Let’s be honest. Some nights you want something bold, saucy, and satisfying… but you don’t want to wait 45 minutes or wash half your kitchen to get it. That’s exactly why Easy Teriyaki Chicken is about to become your new favorite weeknight dinner.
This quick teriyaki chicken meal delivers tender, juicy chicken coated in a sticky teriyaki glaze that’s sweet, savory, and just a little glossy in the best way. It tastes like your favorite takeout order, but it’s made right in your own skillet with pantry ingredients.
If you’ve been looking for the best teriyaki chicken recipe that’s beginner-friendly, family-approved, and perfect for meal prep, you’re in the right place. Let me show you how to make homemade teriyaki chicken that will land in your weekly dinner rotation fast.
Meanwhile, if you love quick chicken dinners, you might also enjoy this Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts – easy weeknight dinner from — it has that same sweet-and-savory comfort factor.
Now let’s get into it.
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Is the Perfect Weeknight Dinner
Easy Teriyaki Chicken works because it hits all the right notes: fast, flavorful, and flexible.
This simple teriyaki chicken recipe is:
- Ready in about 20 minutes
- Made with everyday pantry staples
- Perfect for busy weeknight chicken recipes
- Great for meal prep lunches
- Easy to customize for spice level or dietary needs
The balance in this easy Asian chicken dinner is what makes it shine. You’ve got salty soy sauce, brown sugar sweetness, a little tang from rice vinegar, and that cozy warmth from ginger. Once it simmers, the cornstarch transforms everything into a glossy, sticky teriyaki glaze that clings to every piece of chicken.
And here’s the thing: this isn’t complicated cooking. This is stove-top teriyaki chicken done the smart way.
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Ingredients You’ll Need
Easy Teriyaki Chicken keeps it simple. No mystery ingredients. No specialty grocery trips.
Here’s what you’ll need for this homemade teriyaki chicken.
For the chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced (you can also use thighs for juicier results)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For the teriyaki chicken sauce recipe:
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger (or fresh grated ginger if you have it)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Optional garnishes:
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
To serve:
- Steamed white rice or brown rice
- Broccoli or mixed vegetables
If you need a gluten-free teriyaki chicken option, swap soy sauce for tamari. Same flavor, no problem.
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Step-by-Step Instructions
Easy Teriyaki Chicken comes together in one skillet. This is where the magic happens.
First, season your diced chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss it well so every piece gets coated.
Next, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer. Let it brown without moving it too much at first. That golden color equals flavor.
Cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and lightly caramelized on the outside.
While that’s happening, whisk together your chicken teriyaki marinade (which doubles as the sauce). In a bowl, combine soy sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, and cornstarch. Whisk it well. Make sure the cornstarch dissolves completely. Cold liquid helps prevent clumps.
Once the chicken is cooked through, pour the sauce directly into the skillet.
After that, reduce the heat slightly and let everything simmer. Stir gently as the sauce thickens. Within 2–3 minutes, you’ll see it transform into a sticky teriyaki glaze that coats the chicken beautifully.
That’s it. That’s your easy Asian chicken dinner.
Serve immediately over rice and spoon extra sauce on top. Don’t waste a drop.
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Variations to Try
Easy Teriyaki Chicken is flexible. You can tweak it depending on what you’re craving.
Spicy teriyaki chicken
Add 1–2 teaspoons of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. It gives you that sweet-heat combo that’s seriously addictive.
Healthy teriyaki chicken dinner
Use chicken thighs for more richness or stick with lean chicken breast for a lighter version. Serve over cauliflower rice or alongside steamed vegetables for a lower-carb option.
Teriyaki chicken with vegetables
Add sliced bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, or broccoli directly into the skillet during the last few minutes of cooking. It turns into a complete one-pan meal.
Grilled teriyaki chicken
Instead of cooking on the stove, marinate whole chicken breasts in the sauce (without cornstarch) for 30 minutes. Grill until cooked, then brush with thickened sauce at the end.
Vegetarian option
Swap chicken for firm tofu. Pan-sear it first, then toss in the sticky teriyaki glaze.
This is why so many people consider this the best teriyaki chicken recipe for busy households. It adapts.
