Teriyaki Chicken

Homemade teriyaki sauce beats bottled every time. Sweet, salty, and glossy.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves: 4

Ingredients

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  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup mirin (or 3 Tbsp rice vinegar + 1 Tbsp sugar)
  • 1/4 cup sake (or dry sherry)
  • 3 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch + 2 Tbsp water
  • Sesame seeds and green onions for garnish

Instructions

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  1. Whisk together soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger in a bowl. Set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and cook per side until golden and cooked through (165°F). Remove to a plate.
  3. Pour teriyaki sauce into the skillet. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits.
  4. Mix cornstarch with water. Stir into the sauce and cook until thickened.
  5. Return chicken to the skillet. Coat in sauce and cook , flipping to glaze both sides.
  6. Slice chicken and serve over rice. Drizzle with extra sauce, sesame seeds, and green onions.

Notes

  • Real teriyaki: The word means 'glossy grilled.' The sauce should be sticky and shiny.
  • Mirin: This sweet rice wine is key. Find it in the Asian aisle. Don't skip it.
  • No sake: Dry sherry or white wine work. Or use more mirin.
  • Grilled version: Grill chicken and brush with sauce during the last few minutes.
  • Chicken breast: Works but thighs are juicier and more forgiving.

Adapted from Just One Cookbook