Seattle-Style Chicken Teriyaki
Ingredients
- 1 clow-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cgranulated sugar
- 2 tbspmirin
- 1 tbspminced garlic
- 1 tbspminced ginger
- 1 tbsplemon juice
- 3 lbchicken breasts or boneless skinless thighs
- 2 tbspvegetable oil or butter
- 1 tbspcornstarch
- 1 tbspsesame seeds
for garnish
Directions
- 1
In a bowl combine soy sauce, sugar, mirin, garlic, ginger, and lemon juice.
- 2
Place chicken in the marinade, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour (it can be marinated in an airtight zip top bag for 24 hours).
- 3
Once marinated, set a large skillet on a medium-low heat and heat up the oil (or melt the butter).
- 4
Cook chicken for 5 to 6 minutes on one side and another 5 minutes on the other side.
- 5
Remove from the pan and set on a cutting board and slice into strip-like pieces.
- 6
Whisk cornstarch into the remaining marinade and pour into the same pan you used to cook the chicken.
- 7
Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer, cook until the sauce reduces and thickens, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add in the sliced chicken, tossing to coat or pour on top of chicken before serving.
- 8
Serve over rice and garnish with sesame seeds if desired. Serve and enjoy.
Seattle-Style Chicken Teriyaki
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Based on 17 ratings
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About this Recipe
Craving that signature sticky, sweet, and savory chicken teriyaki from your favorite Seattle-style spot? This recipe brings the authentic, craveable flavors right into your kitchen, delivering a restaurant-quality experience without the takeout price.
What truly elevates this chicken teriyaki is the meticulously balanced homemade glaze, crafted from simple pantry staples. By building the sauce from scratch with low-sodium soy sauce, granulated sugar, mirin, fresh minced garlic, ginger, and a bright touch of lemon juice, you achieve a depth and complexity unmatched by store-bought alternatives. This careful combination ensures a perfectly glossy, sweet, and savory coating that adheres beautifully to the tender chicken.
Prepare for succulent pieces of chicken, whether you choose breasts or thighs, enveloped in a rich, sticky sweet glaze. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of umami from the soy, a pleasant sweetness from the sugar, and the aromatic warmth of fresh ginger and garlic. The mirin adds another layer of subtle sweetness and depth, while a hint of lemon juice brightens the entire profile, preventing it from being overly rich. This dish is designed to be deeply satisfying and full of authentic, comforting flavor. The glaze achieves a beautiful sheen and luxurious texture, making it an instant crowd-pleaser that evokes the best of Seattle's iconic teriyaki.
This versatile chicken teriyaki recipe is easily adaptable to your preferences. You can confidently swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless thighs for an even juicier and more forgiving result. For a different flavor profile, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle warmth. While sesame seeds are a classic garnish, a sprinkle of fresh chopped scallions or even a dash of toasted sesame oil at the end can enhance its appeal.
This Seattle-style chicken teriyaki is ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner or as the star of a casual weekend meal. It pairs wonderfully with steamed white or brown rice, which eagerly soaks up the luscious glaze. Complement the rich flavors with a fresh green salad or some simply steamed vegetables for a balanced and complete plate.