Description
This quick and easy Teriyaki Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breast cubes sautéed to perfection and coated in a flavorful, homemade teriyaki sauce made with low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, garlic, and ginger. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a perfect weekday dinner that pairs beautifully with steamed rice or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey (or more brown sugar)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup cold water
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season the cubed chicken evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavors during cooking.
- Sauté Chicken: Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sauté them for 3-4 minutes on one side, then turn and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is nearly cooked through and lightly browned.
- Prepare Sauce Base: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, low-sodium soy sauce, light brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger. Whisk and heat until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute.
- Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Add this mixture to the saucepan and whisk continuously. Continue to heat over medium heat until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Pour the thickened teriyaki sauce over the sautéed chicken in the skillet. Cook together for 2-3 more minutes, allowing the chicken to finish cooking through and the sauce to reduce slightly for a rich coating.
- Serve: Plate the teriyaki chicken and drizzle with any remaining sauce from the skillet. Serve hot with your choice of sides such as steamed rice or vegetables. Enjoy!
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
- The honey can be replaced with extra brown sugar if you prefer a richer sweetness.
- If fresh ginger is unavailable, ground ginger works well, but fresh provides better flavor.
- To add vegetables, stir-fry bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas and mix with the chicken before adding the sauce.
- Adjust seasoning with salt or soy sauce as needed, especially if using regular soy sauce which is saltier than low sodium.
