Honjozo Sake-Marinated Chicken Teriyaki
A refined Japanese dish where chicken is gently marinated in authentic honjozo sake, resulting in tender, subtly sweet glaze without overpowering alcohol notes. This japanese-inspired asian ready in about 43 minutes pairs skinless chicken thighs, honjozo sake, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 285 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 16 oz skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp honjozo sake
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: In a shallow dish, combine sake, soy sauce, mirin, sugar, ginger, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Add chicken thighs, ensuring they're fully submerged, and marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 2: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade), and sear thighs for 4 minutes per side until golden—do not overcrowd the pan.
- Step 3: Pour reserved marinade into the skillet, bring to a simmer, and cook for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Brush sauce over chicken, then cook for 1 more minute to glaze.
- Step 4: Transfer chicken to a plate, drizzle with remaining sesame oil, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honjozo Sake-Marinated Chicken Teriyaki take to make?
Total time is about 43 minutes (35 min prep + 8 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 Honjozo Sake-Marinated 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 skinless chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honjozo Sake-Marinated 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 Honjozo Sake-Marinated Chicken Teriyaki for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Honjozo Sake-Marinated 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
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.