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Home » Recipes

Super Easy Japanese Teriyaki Chicken!

Nov 8, 2021Last Modified: February 7, 2023

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. Here you will learn how to make Super Easy Japanese Teriyaki Chicken!

Teriyaki Chicken served with rice and garnished with green onions in a white bowl with chopsticks on top.
Jump to:
  • Unbelievably Easy and Delicious Chicken Teriyaki!
  • What Is Teriyaki?
  • The Ingredients You Will Need To Make This Easy and Delicious Dish!
  • The Method To Make Super Easy Japanese Teriyaki Chicken!
  • What To Serve With Japanese Teriyaki Chicken
  • A Huge Thank You To Makoto of Kyushu Island Cooking!
  • Some Other Dishes You May Enjoy!
  • Super Easy Japanese Teriyaki Chicken!

Unbelievably Easy and Delicious Chicken Teriyaki!

If you love Japanese food or easy and delicious food, then you NEED to make this recipe. This Chicken Teriyaki is:

  • No fuss and such an easy recipe!
  • Quick to make (takes about 15 minutes)
  • Requires only 6 ingredients
  • MOUTHWATERINGLY DELICIOUS and bursting with salty, sweet, and umami flavors!

What Is Teriyaki?

"Teriyaki" comes from two words in the Japanese. "Teri" which means "shine" and "yaki" which means "grill".

In Japan, teriyaki actually refers to the method or technique of grilling or broiling food with a glaze consisting of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. The "teri" or "shine" comes from the sugar. Here is an article from Wikipedia about Teriyaki, which also discusses teriyaki sauce as well as some variations.

Here, I will show you how to make a "shine grill" chicken, which is one of the most beloved foods of the world!

Teriyaki Chicken served with rice and garnished with green onions in a white bowl with chopsticks on top.

The Ingredients You Will Need To Make This Easy and Delicious Dish!

You will only need the following 6 ingredients to make the most delicious Japanese Teriyaki Chicken ever!

Chicken thighs in a white bowl, Aji-Mirin bottle, bottle of soy sauce, olive oil bottle, sugar in a glass container, pepper in a small dish, green onions in a white dish, Ichimi Togarashi.
  • Boneless chicken thighs (skin on if you can find them)
  • Soy sauce
  • Sugar (can sub brown sugar)
  • Mirin (Japanese cooking rice wine)
  • Olive oil
  • Black pepper

In addition to these ingredients, I highly recommend the following garnishes:

  • Green onions
  • Nanami Togarashi (Japanese assorted Chili Pepper) or Ichimi Togarashi (Japanese Chili Pepper) for a little spice!
  • Sesame seeds are also a nice touch!
Nanami Togarashi

Ok, now let's make some divine Chicken Teriyaki!

The Method To Make Super Easy Japanese Teriyaki Chicken!

The method I will share with you involves pan frying. We will begin by combining the 3 sauce ingredients: sugar, soy sauce, and mirin.

Chicken thighs with black pepper in a white bowl, teriyaki sauce in a white bowl, Aji-Mirin bottle, bottle of soy sauce, and a container of sugar.

Next season your chicken thighs with some black pepper, and then pan fry in olive oil until both sides are browned.

Chicken thighs frying in a cast iron skillet seasoned with pepper and starting to brown.

Then the magic happens! Add the sauce and continue to spoon the sauce over the chicken, turning the chicken several times during this process. When the sauce thickens and becomes glossy your masterpiece will be ready!

Teriyaki chicken being cooked in a cast iron skillet with sauce turning glossy and thick spoon holding some of the thick sauce and a utensil in the background.
Beautiful glossy sauce!

What To Serve With Japanese Teriyaki Chicken

Teriyaki Chicken is absolutely terrific served with heaps of white steamed rice or brown rice. I love to add some sliced green onions and Nanami Togarashi or Ichimi Togarashi for a little spice as well. This is not traditional, but it is delicious!

Teriyaki Chicken served with rice and garnished with green onions in a white bowl with chopsticks on top.

This easy and delicious dish is sure to become a family favorite! You may want to plan on making a double batch for your weeknight dinners!

A Huge Thank You To Makoto of Kyushu Island Cooking!

Makoto of Kyushu Island Cooking taught me the technique I present here during an online cooking class I took with her. Please visit her blog, Simple Japanese Food Recipe, for some fantastic Japanese and Asian recipes!

Some Other Dishes You May Enjoy!

Easy To Make Superb Spicy Chicken Bulgogi!

Spicy Chicken Bulgogi garnished with green onions and sesame seeds on a white plate with a pair of chopsticks.
Spicy Chicken Bulgogi

Yurinchi Chicken

Pieces of fried chicken atop iceberg lettuce drizzled with a soy based sauce and topped with sliced green onions on a white plate.

I invite you to come along on this food journey with me! Please sign up to get the latest recipes and inspiration for you to expand your food comfort zone! It's an incredible journey, please join me by signing up here. 😊

Cheers!

Grace

Teriyaki Chicken served with rice and garnished with green onions in a white bowl with chopsticks on top.

Super Easy Japanese Teriyaki Chicken!

Grace
This delicious Japanese Teriyaki Chicken is super easy to make and is sure to become a family favorite! Be sure to make extra for seconds!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 2 people
Calories 705 kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless chicken thighs use 6 thighs if they are on the small side; skin on the chicken thighs if you can find this
  • 6 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoon sugar can sub brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoon mirin
  • 4 teaspoon olive oil

Optional Garnishes

  • green onions sliced
  • Nanami Togarashi for a little extra spice!
  • sesame seeds as you wish!

Instructions
 

  • We will begin by combining the 3 sauce ingredients sugar, soy sauce, and mirin in a small bowl. Mix well.
    Chicken thighs with black pepper in a white bowl, teriyaki sauce in a white bowl, Aji-Mirin bottle, bottle of soy sauce, and a container of sugar.
  • Next season your chicken thighs with some black pepper. On a medium heat pan fry the chicken in olive oil until both sides are browned (about 3-4 minutes each side).
    Chicken thighs frying in a cast iron skillet seasoned with pepper and starting to brown.
  • Now add the sauce (but stir well just prior to adding!) and continue to spoon the sauce over the chicken, turning the chicken several times during this process. It's important to keep basting during this time.
    Chicken thighs frying in a cast iron skillet seasoned with pepper and teriyaki sauce which was poured over the chicken
  • Continue this process until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. It is at that point that your chicken is cooked and ready to serve!
    Teriyaki chicken being cooked in a cast iron skillet with sauce turning glossy and thick spoon holding some of the thick sauce and a utensil in the background.

Notes

Teriyaki Chicken is absolutely terrific served with heaps of brown or white steamed rice. I love to add some sliced green onions and Nanami Togarashi or Ichimi Togarashi for a little spice as well. This is not traditional, but it is delicious!

Nutrition

Calories: 705kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 42gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 221mgSodium: 3386mgPotassium: 578mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 176IUCalcium: 29mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Chicken, chicken teriyaki, easy recipe, quick recipe, teriyaki chicken
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About Me

Hi I’m Grace! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions! Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go. My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too. Let’s throw some actual travel in from time to time, all with an emphasis on keeping your wallet full and happy as well. Let’s get cooking and let’s start exploring!! I'm excited to be on this journey with you!!

By the way most of these recipes are Toby taste tested and Toby approved!!

Chief Taste Tester Toby

Toby Chief Taste Tester

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