The Recipe · No.960 · Teriyaki Chicken

Teriyaki Chicken, and where to source it

Teriyaki Chicken — Worth The Hunt WORTH THE HUNT Teriyaki Chicken Japanese 5best2buy.com

Teriyaki is a technique, not a bottle: reduce equal parts soy, mirin, and sake in the pan until it glazes the chicken. The sugar comes mostly from the mirin, and reducing it in the rendered chicken fat is what makes it cling and shine.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep10 min
Cook20 min
Makesserves 4
CuisineJapanese
Cost$$
Dairy-free
Contains  gluten · soy
Make it gluten-free: swap in tamari instead of soy sauce (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Chicken thighs
Boneless skin-on; the skin crisps and the fat carries the glaze.
2 lb
Source it →
Soy sauce
Japanese soy such as Kikkoman; the savory backbone.
1/4 cup
Source it →
Mirin
Sweet rice wine; this is the real sugar and shine of teriyaki.
1/4 cup
Source it →
Sake
Cooking sake adds depth and helps the sauce reduce clean.
1/4 cup
Local / market
Sugar
A spoonful to push the glaze glossy; adjust to taste.
1 tbsp
Local / market
Ginger
A little grated ginger lifts the sauce; optional but classic.
1 tsp
Source it →
Steamed rice
Short-grain Japanese rice to catch the extra glaze.
to serve
Local / market
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Stovetop
The Method
  1. Mix the sauceStir together soy, mirin, sake, sugar, and grated ginger.
  2. Sear skin downLay thighs skin-side down in a cold pan, turn on medium, and render until the skin is deep golden and crisp.
  3. Flip and cook throughTurn the thighs and cook until just done, then pour off excess fat.
  4. Glaze in the panAdd the sauce and let it bubble and reduce, spooning it over until it thickens to a shiny glaze.
  5. Slice and serveRest briefly, slice, and serve over rice with the pan glaze poured over.
The Toolkit

Nonstick skillet · Fine grater · Rice cooker

Straight Answers
Can you make Teriyaki Chicken in an air fryer? — Sometimes

Sometimes — if the pieces are small and cooked dry, an air fryer can handle it in a single layer; anything saucy or liquid needs a pan. When in doubt, the stovetop or oven is the safe call.

Can you freeze Teriyaki Chicken? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Teriyaki Chicken ahead of time? — Partly

The components hold — prep the parts ahead and finish it close to serving for the best texture.

Is Teriyaki Chicken gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in tamari instead of soy sauce (check the other labels too).

Is Teriyaki Chicken vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

More Japanese recipes
Udon Noodle SoupJapanese Chicken Curry RiceChicken Teriyaki BowlSpicy Tuna RollCalifornia RollChicken Katsu Curry
All Japanese recipes →  ·  Browse all 1039 →

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy · Worth The Hunt · Recipe No.960