrowd your pan. You may need to do it in two batches if your pan is not big enough.
- Add sauce immediately as soon as your chicken turns brown. Avoid over-cooking your chicken. Turn the heat up after you add in the sauce so that it thickens fast.
Please read our nutrition disclaimer.
MORE TERIYAKI RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
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I have lost count of how many times I’ve made this recipe! We don’t change a thing, and it’s perfect every single time. I’ve sent this recipe to so many friends and they love it as well. I can’t wait to make this for many years to come!
Hi Jaci, So happy to hear that and we greatly appreciate your enthusiasm and support! Thanks and congrats.
This chicken is quick and easy to make, my two picky kids love it so much I make it often for them and keep it for leftovers throughout the week when my husband and I make meals we like!
Hi Allyson, Wonderful to hear that and thanks for your comment!
I really liked this
This was good, but way too salty, will use low sodium soy sauce next time.
Hi Lisa, Thanks for your comment and low-sodium makes all the difference. I find Kikkoman and San-J have the best flavor.
I love this recipe. Sometimes instead of putting it in a rice bowl I put rice, broccoli and chicken teriyaki in large wraps!
Hi Diane, Great to hear and I couldn’t agree more. In fact, we have a recipe just for teriyaki wraps: https://tipbuzz.com/teriyaki-chicken-cones/
How can this be Teriyaki chicken when there is no teriyaki sauce?
Hi Joan, The teriyaki sauce is homemade and forms a glaze on the chicken!
A delicious meal and QUICK to make!! This is a favorite in our house!
This recipe is a game changer for our house. Quick, easy, and delicious. Everyone loves it. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Chris, Great to hear that and thanks so much for your comment!
Very easy to make and so delicious!
Hi Pamela, Awesome to hear and thanks for your review!
Absolutely delicious 😋 – just used 1/2 the ginger called for. Put it over rice with stir fry vegetables.
Hi Barbara, Great to hear that and thanks for your comment!!
My husband and I loved this recipe! It’s gonna be a staple in our house for sure thank you for this recipe!
Hi Estrella, Great to hear that and thanks for your comment!
Quick and easy. Very tasty
Hi Jeannie, Awesome to hear that and thanks so much for your feedback!
DELICIOUS!!! I made a double batch for my family of seven and there was only enough leftovers for one lunch. My husband and kids ate seconds and no one complained. That’s a win in my book.
Hi Steph, Thanks so much for your comment and glad it was a hit! I like to double the recipe too…
Just made this for dinner. Very tasty! We grated fresh ginger and that added a bright flavor. I’ll definitely make this again!
Hi Kate, Great to hear and thanks for your feedback.
Does lemon work instead of cider vinegar? I am not able to use white wine as a substitute.
Hi Artemis, Thanks for your question. Lemon and soy sauce flavors don’t mix very well. How about white vinegar?
Way too sweet. Maybe a teaspoon of honey. Not what the recipe calls for.
Hi Bob, Thanks for your review and feedback! Sweetness is a personal preference, but will take a look at the recipe and add some notes. 🙂
Can’t wait to try this!!!
Does it still taste good on the second day???
Great point – the flavors improve the second day! 🙂
How many cups per serving?
I know it says six serving are 200+ calories I just like to food prep while I diet and wanted to know exact measurements.
I love the sauce, next time though I would mix in the rice and broccoli when adding the sauce.
Thanks Liz. Great to hear that you like the sauce.
We really liked this recipe, I didn’t have the sesame seeds and no big deal. Second time I made it I increased the cornstarch a little and doubled the sauce. We like lots of sauce.
Thanks for your review and glad you enjoyed it!! Extra sauce is a good thing… 🙂
Hi, making this what can I use instead of cornstarch?
Hi Pat, You can use flour instead of cornstarch. Whisk it with a similar amount of water to get rid of lumps. 🙂
This dish was a hit with my family we added some red pepper flakes on top tysm!
Thanks Crystal – glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Looks so yummy! can i use sugar instead, I’m allergic to honey
i didn’t know a honey allergy even existed. man i’m sorry, that’s gotta be rough. that’s kind of like wheat, honey is in just about everything. i wouldn’t see a problem with using sugar, may want to use brown just to give it a little bump from the molasses. or you could use agave syrup
Maple syrup is a great substitute for honey. I have the same allergy
Fast easy and delicious fast easy and delicious