Cook from scratch, no fuss
Most of the dishes I cook at home are made from scratch – and honestly, it often it doesn’t take much time at all. This Quick and Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe is a perfect example of that. It’s absolutely delicious, yet it takes less than 30 minutes to whip up, using ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen cupboard. No need for a shop-bought sauce – you can make everything from scratch and it tasteds even better.
The perfect midweek meal
Who doesn’t love a glossy, sticky, utterly delicious teriyaki chicken, served with a bowl of freshly steamed rice? The chicken is tender and juicy, soaked in that sweet-savoury sauce, infused with the warm flavour of ginger and garlic, and finished with a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a treat but is actually so easy to throw together. We had it for dinner tonight, alongside some steamed greens and a few sheets of roasted seaweed – my kids love chopping those up and mixing them in.
Why this Quick and Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe works
You saw the words quick and easy and thought, “Yes please!”. I don’t blame you – those are magic words for a busy weeknight dinner. But what makes this Quick and Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe so good is that it’s made completely from scratch. You’re in control of the flavours, there are no additives or hidden extras, and the results speak for themselves. It’s comforting, full of flavour and on the table in no time.
Ingredients you’ll need
The best cut of chicken for this dish is thigh fillets—they stay lovely and juicy. But if you prefer something leaner, chicken breast works just fine, too. I chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces. There is no need to marinate; just slice and go.
To start, you’ll need some minced garlic and grated ginger – this is the base of the flavour and gives the dish its signature aroma.
For the sauce:
- Grated ginger – this is the star of the show. I grate mine into a paste using my little Spanish grater.
- Garlic granules or finely minced fresh garlic – whatever you’ve got to hand.
- Soy sauce – I like to mix light and dark soy for the perfect colour and depth, but either works.
- Sesame oil – just a touch, for that nutty warmth.
- White wine vinegar – or apple cider vinegar, if that’s what’s in your cupboard.
- A generous squeeze of honey.
- Cornflour – to thicken the sauce.
- And of course some water to bring it all together.
How to make my Quick and Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Right, let’s get cooking. First, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and ginger, give them a quick stir-fry for about a minute until they’re fragrant. Then add your chicken chunks and cook for around 10 minutes, stirring often so nothing sticks or burns. The goal here is to brown and seal the chicken. Stir in the sesame oil to coat the pieces and give that lovely nutty flavour.
While the chicken’s cooking, I make the teriyaki sauce. It couldn’t be easier – just mix everything together in a small bowl using a whisk or spoon. Honestly, it takes about a minute to do. And today, Summer, my 5-year-old daughter, mixes the sauce for me.
Once the chicken is browned, pour in the sauce and keep stirring. You’ll see it start to bubble and thicken almost immediately. Turn the heat down to low and let it simmer gently for another 7 to 10 minutes. That’s it.
Dinner sorted
Sprinkle over some toasted sesame seeds and serve it up with a bowl of fluffy steamed rice and some green veg. That’s dinner done – satisfying, wholesome and full of flavour, all in under 30 minutes.
This Quick and Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe has become a weeknight favourite in our house. Will you give it a try next time you’re stuck for dinner ideas?
If you love chicken dishes as much as we do, don’t forget to check out the chicken section on my website for more inspiration. There you will find:
Quick and Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (from scratch)
Description
This Quick and Easy Teriyaki Chicken recipe is your go-to for busy weeknights. It's made completely from scratch, so there's no need for bottled sauce. Juicy chicken is cooked in a glossy, garlicky, gingery sauce, and it's ready in under 30 minutes. Serve with steamed rice and veggies for a wholesome, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
For the Teriyaki Sauce
To finish
Instructions
-
Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the ginger and garlic and fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook for around 10 minutes, stirring often, until browned and cooked through.
-
Add the Sesame Oil
- Once the chicken is browned, stir in the sesame oil to coat the pieces and give that lovely nutty flavour.
-
Make the Sauce
- While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl - ginger, garlic, both soy sauces, vinegar, honey, cornflour and water - until smooth.
-
Combine and Simmer
- Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Stir continuously as the sauce begins to bubble and thicken.
- Reduce heat to low and let it simmer gently for 7-10 minutes until sticky and glossy.
-
Serve
- Sprinkle over toasted sesame seeds and serve hot with steamed rice and vegetables.
