If you’re craving a lightning-fast, flavor-packed dinner, Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken is the answer! Tender chicken bites get coated in a glossy, homemade teriyaki sauce that balances salty, sweet, and tangy notes in every forkful. You’ll love how this recipe transforms pantry staples into something far more delicious than takeout, and it all comes together in under half an hour. Perfect for weeknights or impressing guests on short notice, Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken is a dish you’ll want to keep on repeat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of staple ingredients, you can whip up Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken in no time. Each one plays a crucial role—adding flavor, texture, or that classic teriyaki shine and color. Let’s break it down so you know exactly what each brings to your plate.
- Chicken thighs or breasts: Bite-sized pieces of juicy chicken soak up the sauce and stay tender during cooking.
- Vegetable oil: A neutral oil perfect for browning and keeping the chicken moist as it cooks.
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Gives the essential savory, umami flavor without overwhelming saltiness.
- Water: Helps blend and mellow out the sauce, making it glossy and smooth.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and that beautiful sticky shine you expect in great teriyaki.
- Brown sugar: Deepens the caramel notes and boosts the flavor complexity of the sauce.
- Rice vinegar: Brightens the glaze with a hint of tang, balancing the sweet and salty elements.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to that signature, silky consistency.
- Cold water: Mixes with the cornstarch for a lump-free thickener.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic infuses the sauce with bold aromatic depth.
- Ginger: Fresh or ground ginger wakes up every bite, adding warmth and zing.
- Sesame seeds and green onions: The classic garnishes for a burst of color and texture at the finish.
How to Make Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken
Step 1: Whisk Together the Sauce
Grab a small bowl and combine your soy sauce, water, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Whisk until everything is blended and that honey is dissolved. This step ensures all the flavors marry together, laying the foundation for that signature teriyaki taste. Don’t skip this — a well-mixed sauce means every piece of chicken gets coated in pure deliciousness.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Next, heat your vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in your bite-sized chicken pieces and let them cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring now and then, until they’re golden and cooked through. This gives the chicken a slightly crispy edge while locking in all those juices—don’t crowd the pan for the best browning!
Step 3: Simmer with Teriyaki Sauce
Once your chicken is cooked, pour in your freshly mixed teriyaki sauce. Bring it up to a simmer, letting the chicken soak up that gorgeous blend. You’ll notice the sauce start to bubble and the aroma will fill your kitchen—it’s a sign you’re on the right track! Let it simmer gently while you prep the thickener.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce
In a separate small bowl, stir together your cornstarch and cold water until smooth. This slurry is the key to that irresistible sticky, glossy teriyaki coating. Pour the slurry into the skillet and keep everything moving—after just a few minutes, you’ll see the sauce transform and cling lovingly to every piece of chicken.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Take your skillet off the heat and finish the dish with a shower of sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve your Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken hot, piling it over fluffy rice or delicate steamed veggies, and get ready for compliments!
How to Serve Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken
Garnishes
A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and a handful of bright green onions do more than just look pretty—they add subtle flavor and the perfect pop of color. If you want to go the extra mile, a few curls of carrot or pickled ginger can add a little wow factor to your Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken, making the dish look as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
While this teriyaki chicken recipe shines on its own, it really sings when paired with the right sides! Fluffy white or brown rice soaks up all that amazing sauce, but you could also serve it over quinoa or cauliflower rice for something different. Lightly steamed broccoli, snap peas, or even a classic Asian slaw complete the meal and add some crunch and freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken into an eye-catching grain bowl or use it as a filling for lettuce wraps for a lighter twist. For a fun, communal meal, set out a “build your own teriyaki bowl” bar with various toppings like edamame, sliced avocado, chili flakes, or pineapple chunks—everyone gets to make their perfect bowl!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to three days. Store it in an airtight container, and the flavors will continue to meld, making it even tastier the next day. Remember to refrigerate once it cools to room temperature to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze your Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken! Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, making sure to squeeze out as much air as possible. When you’re ready for an easy future meal, thaw in the fridge overnight—it’s a lifesaver for busy weeks.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm your chicken in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce needs loosening. The microwave works too, but stir halfway through for even heating. Just be careful not to overcook so your chicken stays tender and juicy!
FAQs
Can I make Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken with chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes! Both chicken breasts and thighs work well in this recipe. Thighs are usually a bit juicier, but breasts will turn out delicious—just be careful not to overcook them so they don’t dry out.
Is homemade teriyaki sauce better than store-bought?
Making your own sauce is incredibly satisfying and lets you control the sweetness, saltiness, and flavor balance. However, for an even faster version of Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken, feel free to use a good-quality store-bought teriyaki sauce on busy nights.
What can I substitute for honey in the sauce?
If you’re out of honey, pure maple syrup or even agave work great! You could also use a bit more brown sugar, but honey really adds that special shine and sticky texture to classic teriyaki sauce.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just swap the soy sauce for tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce. Every other ingredient in Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken is gluten-free by nature.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options?
This recipe is incredibly flexible. Try replacing the chicken with cubed, pressed tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian spin, or even quick-cooking shrimp for a pescatarian option. The sauce works beautifully with all kinds of proteins!
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited to try Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken as I am to share it. With its perfect balance of sweet and savory and that irresistible homemade sauce, it’s a recipe guaranteed to brighten any dinnertime. Gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and soon you’ll have a dish that tastes like a special treat—without any stress or fuss. Enjoy every bite!
Print
Quick & Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This quick and easy teriyaki chicken recipe is a flavorful dish that can be whipped up in no time. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a sweet and savory homemade teriyaki sauce, perfect for a delicious weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Teriyaki Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
Garnish:
- Sesame seeds and sliced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare Teriyaki Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
- Cook Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Add Sauce: Pour the teriyaki sauce over the chicken and bring to a simmer.
- Thicken Sauce: Mix cornstarch and water until smooth, then stir into the skillet. Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve over rice or vegetables.
Notes
- You can double the sauce for extra flavor.
- For a quicker option, use store-bought teriyaki sauce.
- This recipe is versatile and can be made with tofu or shrimp as well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
