Chicken teriyaki is a beloved Japanese dish, loved for its sweet and savory taste. The main chicken teriyaki recipe ingredients are chicken, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. They mix to create a delicious sauce. This sauce coats the chicken, making it glossy and tasty.
Chicken teriyaki is often grilled or broiled. This involves marinating or basting the chicken. It helps deepen and add complexity to its flavor.
Key Takeaways
- Chicken teriyaki is made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.
- Total recipe cost: $6.34 per recipe / $1.27 per serving.
- Rated 4.71 out of 5 by 34 voters.
- Recommended marinating time: 30 minutes to 1 day.
- Can be stored for up to 3 days in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer.
- You can prepare this dish in a total of 11 minutes with 5 minutes of prep time.
- Contains 274 calories, 8g of carbohydrates, 32g of protein, and 12g of fat per serving.
Introduction to Chicken Teriyaki
Chicken teriyaki is known for its shiny look and delicious taste. It comes from a special teriyaki sauce. This sauce is a mix of soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. It is a famous dish in Japan and has fans all over the world. In places like the United States and Sydney, it’s very popular.
This chicken teriyaki dish often uses chicken thigh fillets. They are chosen for their juicy feel. Yet, chicken breasts are also an option. The charm of this dish is its sweet and salty taste. This taste comes from a simple sauce mix. The mix is two parts soy sauce, two parts sake, two parts mirin, and one part sugar. Its simple yet rich flavor is loved by cooks everywhere.
Making chicken teriyaki at home is simple but needs care. It’s important to coat the chicken well with the sauce. You should also avoid using too much oil. This makes sure the flavors mix well. In Japan, people often use boneless, skin-on chicken thighs. But in the U.S., boneless, skinless thighs are more common. Both choices are tasty.
Chicken teriyaki often comes with shredded cabbage and veggies. Some like julienned carrots and capsicum. Another version is Teriyaki Chicken Don. This dish has the chicken over rice with lots of sauce. Chicken teriyaki can be for a fancy meal or a quick dinner. Its great taste and flexibility make it a favorite.
Learning to make chicken teriyaki brings Japan’s flavors to your kitchen. It’s a fun and yummy journey to take!
Main Ingredients for Chicken Teriyaki
Making chicken teriyaki at home needs a few special things. Each ingredient plays a big part in giving the dish its unique taste. Let’s talk about what you need for a tasty chicken teriyaki.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is key for that teriyaki taste. It makes the chicken rich in flavor. This sauce adds a nice color and smell, making the dish special.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is very important too. It sweetens the soy sauce’s saltiness. When it melts, it makes the teriyaki look and taste better.
Garlic and Ginger
Garlic and ginger add great smells and tastes. They make the sauce more exciting. Using these spices makes the chicken teriyaki feel like it’s made at home.
Additional Ingredients for Added Flavor
To make your chicken teriyaki better, add more ingredients. Regular chicken teriyaki uses soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Add sesame seeds, green onions, and sesame oil for better texture and taste.
- Sesame Seeds: Add toasted sesame seeds on top for a nutty flavor and crunch.
- Green Onions: Green onions give color and a fresh taste against the savory chicken.
- Sesame Oil: A bit of sesame oil boosts aroma and depth in the dish.
Here’s what you need for these extra touches:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sesame Seeds | 1 tablespoon (optional for garnish) |
| Green Onions | 2 stalks, chopped |
| Sesame Oil | 1 teaspoon |
| Grated Ginger | 1 teaspoon (additional to sauce) |
| Garlic Cloves | 2 cloves, minced (additional to sauce) |
By adding these ingredients, your chicken teriyaki will taste and look better. It will have a deep, rich flavor that feels truly Japanese. Your chicken teriyaki will surely stand out.
Types of Chicken Used in Teriyaki
Choosing the right chicken is key for tasty teriyaki. The chicken must soak up the marinade and stay moist. This makes the dish flavorful and juicy.
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are great for teriyaki. They have more fat, which means more flavor and juiciness. A serving has about 258 calories and gives you 33 grams of protein.
These thighs soak up the teriyaki sauce well. So, every bite is very tasty.
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a leaner option. They have fewer fats and calories. This choice is perfect for those watching their health but still wanting a delicious meal.
Chicken breasts are less juicy but soak up the marinade beautifully. They offer a tender and flavorful meal.
| Type of Chicken | Calories | Protein | Fat | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Thigh Teriyaki | 258 | 33g | 13g | 698mg |
| Chicken Breast Teriyaki | 210 | 30g | 6g | 680mg |
What is Chicken Teriyaki Made Of?
Chicken teriyaki is a dish loved around the world. It includes tender chicken, either thighs or breasts. These are marinated in tasty teriyaki sauce. This sauce is what makes the dish so popular.
The sauce is key to what’s in chicken teriyaki. It blends soy sauce, brown sugar (or honey), and water. Then adds rice vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, salt, pepper, and ginger. This mix gives the chicken a rich, sweet, and savory flavor.
There are different ways to cook chicken teriyaki. You can either cube the chicken before cooking or slice it afterward. It is usually grilled or broiled. Cook until it reaches 165 degrees F, about 4-6 minutes on each side.
Serve it over rice with green onions and sesame seeds on top. This makes a complete, tasty meal.
