Teriyaki Chicken {Easy 15 Minute Recipe}

Published April 22, 2018. Updated August 30, 2020

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This Teriyaki Chicken recipe will quickly become a new favorite! In this one pan recipe, bite size chicken breasts pieces are sautéed in a skillet then coated with an easy and deliciously flavorful sauce.

After you try this recipe, also try my Grilled Teriyaki Chicken and baked Teriyaki Salmon!

teriyaki chicken recipe

Easy Teriyaki Chicken

This tastes just like your favorite Asian take-out but you can have this ready faster than the time it would take to go pick up take-out! No marinade required.

I’ve shared other teriyaki chicken recipes like my Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Bowl but this hands down beats the prep and cook time on any other teriyaki chicken I’ve tried. And yet it tastes just as good! Plus it’s such a flavorful sauce so it doesn’t even require marinating.

Want to see how easy this recipe is? Watch the video!

 

It’s a (mostly) healthy recipe that comes in at an estimated 258 calories per serving so it a smarter choice than the deep fried food you usually get from your favorite Chinese take-out.

easy teriyaki chicken

Chicken and Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients and Substitutes

  • Chicken breasts: use boneless skinless. Chicken thighs will work great too, just cook a little longer.
  • Olive oil: Vegetable oil can be used here as well.
  • Low-sodium soy sauce: You can also use 2 1/2 Tbsp standard soy sauce with 1 1/2 Tbsp water.
  • Honey: If you don’t have this you can use more brown sugar.
  • Brown sugar: I use light brown sugar, dark would be fine or even granulated sugar.
  • Rice vinegar: Apple cider vinegar will work well too. Even lemon juice can be used in a pinch.
  • Sesame oil: This has a bold flavor, so a little goes a long way. Unrefined peanut oil can be used as well, add extra.
  • Ginger: Fresh is best, but if you must 1/2 tsp dried ginger could be used.
  • Garlic: Again fresh is better, but 1 tsp dried granulated will work.
  • Cornstarch: This helps thicken the sauce so it is critical to the recipe. Arrowroot starch could be substituted.
  • Sesame seeds and green onions: Optional garnishes. Add them if preferred.

chicken teriyaki

How To Make Teriyaki Chicken

  1. Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet or wok.
  2. Add chicken and let cook (giving space between pieces) until slightly browned on bottom then flip chicken pieces over and cook through.
  3. While the chicken is cooking whisk together the teriyaki sauce mixture.
  4. Pour sauce into the skillet once the chicken is just nearly finished cooking through and let the sauce cook and simmer until thickened.
  5. Easy as that! Serve it warm over brown or white rice with steamed veggies.

Helpful Tips

  • Season sauce as desired. If you like mild salt flavor you could replace some soy sauce with water, if you want it saltier just add some salt.
  • The sesame oil can be omitted, I’ve also made this without and it’s still delicious. Or add more if you love that flavor.
  • Work to cut chicken into evenly sized pieces so they cook evenly.
  • Be careful not to over-cook the chicken or it will start to dry out.

teriyaki chicken bowl

I’m telling you this is a must-try recipe! It’s one of my favorites for busy weeknights. It’s something everyone in my family loves and when I serve it with brown rice and steamed broccoli or asparagus it’s something I feel great about feeding them.

More Take-Out Style Asian Recipes to Try

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

teriyaki chicken recipe
4.95 from 123 votes

Teriyaki Chicken

This Teriyaki Chicken recipe will quickly become a new favorite! In this one pan recipe, bite size chicken breasts pieces are sautéed in a skillet then coated with an easy and delicious teriyaki sauce. To make this a 15 minute recipe prep the sauce mixture while the chicken is cooking.
Servings: 4
Prep10 minutes
Cook10 minutes
Ready in: 15 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add in chicken and let brown on bottom about 3 - 4 minutes then flip and continue to cook until center registers about 160 degrees, about 3 minutes longer.
  • While chicken is cooking, in a small mixing bowl (or liquid measuring cup) whisk together soy sauce, water, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic and cornstarch.
  • Stir the sauce in with the cooked chicken and continue to cook and toss until sauce has thickened, about 30 - 60 seconds longer. 
  • Serve warm garnished with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

Nutrition Facts
Teriyaki Chicken
Amount Per Serving
Calories 258 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 90mg30%
Sodium 698mg30%
Potassium 553mg16%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 30g60%
Vitamin A 40IU1%
Vitamin C 1.7mg2%
Calcium 14mg1%
Iron 0.8mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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190 Comments

  • Deb

    Wow! For a quick recipe this was awesome and my husband and I enjoyed it a lot. Will make this again and again. Thank you!

  • Anna Heppenstall

    I just made this tonight since I had chicken breast, broccoli and peppers. And I was lazy to spend too much time in the chicken since it’s Labor Day weekend. I added some cashews on top. So easy and yum! I’ll make this again!

  • Elizabeth Mccrary

    Thank you! Using what I had available, ground ginger and Apple cider vinegar..as suggested ..it was amazing . Both easy and delish! Will be making this again.

  • Jocelyn

    I am looking forward to making this! Do you have any tips for getting the chicken to brown? Whenever I make recipes like this, my chicken ends up releasing a bunch of juices in the pan without getting browned, even when I coat it first in cornstarch. (I use a cast iron skillet.) I would appreciate any advice you have. Thank you!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I use a fairly high temperature and preheat the skillet well. Then add oil then add the chicken and give it space. If the pieces don’t have space they’ll more just steam in the liquid they give off. I use a big skillet then I’ll even use the sides of the skillet as needed to give the chicken space. Also don’t move the chicken for about 3 – 4 minutes and let it brown on bottom then flip. You can also cook in two batches which can help a lot. And try dabbing the chicken dry with paper towels before you add it to the skillet.
      Hope something there helps you!

      • Jocelyn

        Success! Thanks to your wonderful suggestions, I made wonderfully browned chicken for the first time ever. Thank you so much! And, of course, the teriyaki sauce on the chicken was delicious. My family loved this quick and easy meal.

        • Jaclyn

          Jaclyn Bell

          I’m so glad you found the tips helpful and so glad your family enjoyed the recipe Jocelyn! Thanks for your review!

  • Linda King

    I just made this and liked it very much. To intensify the flavor I made the sauce ahead and added cut up chicken tenderloins to marinate in a zip-type bag for about 2 hours. When ready to cook I drained the sauce in a colander into a saucepan. Cooked the chicken as directed. Added cornstarch to sauce mixture to finish. It was perfect and the flavor was super. My husband isn’t as fond of Asian-style cuisine but he had second helpings. Winner!