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Make-Ahead and Meal Prep Tips
Easy Teriyaki Chicken is perfect for teriyaki chicken meal prep.
You can dice and season the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. Keep it covered in the fridge.
The teriyaki chicken sauce recipe can also be mixed ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just whisk again before using.
Once cooked, store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water.
For longer storage, freeze cooked teriyaki chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Meanwhile, if you’re planning your weekly menu, you can browse more delicious dinner ideas for busy nights Sausage and Sweet Potatoes with Honey Garlic Sauce Delight, Savory Apple Cider Chicken with Butternut Squash Delight to mix things up.
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Serving Ideas
Easy Teriyaki Chicken pairs well with so many sides.
Classic teriyaki chicken with rice
Fluffy white rice is traditional and soaks up every bit of that sticky sauce. Brown rice works great too.
Teriyaki chicken with vegetables
Steamed broccoli, sautéed green beans, or roasted carrots add color and texture.
Noodles
Serve this simple teriyaki chicken recipe over soba noodles or ramen for a heartier meal.
Lettuce wraps
Spoon the chicken into crisp lettuce leaves for a lighter, fresh option.
It’s the kind of easy Asian chicken dinner that feels like takeout — but cleaner and fresher.
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Expert Tips for Best Results
Easy Teriyaki Chicken may be simple, but a few small details make a big difference.
Don’t overcrowd the pan
Cook the chicken in a single layer so it browns instead of steams.
Whisk cornstarch thoroughly
Cornstarch must be fully dissolved before hitting the heat. Otherwise, you’ll get lumps.
Simmer, don’t boil aggressively
A gentle simmer thickens the sauce evenly and gives you that perfect sticky teriyaki glaze.
Taste before serving
If you like it sweeter, add a touch more brown sugar. If you want more tang, a splash of rice vinegar does the trick.
These small tweaks help turn homemade teriyaki chicken into something that truly rivals restaurant versions.
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Nutrition Overview
Easy Teriyaki Chicken is satisfying but balanced.
Per serving (approximate):
- Around 350 calories
- High in protein from chicken breast
- Moderate carbs from sauce
- Lower fat when made with chicken breast
To make a healthy teriyaki chicken dinner, serve with steamed vegetables and brown rice. If you’re watching sodium, choose low-sodium soy sauce.
Easy Teriyaki Chicken FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes. Thighs stay extra juicy and work beautifully in this quick teriyaki chicken meal.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Absolutely. Use tamari instead of regular soy sauce for gluten-free teriyaki chicken.
How do I thicken teriyaki sauce without cornstarch?
You can simmer longer to reduce it naturally, though it won’t be quite as glossy.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Just use a larger skillet or cook in batches so the chicken browns properly.
Is this good for meal prep?
It’s one of the best options for teriyaki chicken meal prep. It reheats well and holds flavor.
Easy Teriyaki Chicken
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Easy Teriyaki Chicken is a quick 20-minute dinner made with tender, juicy chicken coated in a sweet and savory sticky teriyaki glaze. This better-than-takeout recipe is beginner-friendly, family-approved, and perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Sliced green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Season diced chicken with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken in a single layer and cook 5–7 minutes until browned and fully cooked.
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Pour the teriyaki sauce into the skillet with the chicken.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring gently.
- Cook until sauce thickens into a sticky glaze.
- Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired.
- Serve warm over rice or with vegetables.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness or tamari for a gluten-free option. Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure proper browning. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Final Thoughts
Easy Teriyaki Chicken proves that you don’t need complicated techniques to make bold, satisfying food.
This homemade teriyaki chicken delivers that classic sweet-and-savory flavor in just 20 minutes. It works for busy weeknights, meal prep lunches, and even casual dinner gatherings.
Whether you serve it as teriyaki chicken with rice, pair it with vegetables, or turn it into a full easy Asian chicken dinner spread, this recipe is dependable and delicious every single time.
If you’re building your collection of reliable weeknight chicken recipes, this one absolutely deserves a spot at the top.
And once you try it, don’t be surprised if it becomes your new go-to comfort meal.
For more delicious recipe ideas, check out our Pinterest page at virlerecipes. Happy cooking!