There’s a difference between Western and Japanese chicken teriyaki. The Western version is bolder. The Japanese version is more subtle and often doesn’t use marinade.
Chicken teriyaki is quick for weeknights. It takes about 30 minutes to cook. This makes it perfect for busy families.
Making your own teriyaki sauce can be really simple. Use ingredients like soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch. Homemade sauce tastes better than bottled.
Chicken teriyaki is also pretty healthy. A serving has about 284 calories. Leftovers stay good in the fridge for up to four days. This makes it easy to enjoy later.
Learning ‘what’s in chicken teriyaki’ shows the beauty of this dish. It’s great for a quick dinner or a meal with loved ones.
Steps to Make Chicken Teriyaki at Home
One of the best ways to cook chicken teriyaki is to care about the marinade. Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They are juicy and cook quickly.
Marinating the Chicken
Begin by marinating your chicken in soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. This mix gives the chicken a rich, umami taste and a nice sweetness.
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- Optional: 2 tablespoons mirin or rice vinegar for an extra layer of flavor
Mix everything, then pour it over the chicken. Let it marinate for 30 minutes to an hour. For better taste, leave it overnight.
Cooking the Chicken
After marinating, it’s time to cook the chicken. You may choose to pan-sear it:
- Heat a skillet on medium-high and add some oil.
- Cook the chicken until it’s nicely caramelized, about 5-7 minutes per side.
Grilling the chicken adds a smoky taste. When cooking, brush on more marinade. This keeps the chicken moist and flavorful.
Let the chicken rest after cooking for a few minutes. This makes sure it stays juicy and tasty.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Teriyaki
When planning what to serve with chicken teriyaki, think about taste and health. It goes well with many sides for a full, healthy meal. Here are suggestions on what to serve with chicken teriyaki:
Don’t overlook chicken teriyaki with steamed white rice. Jasmine or sushi rice makes the teriyaki sauce stand out.
Fried rice is a fast, easy side. Try Cauliflower Fried Rice for a tasty, low-carb choice.
Butter Rice is a great match with its buttery taste. It makes the teriyaki chicken even better.
Pineapple Fried Rice mixes sweet pineapple and spices. It’s a fun, tropical dish against the teriyaki chicken.
Zucchini Fried Rice is a light option. It mixes zucchini, rice, and veggies for those wanting a healthier side.
Chow Mein or lo mein is great for noodle fans. It’s easy to make and can be changed up with your favorite veggies.
| Side Dish | Description | Preparation Time |
|---|---|---|
| Steamed White Rice | Classic and fragrant, pairs perfectly with teriyaki sauce. | 15 minutes |
| Butter Rice | Rich and buttery, enhances the savory notes of chicken teriyaki. | 20 minutes |
| Pineapple Fried Rice | Tropical twist with pineapple, veggies, and spices. | 10 minutes |
| Cauliflower Fried Rice | Lower-carb and healthier alternative to traditional fried rice. | 10 minutes |
Try Teriyaki Glazed Mushrooms. Sauté mixed mushrooms in teriyaki sauce for a unique side.
Sesame Noodle Salad is full of Asian flavors. It goes well with teriyaki chicken.
Fresh Spring Rolls are a light, refreshing choice. They’re healthy and go well with the chicken.
These serving ideas can make every meal with chicken teriyaki exciting. With these sides, you get a balanced diet full of flavor.
Homemade Chicken Teriyaki Sauce Recipe
Make your meals exciting with this simple teriyaki sauce. This homemade teriyaki sauce is bold and useful. It’s great for marinating or as a tasty glaze.
This homemade teriyaki sauce makes about 1 1/2 cups. It’s easy to tweak to your liking. You’ll need:
- 1 cup of water
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
To make the sauce thicker, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water. Follow these steps to make your chicken teriyaki sauce recipe:
- Mix water, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, garlic, and ginger in a saucepan.
- Heat and stir until the sugar dissolves, then simmer.
- Add the cornstarch mix. Stir until it’s as thick as you like.
- Take it off the heat. Let it cool before using to marinate or as sauce.
Making this easy teriyaki sauce takes just a few minutes. It’s perfect for any dish.
| Nutritional Information | Per 1/4 Cup |
|---|---|
| Calories | 72 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 18g (6% DV) |
| Protein | 1g (2% DV) |
| Sodium | 442mg (19% DV) |
| Sugar | 4g (4% DV) |
Keep your homemade teriyaki sauce in the fridge in a sealed container. It stays good for up to 2 weeks. If it gets too thick, just add water when reheating.
Conclusion
Making chicken teriyaki at home is a fun adventure. It also has many benefits. You can make it just how you like it, using fresh ingredients. This not only makes your dish taste better but it’s healthier too. You don’t have to worry about preservatives.
Cooking this dish is rewarding from start to finish. Picking the best chicken thighs is the first step. Then, you make a tasty teriyaki sauce with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. This sauce gives the chicken amazing flavors and a sweet hint. Plus, making your sauce means you get good nutrients without extra fat.
According to USDA data, teriyaki sauce has only 14 calories per tablespoon. Your homemade version is full of protein and iron. It helps your blood flow better and fights inflammation. So, your chicken teriyaki is not just tasty, it’s also good for you. You can keep it in the fridge for up to two days, making your weeknights easier.