Pan-Seared Chicken Teriyaki with Caramelized Onions

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

Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared and glazed with a glossy teriyaki sauce, complemented by sweet caramelized onions for a rich, savory main dish. This japanese ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp mirin, 2 tbsp sake, and 2 tbsp brown sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves to make teriyaki sauce.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes until deep golden and caramelized.
  3. Step 3: Push onions to the side, add 4 boneless chicken thighs skin-side down, and sear for 6 minutes until skin is crispy and browned.
  4. Step 4: Flip chicken and add 1 tsp grated ginger and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Pour the teriyaki sauce over chicken and onions, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 8 minutes, spooning sauce over chicken until thickened and glossy.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 sliced green onions, and serve with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Teriyaki with Caramelized Onions take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Teriyaki with Caramelized Onions?

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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken Teriyaki with Caramelized Onions?

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 Pan-Seared Chicken Teriyaki with Caramelized Onions 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Teriyaki with Caramelized Onions?

Japanese japanese 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.

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