Of all the weeknight dinner options available to one, few are as universally loved and as easy to make as teriyaki chicken. Sweet and savory, it is sure to hit the table in under 30 minutes-on one of those really crazy evenings, anyway. This 30-minute teriyaki chicken comes out right every time; the rich, shiny sauce and tender chicken make it one of those dishes one keeps going back to.
Why Teriyaki Chicken is a Perfect Weeknight Dinner Teriyaki chicken is surely one of the staples in many families, not because it has just any flavor but because it’s prepared with simple ingredients. The teriyaki sauce binds sweet and savory flavors that kids and adults alike would adore. And, of course, not to mention, it could be served with everything from rice to vegetables. Versatile, and that should be in everyone’s rotation.
Benefits of Making 30-Minute Teriyaki Chicken Quick and Easy:
It would be ready in just 30 minutes-perfect for those weeknights when it is time to hurry up, but you want something good to eat. Affordable: Most of the ingredients are probably things you already have in your pantry, making it super affordable and convenient. Customizable: We just love chicken, but this recipe will work beautifully with firm tofu, beef, or even shrimp-should it happen that you like any of those options.
Balanced flavor: the sauce isn’t cloyingly sweet, but rather more of a gentle, nuanced balance to the savory, with the slightest tang, in each bite. Ingredients for 30-Minute Teriyaki Chicken Here’s what you need to make this fast and delicious teriyaki chicken:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts-cut into bite-sized pieces 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup sake, or substitute with chicken broth
2 tbsp brown sugar 2 tbsp honey, more or less depending on taste 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp ginger, minced 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed w/ 2 tbsp water to thicken sauce Sesame seeds and chopped green onions to garnish Steamed white or brown rice, to serve Step-by-Step Instructions to Make 30-Minute Teriyaki Chicken
- Prepare the Chicken
The Chicken: Chop the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces so that it can cook quickly and evenly. You can take a call on whether to use thighs or breasts since thighs will give you a juicier piece of meat, while breasts will prove leaner.
- Teriyaki Sauce
Whisk together all the ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. The resultant mixture shall be referred to as teriyaki sauce. The ingredients will give that perfect balance of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors that make teriyaki sauce delectable.
- Cooking the Chicken
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until hot, but not smoking. Add chicken to a single layer in the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Make sure occasionally stir the chicken so that it cooks evenly.
- Add the Sauce
Once the chicken is cooked, add the teriyaki sauce mixture to the skillet. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook 2-3 minutes until flavors combine. If you want thicker sauce, add cornstarch mixture into the skillet and stir well. The sauce will thicken when heated up and sit on the chicken beautifully.
- Garnish and Serve
Once it reaches your desired thickness, pull the sauce from the heat. Serve teriyaki chicken on a bed of steamed rice, sprinkling with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavor and color.
Tips for Perfect Teriyaki Chicken
Using Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and ginger are the magic ingredients that will make your teriyaki sauce delicious. Using their powdered versions will not give the right flavor to your dish.
Do not overcrowd the pan: If necessary, cook chicken in batches so that it will brown and not steam in a large quantity, which would render it tough.
Less sweet: In case you do not take your Teriyaki sauce that sweet, you may reduce honey or brown sugar to your liking while doing the recipe.
Serve it with veggies: stir-fry or steam some veggies like broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers along with it, and you have a complete meal.
Why You Should Make Teriyaki Chicken at Home
It’s always easy to find bottled teriyaki sauce in the store. But the mere fact that you have prepared it at home places you in a better position than managing ingredients and flavor. Most of the store-bought sauces come with high sodium content, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners. In that way, you are going to make the sauce to taste and according to your diet.
Besides, the added advantage you have while making teriyaki chicken at home is that you can try different types of proteins and vegetables too. So, it is pretty much a versatile recipe that you can change according to your will to suit any ingredient you have with you.
Nutritional Benefits of the Ingredients
Chicken: Besides being a good source of lean protein, chicken is considered one of the essentials for one’s body as it helps to repair and grow muscles. It is very low in fat, especially if chicken breasts are used.
Soy Sauce: Good source for umami flavoring and minerals, but it is to be used in a judicious amount due to its high sodium content.
Garlic and Ginger: Both are anti-inflammatory in nature and very rich in antioxidants. They further help in digestion and enhance the flavor of the sauce.
Honey: Honey is a natural sweetener. Use this for sweetening instead of refined sugars. Honey has antibacterial properties.
Pairing Suggestions
While teriyaki chicken may be served alone, here’s a couple of ideas to make this into a meal:
Steamed Rice: Rice, white or brown, is the more common pairing, sopping up flavored teriyaki sauce.
Stir-Fried Vegetables: Stir-fry some vegetables along with chicken, like broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers for added flavor.
Noodles: Goes really great over soba noodles or even rice noodles.
Side Salad: Light refreshing side of cucumber salad in a zesty dressing cuts the sweetness of teriyaki sauce.
Conclusion
This 30-minute teriyaki chicken recipe is going to be an amazing addition to your dinner rotation. Super quick, super easy, and packed full of flavor, this will most definitely become a family favorite. Sweet and savory teriyaki sauce atop tender chicken is comforting and will merge to make an incredibly satisfying meal.
This recipe is ideal for the avid cook and the first timer entering a kitchen. This recipe is quite simple, but one can definitely substitute chicken with other options. Tofu, beef, and shrimp work great as substitutions. Just exchange one ingredient with any of these, and voilà-you have a different meal altogether. Served over rice and vegetables, it is a well-rounded nutritious dinner to present on the table in just 30 minutes.
The next time you want to have a nice, quick dinner idea, try this 30-minute teriyaki chicken. This will surely be one of those dishes that will be favored in your family and one that you’ll be able to make time and time again.
