Teriyaki chicken

Teriyaki Chicken is a popular Japanese dish known for its sweet and savory glaze. It’s easy to make at home and pairs wonderfully with rice and vegetables. Here’s a simple recipe for preparing delicious Teriyaki Chicken:

Teriyaki Chicken

Ingredients:

• For the Chicken:

  • 1 pound (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking)

• For the Teriyaki Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) sake (optional, or additional water)
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening, optional)

• For Garnish:

  • Sesame seeds
  • Sliced green onions
  • Steamed rice
  • Steamed or stir-fried vegetables (like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • If using chicken breasts, consider slicing them into thinner cutlets or even bite-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly and absorb more flavor.

2. Make the Teriyaki Sauce:

   • In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake (if using), brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
   • Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
   • Simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce is slightly reduced.
   • If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with water to make a slurry and stir it into the simmering sauce. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.

3. Cook the Chicken:

   • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
   • Add the chicken pieces and cook until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken.
   • Brush the cooked chicken with the teriyaki sauce, or you can add the sauce directly to the skillet and simmer with the chicken for a few minutes until heated through.

4. Serve:

   • Slice the cooked chicken and place it over steamed rice.
   • Drizzle with additional teriyaki sauce if desired.
   • Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
   • Serve with steamed or stir-fried vegetables on the side.

Tips:

• Marinating: For added flavor, you can marinate the chicken in some of the teriyaki sauce for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Alternative Cooking Methods: Teriyaki chicken can also be baked or grilled. If baking, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked.
• Sauce Variations: You can adjust the sweetness or saltiness of the sauce by altering the amount of sugar or soy sauce.

Enjoy your homemade Teriyaki Chicken with its deliciously glossy, sweet, and savory sauce!