Teriyaki chicken is bathed in a sticky flavorful teriyaki sauce and grilled to perfection! An easy recipe even the picky eaters will devour!
We may earn a small commission for purchases made through links in this post. Read our disclosure policy here.
This Grilled Teriyaki Chicken is super popular in my house and on a weekly rotation. This sauce is sticky, sweet, and tangy, and the chicken is tender and juicy and perfect for grilling like my Grilled Teriyaki Steak or Teriyaki Steak Kebabs. If you'd rather bake try my Oven Baked Teriyaki Chicken Wings.
Why this recipe works
Teriyaki chicken is a classic grilled recipe that everybody loves. Making it at home is super easy and will quickly become your new favorite! Letting the chicken marinate for as long as possible will ensure a delicious depth of flavor.
Ingredients for this recipe
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken: you can purchase them already deboned or you can make your own boneless skinless chicken thighs. Thin boneless breasts will also work.
- Soy sauce: You can use regular soy sauce or low-sodium soy sauce.
- Brown sugar: Both light brown sugar or dark brown sugar will work.
- Corn starch: Thickens the reserved teriyaki sauce.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger adds the best flavor.
- Green onions or sesame seeds for garnish
How to make this recipe
- Step 1: In a small bowl add soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, water, garlic and ginger.
- Step 2: Place chicken thighs in a large ziplock bag or container pour half of the mixture over the chicken and let marinate for at least 4-24 hours.
- Step 3: Pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan and whisk in the cornstarch and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5-10 minutes until thickened.
- Step 4: Heat an outdoor grill on medium-high heat, and grill until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 164 degrees.
- Step 5: Remove to a platter and let rest 10 minutes before serving. Serve with extra sauce.
Recipe Tips
- The longer the teriyaki chicken marinade together the more flavor it will have. I typically shoot for 24 hours.
- If you don't have an outdoor grill you can use a smokeless indoor grill like this one.
- I recommend using a digital meat thermometer to know when the chicken has reached the correct doneness.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick!
Recipe FAQ's
Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup soy sauce low sodium
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 4-5 large cloves garlic finely minced
- 3 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 green onions
- sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, water, garlic and ginger. Pour half of the mixture over chicken and let marinade for at least 2 hours preferable over night.
- Meanwhile place the remaining marinade in a small pot and place over medium heat. Add the cornstarch and mix until dissolved. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Heat a grill or cast iron pan over high heat and cook 6-7 minutes on each side to get a nice sear. Brush the teriyaki sauce on. Cook for another 3-4 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.
- Let chicken rest 10 minutes. Serve with rice and top with green onions and sesame seeds
It smells amazing . Recipe sure to keep
Yeah that is a glitch with Pinterest not sure why they state my recipe is gluten free. But there are a few soy sauce brands that are gluten free. Here is a link to a few that you can look for https://www.verywellfit.com/which-soy-sauce-brands-are-gluten-free-562836 Hope this helps Linda. And this recipe will be perfect for your dads Luau birthday 🙂
This looks really good. I have a question: You have that it's gluten free but it contains soy sauce. I have 2 nieces that cannot have gluten (I'm planning on making this for my dad's 97th Luau birthday party) and I was told soy sauce is a no no for them so did you use a gluten free soy sauce? I just don't want to make them sick. One niece chooses to be gluten free but my other niece gets violently ill and would kind of prefer not to make her sick if I don't have to...lol Thank you.....
Let me know what you think Pete 🙂
delicious. will make and serve for company
Yayyyyy! You're very welcome! I'm so happy your family loved it 🙂 Thank you for sharing that with me and the great rating.
My family absolutely loved this recipe. I can’t believe I already had these ingredients in my pantry. Thank you for the recipe! Definitely making this again this week.
Oh Yay Jane I'm so glad you loved it. Thank you for taking the time to come back and share that 🙂
Excellent recipe.... making it again in less than a week. Using breast this time
We eat a lot of chicken in our house and this Grilled Teriyaki Chicken was really, really good! The left overs are just as good the second time around. 🙂