Japanese grilled teriyaki chicken recipe is one of the most popular recipes in Japan. And it’s easy to see why: teriyaki chicken is a sweet and savory dish that tastes even better when grilled outdoors on one of those perfect summer evenings.
But don’t let that stop you from enjoying this recipe on any occasion! It’s also perfect for wintertime, too – just set up your grill indoors, and watch as your family and friends can’t get enough of this delicious dish.
What is the Japanese grilled teriyaki chicken recipe?
The Japanese grilled teriyaki chicken recipe is an essential dish that can be prepared with various types of meat, and no matter what style you choose, there are only a few step-by-step cooking steps to follow.
Most of the preparation for this recipe involves making homemade teriyaki sauce, which is mixed with the meat before grilling. The sauce can be made with various ingredients, but the most basic version uses one-part mirin, two parts soy sauce, and one part sake.
How To Long Will It Take To Prepare?
- Prepare time: 10 minutes
- Marinate time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 4
How to make a Japanese grilled teriyaki chicken recipe?
Ingredients:
For Marinade:
- 4 Chicken thigh meat (skin on)
- Two tablespoons mirin
- Two tablespoons of Soy sauce
- Two tablespoons of Japanese sake
- 2 tsp of brown sugar
- Two tablespoons Honey
Directions:
Step 1:
Mix the mirin, soy sauce, sake, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Mix well to dissolve the sugar.
Step 2:
Put the chicken pieces into a large Ziplock bag. Pour the marinade mixture onto the chicken and seal the bag. Let it sit for 20 minutes in a cool place.
Step 3:
Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the meat directly on the grill. Grill each side for about 5 minutes, no more than 10 minutes per side, or until done.
Step 4:
While the chicken grins, place the remaining marinated mixture in a pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook for a few minutes. This will give you more sauce to serve with your chicken.
Step 5:
When the chicken is cooking, please remove it from the grill, cut it into small pieces and serve. You can also help the leftover sauce on the side as a dipping sauce.
Additional Tips:
- Using a small saucepan, you can make the sauce when you marinate the meat. Mix all ingredients in the pan, including leftover chicken marinade. Bring to a boil and cook for a few minutes. The finish will be more liquid than making the sauce from scratch.
- If you want extra spicy flavors, add a dash or two of chili pepper to your homemade teriyaki sauce.
- You can also use chicken tenders as opposed to thighs. It will be even faster to prepare.
- If you want, you can add other veggies to the dish. Try red onions or bell peppers.
- If you don’t have sake, you can also use dry sherry or Chinese rice wine in place of sake.
- If you want, you can use a meat thermometer to determine the temperature of your chicken for doneness.
Precautions For Recipes:
- During the summertime, chicken pieces should be grilled at medium heat instead of high heat. High heat will dry out the meat.
- Chicken pieces must be marinated for 20 minutes to get the best results for recipes like this, then left to sit for about 15 minutes at room temperature before grilling.
- Avoid using a grill with direct flame, as it can burn food quickly. Use only the hot spots on a charcoal grill and move your food often to avoid charring it.
- Use tongs to turn the meat and a brush to baste with sauce so you don’t pierce or tear the meat surface with a fork or other utensil, which can cause juice loss and dry out the meat.
- Don’t place a lid or cover on the grill while you’re grilling. The oil and smoke can build up under the top and cause a fire.
Nutrition Facts of Japanese grilled teriyaki chicken recipe:
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 409 kcal |
| Total Fat | 2g |
| Saturated Fat | 1g |
| Cholesterol | 45mg |
| Sodium | 650mg |
| Carbohydrates | 23g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 6g |
| Protein | 46g |
7 health benefits of Japanese grilled teriyaki chicken recipe-
- Chicken breasts are good for health as it is rich in protein and low in fat.
- Especially chicken thighs are pretty helpful for weight loss as they are filled with water and have fewer calories.
- The sauce of recipes like this gives us a lot of dietary fiber, if only you choose a healthier sauce with less sugar.
- Also, the sauce made from sake and mirin is an excellent source of iron that helps ensure healthy blood production, particularly during pregnancy.
- Since soy sauce has anti-inflammatory properties, it can reduce episodes of pain and swelling.
