How to Make Teriyaki Chicken ~ Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Recipe

mirin

🥗Healthier: rice vinegar + sugar

💰Cheaper: white wine + sugar

Rice vinegar + sugar mimics the sweetness and acidity of mirin.

soy sauce

🥗Healthier: low-sodium soy sauce

💰Cheaper: tamari

Low-sodium soy sauce reduces salt intake without sacrificing flavor.

sesame oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil provides a healthier fat option while canola is budget-friendly.

chicken thighs

🥗Healthier: chicken breast

💰Cheaper: chicken drumsticks

Chicken breast is leaner, while drumsticks are often more affordable.

In a bowl, combine equal parts of soy sauce and water.

Add 1 clove of minced garlic and about 1 teaspoon of grated ginger to the bowl.

Add brown sugar and honey to the mixture, adjusting sweetness as desired.

Incorporate rice vinegar and mirin into the sauce mixture.

Add a dash of sesame oil and stir to combine everything well.

Set the sauce aside.

In a skillet on medium-high heat, coat the bottom with oil.

Add 1.5 pounds of bite-sized chicken thighs to the skillet and brown for a minute or two on each side.

Remove the chicken from the skillet, leaving the juices behind.

Slowly add the Teriyaki sauce to the skillet, stirring to deglaze and pick up the bits from the bottom.

Turn up the heat slightly and bring the sauce to a simmer, cooking for about 4-5 minutes while stirring frequently.

After 4 minutes, add the chicken and all the juices back into the pan, stirring to coat the chicken with the sauce.

Bring to a simmer on medium heat and cook for about 5-8 more minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce reduces and thickens.

If needed, add a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce, adding a small amount at a time until desired thickness is reached.

Remove from heat once the sauce has thickened.

In another pan, sauté fresh veggies including onions, multicolored bell peppers, mushrooms, and snow peas in oil, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper.

Toss the veggies for about 5 minutes until they start to soften but remain a little crispy.

Serve the Teriyaki chicken topped with the sauce and sesame seeds, alongside rice and sautéed veggies.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens