Like many of my healthy Asian recipes — including broccoli and chicken stir fry or almond chicken — you can have this dish on the table in less than 30 minutes. Faster than ordering takeout!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best chicken teriyaki ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Chicken:
Olive Oil – For sauteing the chicken. You could also use avocado oil or any neutral cooking oil you prefer. Chicken – This time I used boneless skinless chicken breasts and cut them into bite-sized pieces, but I’ve also made this recipe with whole chicken breasts. Both work great! You can also make it with boneless skinless chicken thighs instead.
Teriyaki Sauce:
Coconut Aminos – I use coconut aminos as a clean-ingredient soy sauce substitute, but regular low sodium soy sauce or tamari works, too. Honey – You can use conventional honey or sugar-free honey. Both add natural sweetness and a glazed look, and also thicken the sauce without needing a cornstarch slurry (or any cornstarch substitutes). Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds tang. I love using this in my cooking, but you can substitute either white vinegar, white wine vinegar, or rice vinegar. Blackstrap Molasses – Adds a hint of brown sugar flavor without refined sugar. Brown sugar (or Besti Brown) will provide similar results, but you’d need more to achieve the same flavor and the sauce would be sweeter. Spices – The best spices for teriyaki chicken are garlic powder (or sub 1 clove of fresh minced garlic) and ground ginger (or sub 2 teaspoons of fresh grated ginger). Sesame Oil – It’s optional, but adds a depth and complexity to the flavor profile of the sauce, and brings out the sweetness of other ingredients.
Optional Garnish:
Sesame Seeds – You can use white or black sesame seeds. Green Onion – Sliced thinly, for a pop of flavor.
How To Make Teriyaki Chicken
This section shows how to make chicken teriyaki, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card. If you want a spicy kick, add 2 teaspoons chili garlic paste or 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
Storage Instructions
Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken or even harden as it cools, but will turn into the right consistency when you reheat it. Reheat: Warm up homemade chicken teriyaki on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave, until warm. Freeze: Cool completely, then place in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
What To Serve With Teriyaki Chicken
There are a variety of sides that will help complement the flavor and add variety to your dish. Here are some ideas: To avoid overcooking, check it with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 155-160 degrees F. Don’t wait for it to reach 165 degrees F, otherwise the chicken will dry out after cooking in sauce. Instead of cooking the chicken separately and then adding the sauce, mix the sauce together and marinate the raw chicken in it for up to 24 hours. Remove the chicken from the marinade, saute it in a skillet until golden, then add the remaining marinade to the pan and simmer to thicken.
Rice – Serve this recipe over a bowl of basmati rice, fried rice, or other white rice. For lighter options, try cauliflower rice, cauliflower fried rice, or shirataki rice. Vegetables – A side of roasted cauliflower, snap peas, buttery sauteed broccoli, roasted broccolini (shown chopped in the photos), or garlicky roasted bok choy pair well with Asian dishes like this. But, for a classic Asian meal make stir fry veggies. Japanese Sides – Add a side of smashed cucumber salad, spicy kani salad, or sweet and savory hakurei turnips to your plate.
You can also serve this as a teriyaki chicken bowl!
More Asian Chicken Recipes
Need a new chicken dish for dinner? Try out these ultra easy and tasty Asian-inspired recipes: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Nutrition info does not include optional garnishes. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Freezer Meal System and 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes!
