Quick Sticky 20-Minute Chicken Teriyaki Recipe Easy Homemade Dinner
A quick and easy chicken teriyaki recipe with a sweet, tangy, and sticky glaze that comes together in just 20 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 450 g), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (60 ml)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 cup water (60 ml)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Pat dry the chicken thighs with paper towels and cut into 1-inch pieces. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, and water until sugar dissolves.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add about 1 tablespoon oil.
- Add chicken pieces in a single layer without crowding. Cook 4-5 minutes on one side until browned.
- Flip chicken and cook another 3-4 minutes until golden and nearly cooked through.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes.
- Slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Cook 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens to a glossy, sticky finish. Remove from heat.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately with steamed rice or vegetables.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure proper browning. Pat chicken dry before cooking. Add cornstarch slurry only once sauce is simmering to avoid a gluey texture. Adjust sweetness by adding more honey or brown sugar if desired. If sauce thickens too much, stir in a splash of water to loosen. For extra caramelization, broil for 1 minute but watch carefully.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 32
Keywords: chicken teriyaki, quick dinner, sticky chicken, easy teriyaki sauce, weeknight meal, homemade teriyaki