Authentic Chicken Teriyaki

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional Japanese dish with perfectly glazed chicken and sweet-savory sauce, simmered to tender perfection for an authentic restaurant-quality meal. This japanese-inspired asian ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken breasts, soy sauce, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.0 (14 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 Japanese cuisine 300 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Slice 1 lb boneless chicken breasts into 1/2-inch thick pieces, then whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp mirin, 2 tbsp sake, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tsp grated ginger in a bowl.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add chicken pieces, and cook for 4 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove from pan.
  3. Step 3: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet, bring to a simmer, then add 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water, stirring until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 2 minutes).
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet, coating evenly, and simmer for 3 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce is glossy, then serve over steamed rice with sesame seeds.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic Chicken Teriyaki take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Authentic Chicken Teriyaki?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Chicken Teriyaki?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Authentic Chicken Teriyaki for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Authentic Chicken Teriyaki?

Japanese asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes