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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
