Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe (+ Homemade Sauce!)

Easy Teriyaki Chicken is a simple, one pan dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Sweet garlic chicken is coated with an easy teriyaki sauce and tastes even better than the takeout kind!
A white bowl with easy teriyaki chicken, white rice, and broccoli.

Whether it’s a weeknight or lazy Sunday meal, I want something that’s delicious, yet simple to prepare. And I think you feel the same way, am I right?

And when I’m making a chicken recipe, it’s got to be loaded with flavor, simple to prepare, and perfect for leftovers, too. Which is why this teriyaki chicken recipe is a winner all around!

You’ve probably has chicken teriyaki from your favorite takeout place, but this homemade version is just as good, if not better! It’s ready in just 20 minutes and has the most delicious teriyaki sauce.

Now, my secret (or not-so secret) trick for making this easy chicken teriyaki recipe is using Perdue Harvestland Diced Chicken Breasts. Their boneless skinless chicken breasts are diced into bite-sized chunks and are easy to thaw and ready to cook with. And the chicken pieces are packaged in four 8-ounce pouches, which come vacuum sealed and frozen.

EASY TERIYAKI CHICKEN INGREDIENTS
This simple teriyaki chicken recipe uses a homemade teriyaki sauce, which takes just minutes to whip up! Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy teriyaki chicken:

Olive oil
Perdue Harvestland Organic Diced Chicken Breasts
Garlic powder
Salt and pepper
Low-sodium soy sauce
Water
Light brown sugar
Rice vinegar
Ground ginger
Cornstarch
HOW TO MAKE TERIYAKI CHICKEN
Did I mention this teriyaki chicken is a breeze to whip up? Because it is, and so flavorful, too!

To start, you’ll want to season the diced chicken breasts with some salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil or vegetable oil and then brown the chicken on both sides until cooked through, which will take about 3-4 minutes per side.
As the chicken is cooking, whisk together the homemade teriyaki sauce.
Add the sauce to the skillet with the cooked chicken and let it heat until warmed and thickened.
A white bowl with homemade teriyaki chicken, white rice, and broccoli.

HOW TO REHEAT TERIYAKI CHICKEN
If you wind up with leftovers, I recommend reheating this easy teriyaki chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat. Microwaving chicken often makes it rubbery.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE MADE IN ADVANCE?
Yes! You can prepare the full recipe and refrigerate leftovers for up to four days.

Or, you can prepare just the teriyaki sauce and use it throughout the week on chicken, salmon, shrimp, and more. Just note that the teriyaki sauce thickens significantly once heated on the stove so you may need to add some water to loosen it up if you prep it in advance.

WHAT DOES TERIYAKI SAUCE TASTE LIKE?
It’s almost like a sweet and sour sauce, with a bit of tang. The combination of soy sauce and brown sugar gives it a sweeter taste that pairs perfectly with chicken.

IS CHICKEN TERIYAKI JAPANESE?
Teriyaki refers to a cooking method in Japanese. Teri means ‘luster’ from the soy sauce marinade and yaki means ‘cooking or grilling.’ The basic teriyaki sauce is made from soy sauce, sake, mirin (a form of rice vinegar), and sugar.

A white bowl with chicken coated in homemade teriyaki sauce and a side of broccoli.
TIPS FOR THE BEST TERIYAKI CHICKEN
I used two 8-ounce pouches of Perdue Harvestland Organic Diced Chicken Breasts for this recipe. It’s the perfect amount for four servings. However, if you don’t have this available, about three medium chicken breasts, diced, will work.
If you prefer your homemade teriyaki chicken on the saucier side, I recommend doubling the sauce recipe below.
I imagine you could make this recipe with boneless skinless chicken thighs as well, although I typically make it with breasts.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN TERIYAKI
This quick and easy teriyaki chicken pairs nicely with steamed vegetables, rice, and more! Here are some teriyaki chicken sides you can try:

White rice or fried rice! The teriyaki sauce will coat the rice perfectly so that you can soak up all of that deliciousness. Nothing beat the flavor of teriyaki chicken and rice!
Steamed broccoli! It’s a delicious vegetable to complement the chicken.
Noodles! Soba noodles seasoned with a little soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine vinegar would be delicious.
Asian slaw! Make it yourself or buy a bag at the grocery store.
Sautéed green beans! Cook them in a little sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat just until crisp tender.
So, the next time you’re in the mood for some chicken, skip the takeout and whip up this easy teriyaki chicken! Made with simple ingredients and ready in no time, it’s guaranteed to be a dinnertime favorite!

Easy Teriyaki Chicken
Easy Teriyaki Chicken is a simple, one pan dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Sweet garlic chicken is coated with an easy teriyaki sauce and tastes even better than the takeout kind!

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil)
2 8-ounce pouches Perdue Harvestland Organic Diced Chicken Breasts, thawed (or 3 medium chicken breasts, diced)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce:
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup water
1/5 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons cornstarch
White rice and steamed broccoli for serving , if desired
Instructions
Season chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet, add olive oil and brown chicken on both sides until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side.
As chicken is cooking, prepare sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic powder, ginger, and cornstarch.
Add sauce to skillet with cooked chicken and cook over low heat until thickened, about 2-3 minutes, tossing to coat.
Serve chicken over white rice with steam broccoli, if desired.
Notes
If you like extra sauce, you may want to double ingredients.
See my tips and tricks for making this Easy Teriyaki Chicken above recipe box.