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Culinary Journeys · Japanese

Soy-Glazed Teriyaki Chicken

A sweet and savory classic with a touch of ginger

This Soy-Glazed Teriyaki Chicken is a beloved Japanese classic featuring succulent chicken thighs enveloped in a glossy, sweet-and-savory glaze. It's a dish that strikes a perfect balance of flavors with the warming undertones of ginger, making it a comforting choice for any night of the week.

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Serves

4

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3 green onions, chopped

Teriyaki Sauce

  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)
  • 2 tbsp sake
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Garnish

  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • Steamed rice, for serving

Method

  1. 1

    Prepare the Chicken

    Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Cut each thigh into 2-3 pieces for even cooking.

  2. 2

    Make the Teriyaki Sauce

    In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic until sugar is dissolved.

  3. 3

    Cook the Chicken

    Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.

  4. 4

    Glaze the Chicken

    In the same skillet, pour in the teriyaki sauce and bring to a simmer. Return chicken pieces to the skillet and cook, turning occasionally, until sauce is thickened and coats the chicken, about 3-4 minutes.

  5. 5

    Serve

    Sprinkle chicken with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve hot over steamed rice.

Origin story

Teriyaki sauce, a hallmark of Japanese cuisine, originated as a cooking technique where foods are glazed with a soy sauce, sake, and sugar mixture. This method has since become popular worldwide, celebrated for its irresistible umami flavor and glossy finish.