This baked teriyaki chicken recipe features a homemade sauce that perfectly coats oven-baked chicken thighs, resulting in irresistibly sticky and flavorful chicken. It’s a family favorite and is simple to make with common pantry ingredients. Plus, it’s easy to double for larger gatherings.
This is it if you’re looking for a dish with everyone running to the table. After trying this recipe, you may rethink using store-bought teriyaki sauce or ordering Japanese takeout!
Table of Contents
What Is Baked Teriyaki Chicken?
Teriyaki chicken is coated with a flavorful teriyaki sauce. This sauce is typically made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, creating a balance of savory and sweet flavors. The dish originates from a Japanese cooking method called “teriyaki,” where meat is traditionally grilled or broiled while glazed with this sauce.
Teriyaki chicken refers to any dish cooked with teriyaki sauce, whether grilled, baked, or stir-fried. The key is the distinctive sweet and savory glaze that defines the dish.
Why is Baked Teriyaki Chicken so famous?
The rich flavors and ease of teriyaki preparation quickly won over people from various backgrounds, and it didn’t take long for this dish to spread beyond Japan. In the U.S., teriyaki gained widespread popularity in Hawaii, where Japanese immigrants introduced the local community to this delicious blend of savory and sweet flavors. Combining traditional teriyaki sauce with local Hawaiian ingredients significantly contributed to its rising popularity, transforming it into a cherished dish throughout the islands and eventually across the United States.
What Is Teriyaki Sauce?
Traditional teriyaki sauce typically consists of four core ingredients: soy sauce, mirin, ginger, and sugar. However, many chefs create unique sauce versions, adding flair to the classic recipe.
In this particular recipe, the teriyaki sauce is made with soy sauce, sugar, ginger, cornstarch for thickening, cider vinegar (in place of mirin), water, garlic, and a touch of black pepper. This variation adds complexity while keeping the familiar sweet and savory balance of flavors that teriyaki is known for.
Does teriyaki chicken taste good?
The chicken turns out tender, juicy, and flavorful because it’s baked in a thick teriyaki sauce that helps retain moisture, preventing the chicken from drying out. This homemade teriyaki sauce is straightforward and offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and mildly spicy flavors, adding depth and richness to the dish.
Is Japanese teriyaki chicken healthy?
Teriyaki chicken might seem healthy, but its nutritional value varies depending on its preparation. It can become less healthy if paired with excessive Rice or drenched in a sugary, MSG-laden sauce. Inexpensive teriyaki chicken dishes, in particular, may use high amounts of MSG or sugar-rich glazes, which detract from their nutritional value. Therefore, moderation and mindful preparation are vital to making teriyaki chicken healthier.
Should teriyaki sauce be applied before or after cooking?
Teriyaki sauce is commonly applied to meat or meat substitutes during cooking, whether on a grill or in a wok. It’s also widely used as a dipping sauce or condiment, adding a sweet and savory glaze to dishes like pork tenderloin, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, flank steak, or your preferred meat alternatives. This versatile sauce enhances the flavor of various proteins, making it a popular choice in many kitchens.
Eliarecipes Community Feedback and Recommendations
Community Tips and Feedback
“This recipe was amazing! I was surprised that my homemade teriyaki sauce tasted even better than most store-bought versions. My picky eater daughter kept raving about it the next day, and my 21-month-old son kept saying ‘yummy,'” shares Mary. K.
Rose. J adds, “This is a top favorite at our house! It’s always juicy, tender, and flavorful. My only change is doubling the batch, marinating the chicken for two days in a sealed zip-lock bag, and flipping it occasionally. Then I cook it just as the recipe suggests, making all the difference.”
Ava. K says, “Every time I make this, I get compliments that it’s the best chicken ever. It’s moist, tender, and falls apart easily—perfectly delicious!”
Baked Teriyaki Chicken Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- One tablespoon cornstarch
- One tablespoon of cold water
- One minced garlic clove
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Baked Teriyaki Chicken Directions
Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2:
Combine sugar, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, cornstarch, cold water, garlic, ginger, and pepper in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently and simmer until the sauce thickens and bubbles, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Step 3:
Arrange the chicken thighs in the prepared baking dish. Coat both sides of each chicken thigh with the thickened teriyaki sauce, reserving extra sauce for basting.
Step 4:
Bake the chicken for 30 minutes.
Step 5:
Turn the chicken, apply more sauce, and continue baking. Baste the chicken with the remaining sauce every 10 minutes, cooking for 20 to 30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the juices run clear.
Step 6:
Serve hot and enjoy!
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mins | 55 mins | 1 hr 5 mins | 6 |
In conclusion, Baked Teriyaki Chicken is a versatile and delicious dish that combines the rich, savory flavors of homemade teriyaki sauce with tender chicken thighs. The dish’s simplicity makes it ideal for busy weeknights, while its vibrant, sticky glaze makes it an impressive choice for family dinners or special occasions. Combining soy sauce, cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sugar creates a well-balanced sauce that perfectly coats the chicken, locking in moisture and flavor as it bakes. Regular basting ensures the chicken remains juicy and flavorful, with a slight caramelization from the sauce for that signature teriyaki glaze.
This recipe is simple to prepare using common ingredients and offers plenty of versatility. You can adjust the sauce to your taste or double the recipe for larger gatherings. This dish will surely be a staple in your home, offering great taste and convenience. Whether served over Rice or alongside vegetables, Baked Teriyaki Chicken is a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love, making it a go-to recipe for any occasion.
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