- Chicken thighs are also suitable for bone health as they are high in calcium and phosphorus and low in calories.
- It is also a source of B vitamins and vitamin A, which assist learning and memory.
Can I use teriyaki sauce instead of marinade?
You can use teriyaki sauce instead of the marinade if you want. However, the results will be different. When using teriyaki sauce, it is recommended that you adjust the seasonings to suit your taste with more mirin, as it will enhance the natural teriyaki flavors.
What is the best meat for this recipe?
Chicken breasts and thighs are the most popular cuts of meat for recipes like this one. Use boneless chicken thighs if you prefer the heart to be more tender. You can also use breast meat, but you will have to be more patient as it takes longer to cook.
Can I use lemon juice instead of vinegar in the recipe?
This recipe calls for the use of soy sauce and sake. Some people ask if they can substitute these ingredients with lemon juice instead.
The chicken will not be flavorful, so you should avoid using lemon juice in recipes like this. You can try adding a touch of salt and flour to balance the taste.
How do I keep the chicken from sticking?
It would help if you used a non-stick pan for this recipe, allowing your grilled chicken to release quickly from the pan when it is done grilling. You can also use a silicone mat or parchment paper to prevent the meat from sticking to the pan.
Can I make this recipe with my oven instead of a grill?
You can use a grill or oven for cooking the chicken. Preheat your grill to a medium temperature. Use a covered grill for about 15 minutes, depending on your range.
If you have an electric skillet, preheat it to 400 degrees, then place it onto your stovetop burner. The skillet will heat faster than your oven and also be able to retain heat, allowing you to cook the chicken quicker than an oven would.
What is the difference between teriyaki sauce and teriyaki marinade?
Teriyaki sauce is a sticky, sweet, and tangy sauce used to enhance the flavor of foods and marinate meats. You can use it as an ingredient in recipes or as a simple dipping sauce. The Japanese grilled teriyaki chicken recipe above just uses a teriyaki sauce mixture in the cooking process.
Teriyaki marinade is a less seasoned, thinner sauce used as a glaze in grilling and barbecuing on the grill, typically using soy sauce as its main ingredient.
Which soy sauce is best for teriyaki?
You can use a regular soy sauce for your recipe, but it is better to research and choose a more high-quality and tasty soy sauce, such as Kikkoman.
Kikkoman uses a traditional brewing process that guarantees the best taste. It also has an added ingredient called “umami,” which is used to enhance the flavor of your recipe and add a wealth of antioxidants and health benefits.
Which vegetables would you recommend to go with this teriyaki sauce recipe?
Some vegetables you can use are grilled sweet potato, grilled bell peppers, grilled mushrooms, and grilled mushrooms. Try to stick to your food preference as long as it is healthy and nutritious.
Can I use the grilling rack in this recipe instead of the grill?
Some grills will have a tray that you can use to set the chicken on instead of using a rack. The advantage is that you do not need to worry about placing the pan directly onto the heat source when cooking on a grill.
How do you grill chicken breast without drying it out?
The first thing you need to do when grilling is to not use the highest heat setting on your grill as it will dry out the meat instead of cooking it. Next, you need to make sure that your heart is butterflies.
For example, using a pound of breast meat, cut it in half horizontally to make two 4-ounce portions, which can hold in heat and moisture without drying out when placed side by side.
How to store Japanese grilled teriyaki chicken recipes?
You can store the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just warm it up and serve it with your favorite vegetables. It would help if you stored your teriyaki sauce in a cool and dry location away from direct sunlight for up to 2 months.
How To Reheat Japanese grilled teriyaki chicken recipe?
You can reheat the chicken in a microwave until it is warm or warm it up in a saucepan covered with a lid. You don’t want to expose the dish to too much heat, or you will spoil the flavors and texture of the chicken.
Conclusion
A healthy dish that you can add to your everyday routine, teriyaki chicken is a simple but delicious meal. If you want to experiment with different flavors, you can choose from many different sauces and ingredients that this recipe uses.
Whether you are craving more flavors or wondering how you can spice up your meals, this teriyaki chicken recipe can give you a chance to try new recipes and enjoy a simple meal that is healthy as well.