Description
This Easy Teriyaki Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breast cubes are sautéed and then coated in a homemade, sweet-savory teriyaki sauce made from soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. Ready in just 15 minutes, it makes a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal that pairs wonderfully with rice or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey (or more brown sugar)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup cold water
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the cubed chicken breasts evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Sauté the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is almost fully cooked through.
- Prepare the teriyaki sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine the water, low-sodium soy sauce, light brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk frequently and heat until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute.
- Thicken the sauce: In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Add this mixture to the simmering sauce and continue whisking over medium heat until the sauce thickens, about 5-6 minutes.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Pour the thickened teriyaki sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Cook together for an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has reduced slightly, coating the chicken beautifully.
- Serve: Transfer the teriyaki chicken to plates, drizzle with any remaining sauce from the skillet, and enjoy immediately with your choice of sides.
Notes
- Substitute honey with additional brown sugar if a vegan or honey-free option is preferred.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the sauce during cooking.
- Serve with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Adjust salt to taste, especially if using regular soy sauce rather than low-sodium.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
