Chicken Teriyaki is a classic Japanese dish featuring chicken glazed in a sweet and savory sauce. It’s easy to make at home, so give this recipe a try!

Ingredients (for 2 servings)

• 2 boneless and skinless chicken thighs (about 300g)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• For the sauce:
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
  • 2 tablespoons sake (Japanese rice wine)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• Japanese mustard (karashi), for serving
• White sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

1. Trim excess fat from the chicken and cut into bite-sized pieces. Poke the skin with a fork in several places.
2. Coat the chicken with cornstarch.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken skin-side down until golden brown. Flip and cook for 3 minutes over low heat.
4. Pour in the sauce ingredients and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.

Tips

• Searing the chicken skin-side down creates a crispy texture.
• Watch the sauce carefully to prevent burning as it thickens.
• Japanese mustard and white sesame seeds are optional garnishes.

Variations

• Substitute chicken breasts for a leaner option.
• Add vegetables like scallions or bell peppers to the dish.
• Serve chicken teriyaki over rice in a bowl for a hearty donburi (rice bowl) meal.

Health and beauty benefits

Teriyaki chicken offers numerous health and beauty benefits. First, chicken is high in protein and low in fat, which helps maintain muscle and manage weight. Additionally, chicken is rich in B vitamins, which promote energy metabolism and aid in recovery from fatigue. The teriyaki sauce, made with ingredients like soy sauce and mirin, contains components with antioxidant properties. This helps prevent cellular aging and can contribute to healthier skin. Depending on the cooking method, it’s possible to keep the calorie count low, making it a recommended option for a healthy diet.