How to Make Teriyaki Chicken: Simple & Flavorful

Teriyaki chicken is a flavorful and beautifully glazed dish, perfect for an easy, satisfying meal. With tender chicken coated in a rich, sweet, and savory sauce, this recipe will walk you through the process with clear and simple steps. The recipe focuses on the Japanese cooking essentials: sake for flavor and removing raw smell, mirin for a glossy finish, soy sauce for taste and color, and sugar for that delicious caramelized touch. Let’s dive into the process!

Ingredients:

– Boneless Chicken (with Skin): The main protein, cut into small portions for quick and even cooking.

For Marinade:

  – Sake (or cooking wine): Adds depth to the chicken and removes the raw smell.

  – Teriyaki Sauce: For its sweet, savory flavor.

  – Black Pepper: Provides a mild heat to balance the sweetness.

Cooking Ingredients:

  – Oil and Butter: For frying the chicken, adding richness and flavor.

  – All-purpose Flour: Lightly dusted over the chicken for a crispy exterior.

For Serving:

  – Teriyaki Sauce: Thick and rich, used for coating the chicken.

  – White Sesame Seeds: For texture and flavor.

  – Black Sesame Seeds: Adds a bold touch to the rice.

  – Sushi Rice: Soft and sticky, perfect for serving with the chicken.

  – Lettuce and Vegetables: A fresh accompaniment to balance the rich flavors.

 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken
Marinate boneless chicken pieces in sake (or cooking wine), teriyaki sauce, and black pepper. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.

2. Heat Oil and Butter
In a pan, heat a mix of oil and butter over medium heat until the butter melts.

3. Dust Chicken with Flour
Lightly coat the marinated chicken with all-purpose flour. This helps create a crispy crust when frying.

4. Cook the Chicken
Place the chicken in the pan, starting with the skin side down. Fry both sides until they are golden brown and fully cooked, about 3-4 minutes per side.

5. Remove Excess Oil
Once the chicken is cooked, remove excess oil from the pan to avoid greasiness.

6. Add Teriyaki Sauce
Pour teriyaki sauce into the pan with the chicken. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken nicely. Add a bit of water if the sauce becomes too thick.

7. Serve and Garnish
Serve the chicken with sushi rice, fresh lettuce, and vegetables. Drizzle the thickened teriyaki sauce over the chicken. Garnish with white sesame seeds on the chicken and black sesame seeds on the rice for a final touch.

Key Flavor Elements of Teriyaki Chicken

1. Soy Sauce: The soy sauce gives the dish its rich, salty flavor and deep brown color. It forms the base of the teriyaki sauce, balancing sweetness with umami.

2. Mirin: Mirin is a sweet rice wine that gives the sauce a bright, glossy finish. It also contributes to the sweetness of the dish and helps caramelize the chicken.

3. Sake: Used in the marinade, sake adds depth of flavor and eliminates any raw smell from the chicken. It also helps tenderize the meat.

4. Sugar: The sugar in the teriyaki sauce caramelizes as it cooks, giving the chicken a beautiful shine and slightly sticky texture. It balances the saltiness of the soy sauce.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

This dish is not only delicious but also provides a balance of nutrients:

– Calories: ~450-500 kcal

– Protein: ~30g (from chicken)

– Fat: ~15-20g (from butter and oil)

– Carbohydrates: ~50g (from rice and teriyaki sauce)

– Sodium: ~800mg (from soy sauce and teriyaki)

– Sugar: ~15g (from mirin and sugar)

– Fiber: ~3-4g (from vegetables)

This Teriyaki Chicken recipe is satisfying and nutritious, with a good mix of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. It’s a balanced meal that offers both indulgence from the rich sauce and health benefits from the lean chicken and fresh vegetables.

check more chicken recipes here

 Final Thoughts

This easy and flavorful Teriyaki Chicken recipe can be whipped up with minimal effort and ingredients. The steps are simple, yet the result is a beautiful dish that shines with the glossy teriyaki glaze, crunchy sesame seeds, and tender, juicy chicken. The balance between sweet and savory flavors will make this a go-to recipe for a quick weeknight dinner or a special treat for guests.

Enjoy the delightful combination of textures and flavors—crispy chicken, sticky rice, fresh vegetables, and the perfect teriyaki sauce.