Name: Easy Homemade Chicken Teriyaki Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 2 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, diced into 1 inch pieces; 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil; ½ cup Low-Sodium Soy Sauce; ¼ cup Water; ¼ cup Honey; ¼ cup Light Brown Sugar, packed; 2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar; ¼ teaspoon Sesame Oil; ½ teaspoon Ground Ginger; 2 cloves Garlic, minced (or 2 teaspoons minced garlic); 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch; Sesame Seeds; Chopped Green Onions

Jump to Recipe· 4.3 from 85 reviews

If you’ve ever craved that perfectly glossy, sweet, and savory dish that tastes like you ordered takeout but made it better at home, you’re in for a treat with this Easy Homemade Chicken Teriyaki Recipe. It’s a vibrant combination of tender chicken pieces drenched in a luscious teriyaki sauce that’s both rich and comforting. This recipe is a celebration of simplicity and flavor, whipped up in just 25 minutes using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. I promise, once you make this at home, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for anything else.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A rectangular clear glass container holds raw pieces of light pink chicken at the center of a white marbled surface. Around it, ten small clear glass bowls form a loose circle: starting top center and moving clockwise, a bowl with dark soy sauce, a measuring cup with water, a bowl with amber liquid, a bowl with pale oil, a bowl with bright yellow oil, a small bowl with dark brown liquid, a bowl with minced garlic, a bowl with white powder, a bowl with ground brown spice, and a bowl holding a packed light brown sugar cube. The jars and container are evenly spaced, with clean textures and colors in natural light. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering your ingredients for this Easy Homemade Chicken Teriyaki Recipe couldn’t be more straightforward. Each element plays a crucial role, from the tender chicken breasts offering juicy texture to the sweet and tangy sauces that bring everything together into a perfect harmony of flavor and mouthwatering color.

2 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Diced into 1-inch pieces for quick, even cooking and delicious bites.
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil: Adds a light, clean flavor and helps brown the chicken beautifully.
½ cup Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: The salty backbone of your teriyaki sauce that keeps the dish balanced.
¼ cup Water: Ensures the sauce mixes well and isn’t too thick before thickening.
¼ cup Honey: Infuses the sauce with natural sweetness and a glossy finish.
¼ cup Light Brown Sugar (packed): Boosts caramel notes and deepens flavor complexity.
2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar: Adds a gentle tang that cuts through the sweetness for balance.
¼ teaspoon Sesame Oil: Brings a toasty, nutty aroma that elevates the dish.
½ teaspoon Ground Ginger: Offers warmth and a subtle bite to the sauce.
2 cloves Garlic (minced): Gives aromatic depth and savory punch.
1 Tablespoon Cornstarch: Essential for thickening the sauce to that perfect shiny glaze.
Sesame Seeds (optional): Adds a subtle crunch and nutty finish when sprinkled on top.
Chopped Green Onions (optional): Refreshing color and mild onion flavor to brighten each bite.

How to Make Easy Homemade Chicken Teriyaki Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Chicken

Start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the diced chicken pieces, letting them brown nicely for about 3 to 4 minutes without moving them too much to get that beautiful sear. Flip the chicken and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until browned on all sides and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. This step is key for juicy, flavorful chicken that’s the star of the show.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Teriyaki Sauce

While the chicken cooks, mix soy sauce, water, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ground ginger, minced garlic, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Whisk these together well to ensure the cornstarch is fully dissolved. This mixture combines sweet, savory, and tangy notes that create the iconic teriyaki flavor, while the cornstarch guarantees a thick, glossy sauce perfect for coating your chicken.

Step 3: Combine Chicken and Sauce in the Skillet

Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the browned chicken. Stir continuously for about 60 to 90 seconds as the sauce thickens, clinging to each piece of chicken with a shiny coat. This quick simmer melds the flavors and elevates your chicken into a sticky, irresistible dish you’ll want to dive into right away.

How to Serve Easy Homemade Chicken Teriyaki Recipe

A white pan filled with small pieces of cooked chicken covered in a thick, dark brown sauce sits in the center. The sauce glistens and pools around the chicken, with some sauce splattered on the edges of the pan. Sprinkled green scallions and white sesame seeds are on top of the chicken, adding color contrast. A wooden spoon with some chicken pieces on it rests inside the pan, its handle pointing toward the bottom right corner. To the left of the pan is a white bowl filled with cooked rice. Below the rice bowl are two small bowls, one with sliced green scallions and the other with sesame seeds. A few fresh scallions lie diagonally below the small bowls on the white marbled surface. To the right of the pan is an empty white plate with a pair of wooden chopsticks resting on the top edge. A grey and white striped cloth is partly underneath the pan and stretches toward the bottom right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Enhance your chicken teriyaki by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions on top. These simple garnishes add a delightful crunch, a pop of color, and fresh flavor that makes the dish look as amazing as it tastes. They also bring contrast that rounds out the richness of the sauce.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or fluffy white rice, which soaks up every luscious drop of sauce. For a vibrant, fresh veggie pop, serve alongside steamed broccoli, snap peas, or a crisp Asian-style slaw. These sides keep the meal balanced and give you a complete feast with minimal fuss.

Creative Ways to Present

Take your Easy Homemade Chicken Teriyaki Recipe up a notch by serving it over crisp lettuce leaves for a hand-held teriyaki “wrap” or stuffed into warm pita pockets with crunchy veggies for a fusion twist. You can even try layering it on soba noodles or rice noodles with a sprinkle of crushed peanuts for added texture and flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover chicken teriyaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the sauce thick and coating the chicken well helps preserve the texture and flavor, so it tastes almost as good the next day as it does fresh off the stove.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully. Just cool it completely, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently to prevent drying out.

Reheating

Reheat your leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently to warm evenly and preserve that glossy sauce. Alternatively, microwave on medium power in intervals, stirring in between, to avoid overcooking the chicken. Adding a splash of water can help loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully for this recipe, lending a juicier texture and richer flavor. Just adjust the cooking time slightly since thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.

Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?

Yes! Swap out the regular soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos to make this dish gluten-free without sacrificing the savory depth of the teriyaki sauce.

Can I make this recipe vegan or vegetarian?

To make a vegan version, substitute the chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, and use a vegan-friendly sweetener like maple syrup instead of honey. The sauce remains the same, making it just as delicious for plant-based eaters.

How can I add vegetables to the dish?

For a complete meal, toss in bite-sized broccoli florets, sliced carrots, or snap peas during the last few minutes of cooking. They add freshness, color, and a satisfying crunch.

What can I do if my sauce is too thick or too thin?

If your sauce gets too thick, simply stir in a little water to loosen it up. If it’s too thin, mix a bit more cornstarch with water and simmer a little longer until it reaches the perfect glaze consistency.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Homemade Chicken Teriyaki Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate—comforting, delicious, and effortlessly impressive. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or a casual gathering, this recipe delivers satisfying flavors with minimal fuss. I can’t wait for you to give it a try and make it your own kitchen favorite. Happy cooking!

Easy Homemade Chicken Teriyaki Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need