🍗 Teriyaki Chicken (Restaurant-Style)
🕒 Time
-
Prep: 15 minutes
-
Cook: 20 minutes
-
Total: ~35 minutes
🍽 Servings
-
4 servings
🧾 Ingredients
Chicken
-
1½ lb (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
-
½ tsp salt
-
½ tsp black pepper
-
½ cup cornstarch (for coating)
-
Vegetable oil, for frying
Teriyaki Sauce
-
½ cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
-
⅓ cup brown sugar (or honey)
-
¼ cup water
-
2 tbsp rice vinegar (or mirin)
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
-
1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)
Garnish & Serving
-
Cooked white rice
-
Steamed broccoli
-
Sesame seeds
-
Chopped green onions
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Chicken
-
Cut chicken into bite-sized chunks.
-
Season with salt and pepper.
-
Toss chicken in cornstarch until fully coated.
2️⃣ Fry the Chicken
-
Heat ½ inch oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
-
Fry chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
-
Remove and drain on paper towels.
3️⃣ Make the Teriyaki Sauce
-
In a saucepan, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, water, vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
-
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
-
Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thick and glossy (2–3 minutes).
4️⃣ Combine
-
Add crispy chicken to the sauce.
-
Toss until evenly coated and sticky.
5️⃣ Serve
-
Spoon over steamed rice
-
Add broccoli on the side
-
Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions
❓ Q & A (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Can I bake or air-fry instead of frying?
Yes!
-
Air fryer: 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway
-
Oven: 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping once
Q: Chicken thighs or breasts?
-
Thighs: Juicier, more flavor (recommended)
-
Breasts: Leaner but can dry out if overcooked
Q: How do I make it healthier?
-
Skip frying and air-fry or pan-sear
-
Use low-sodium soy sauce
-
Reduce sugar by half or use honey/maple syrup
Q: Can I make the sauce ahead?
Yes! Store in the fridge up to 1 week in an airtight container.
Q: Is this gluten-free?
Use:
-
Gluten-free soy sauce (tamari)
-
Ensure cornstarch is certified GF
Q: How do I store leftovers?
-
Refrigerator: Up to 4 days
-
Reheat in a pan with a splash of water to loosen the sauce
Q: Can I use this sauce for other foods?
Absolutely! It works great with:
-
Salmon
-
Tofu
-
Shrimp
-
Stir-fried vegetables
