From skillet to slow cooker: discover every way to enjoy this Japanese-American favorite.

🇯🇵 What Is Chicken Teriyaki?

Chicken Teriyaki is a Japanese-inspired dish that’s become a staple in American kitchens. It features tender chicken glazed in a sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce, sugar, mirin, and ginger. Whether you're baking it, grilling it, or tossing it in a stir-fry, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

🛒 Ingredients for Chicken Teriyaki (Basic Version)

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp mirin (or 1 tbsp rice vinegar + 1 tsp sugar)
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil or neutral oil

Optional: 1 tbsp honey for a richer glaze
Garnish: sesame seeds and chopped green onions

Authentic step-by-step teriyaki chicken recipe from Cookpad Japan home cook:

Delicious Teriyaki Chicken Recipe by まお❤️
Thank you for over 2,000 recipe reviews! This teriyaki chicken is easy to make, uses simple, easy-to-remember seasonings, and is often called a must-try recipe. It works great as a main dish, in sandwiches, on pizza, over rice bowls, or in lunchboxes.
Cookpadまお❤️

👩‍🍳 How to Make Chicken Teriyaki

  1. Mix the Sauce. Combine soy sauce, mirin, sugar, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
  2. Cook the Chicken. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Sear chicken on both sides until browned.
  3. Add the Sauce
    Pour the sauce over the chicken. Simmer until it thickens and coats the meat.
  4. Slice and Serve
    Let it rest, slice into strips, drizzle sauce, and garnish.
Chicken Teriyaki Home Recipes
Huge variety of great homemade chicken teriyaki recipes including teriyaki chicken bowl, chicken teriyaki stir fry, teriyaki chicken marinade
Cookpad

🍱 Serving Ideas & Popular Variations

Chicken Teriyaki is incredibly versatile. Here are different ways to enjoy it:

Teriyaki Chicken Bowl with rice and steamed veggies

Explore Unique Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Recipes You’ll Love
Uncover a variety of teriyaki chicken bowls, from classic to creative twists. Perfect for a quick, flavorful meal with a touch of Japan!
Cookpad

Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry with bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas

Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry Home Recipes
Huge variety of great chicken teriyaki stir fry recipes published by home cooks like you!
Cookpad

Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich in a bun with lettuce and slaw

Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich Recipe by とももん1028
[2012.4.16] Featured Recipe ♡ A hearty sandwich filled with juicy chicken thighs and eggs. The story behind this recipe: I wanted a light breakfast sandwich, but when I opened the fridge, I found chicken thighs. So, I decided to make a more filling sandwich.
Cookpadとももん1028

Teriyaki Chicken and Broccoli for a low-carb option

Chicken Teriyaki チキン照り焼き Recipe by John Raphael
Simple ingredients and simple cooking method for quick dinner
CookpadJohn Raphael

🔁 Try These Flavor Twists for Teriyaki Chicken

Honey Teriyaki Chicken – just add honey to your marinade

Teriyaki Chicken With Grated Daikon Sauce Recipe by ☆nao703☆
The grated daikon sauce makes it light and refreshing, not heavy at all. The origin of this recipe: I wanted to enjoy teriyaki chicken in a lighter way.
Cookpad☆nao703☆

Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken – stir in pineapple chunks and juice

Panko Crusted Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Breasts Recipe by Chris Gan
I really like recipes like this because everyone can customize the dish to their tastes when it’s served. The chicken cooks up wonderfully moist. The homemade teriyaki sauce can be drizzled over the chicken, used for dipping, or omitted altogether. The addition of pineapple can be similarly customiz…
CookpadChris Gan

Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken – sweetened with brown sugar and grilled

Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken Recipe by Mums
This is the easiest and tastiest marinade I’ve ever made! Plus so affordable!
CookpadMums

Quick Teriyaki Chicken – ready in 15 minutes with pre-cooked chicken

Super Fast Chicken Thigh And Five Spice Teriyaki Recipe by cookpad.japan
Five spice powder doesn’t get much use, so I thought I would add it to regular teriyaki. It turned out delicious. You can use just the chicken thighs, but I like to add sauteed vegetables too. This time I used left over mini asparagus, carrot, and peppers. If you add veggies, throw them in before ad…
Cookpadcookpad.japan
Teriyaki Chicken Stovetop Recipe Recipe by Christina
Quick and delicious. So much better for you than bottled teriyaki sauce. This recipe can easily be doubled, or just the sauce can be doubled if you’d like extra. There are tons of recipes out there for teriyaki chicken, but this one is the best I’ve tried so far. Recipe adapted from Gimmesomeoven.co…
CookpadChristina

🔥 Cooking Method Alternatives for Teriyaki Chicken

Cooking StyleDescription
GrilledGreat for smoky flavor, caramelized glaze
BakedEasy, hands-off cooking
Air FryerCrispy outside, juicy inside
Slow CookerSet and forget comfort food
Crock Pot ThighsFall-apart tender and flavorful
Instant PotFast and juicy, perfect for busy nights
Teriyaki Chicken Airfryer Home Recipes
Huge variety of great teriyaki chicken airfryer recipes published by home cooks like you!
Cookpad
Teriyaki Chicken Slow Cooker Home Recipes
Huge variety of great teriyaki chicken slow cooker recipes published by home cooks like you!
Cookpad

FAQ about chicken teriyaki: Cooking & Nutrition

  • How do you make chicken teriyaki? Cook chicken in a skillet and simmer with a sauce of soy, mirin, ginger, and sugar until glazed.
  • Is teriyaki chicken healthy? Homemade versions can be! It's high in protein. Watch sugar and sodium levels in bottled sauces.

What are the nutrition facts for chicken teriyaki?

On average:

  • Calories: 270–350 per serving
  • Protein: 25–30g
  • Carbs: 10–20g (mostly from sauce)
  • Fat: 10–15g

This easy chicken teriyaki recipe is endlessly adaptable: make it sweet with honey, tropical with pineapple, or fast in the Instant Pot. No matter the method, it’s a hit every time. Serve it in bowls, bento boxes, or sandwiches—and enjoy the perfect balance of flavor and simplicity.

📌 Summary

This easy chicken teriyaki recipe is endlessly adaptable: make it sweet with honey, tropical with pineapple, or fast in the Instant Pot. No matter the method, it’s a hit every time. Serve it in bowls, bento boxes, or sandwiches—and enjoy the perfect balance of flavor and simplicity.

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