Kevin’s Teriyaki Chicken: A Flavorful and Easy Weeknight Dinner

Teriyaki chicken is a beloved dish for its sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavors. It’s incredibly versatile, pairing well with rice, noodles, vegetables, and even salads. While takeout teriyaki is convenient, making it at home is surprisingly easy, healthier, and often tastier. This recipe, inspired by common methods and preferences, aims to deliver authentic teriyaki flavors with readily available ingredients. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe will guide you through creating a delicious and satisfying Kevin’s Teriyaki Chicken.

## Why This Recipe Works

* **Balanced Flavors:** The key to a great teriyaki sauce is the perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, and umami. This recipe achieves that balance with a combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, ginger, and garlic.
* **Easy to Customize:** Feel free to adjust the sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness to your liking. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or use a low-sodium soy sauce to reduce the salt content.
* **Quick and Convenient:** This recipe requires minimal prep time and cooks quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
* **Versatile:** Serve it with rice, noodles, vegetables, or in a bowl. It’s also great for meal prepping.
* **Budget-Friendly:** The ingredients are relatively inexpensive and easy to find in most grocery stores.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Chicken:** 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces)
* **Soy Sauce:** 1/2 cup (low-sodium soy sauce can be used)
* **Brown Sugar:** 1/4 cup, packed
* **Honey:** 2 tablespoons
* **Mirin (Optional):** 2 tablespoons (adds a subtle sweetness and complexity)
* **Rice Vinegar:** 1 tablespoon
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves, minced
* **Ginger:** 1 tablespoon, grated
* **Sesame Oil:** 1 teaspoon
* **Cornstarch:** 1 tablespoon
* **Water:** 2 tablespoons
* **Sesame Seeds:** 1 tablespoon, for garnish (optional)
* **Green Onions:** 2, thinly sliced, for garnish (optional)
* **Cooking Oil:** 1 tablespoon (vegetable, canola, or olive oil)

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Large skillet or wok
* Mixing bowl
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Whisk
* Cutting board
* Knife

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. If using chicken breasts, cut them into 1-inch pieces. Chicken thighs can be used as is, or cut into smaller pieces if desired. This ensures even cooking and faster cooking time.
2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This helps the chicken brown properly.

### Step 2: Make the Teriyaki Sauce

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, mirin (if using), rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Mix well until the brown sugar is dissolved.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. This will help thicken the sauce.

### Step 3: Cook the Chicken

1. Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the chicken.
2. Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches.
3. Cook the chicken for 3-5 minutes per side, or until it is browned and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
4. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

### Step 4: Simmer the Sauce

1. Pour the teriyaki sauce into the skillet. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce and whisk constantly until the sauce thickens. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes. Keep stirring to prevent lumps from forming.
3. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for another 2-3 minutes, or until it reaches your desired consistency.

### Step 5: Combine and Serve

1. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the teriyaki sauce.
2. Toss the chicken to coat it evenly with the sauce. Make sure all the pieces are well covered.
3. Simmer for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the sauce and warm through.
4. Remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, if desired.

## Tips for Perfect Teriyaki Chicken

* **Use High-Quality Soy Sauce:** The quality of your soy sauce will significantly impact the flavor of the teriyaki sauce. Opt for a good-quality soy sauce for the best results. Low sodium can be used if preferred.
* **Don’t Overcook the Chicken:** Overcooked chicken can be dry and tough. Cook the chicken until it is just cooked through and no longer pink inside.
* **Adjust the Sweetness:** If you prefer a less sweet teriyaki sauce, reduce the amount of brown sugar or honey. If you like it sweeter, add a bit more.
* **Thicken the Sauce to Your Liking:** You can adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding more or less cornstarch slurry. Start with a small amount and gradually add more until you reach your desired consistency.
* **Marinate the Chicken (Optional):** For even more flavor, marinate the chicken in the teriyaki sauce for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, in the refrigerator. This will allow the chicken to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
* **Broil for Extra Caramelization (Optional):** After simmering the chicken in the sauce, you can broil it for a minute or two to get a nice caramelized crust. Watch it carefully to prevent burning.

## Variations and Additions

* **Spicy Teriyaki Chicken:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of chili garlic sauce to the teriyaki sauce for a spicy kick.
* **Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken:** Add diced pineapple to the skillet along with the chicken for a tropical twist.
* **Vegetable Teriyaki Chicken:** Add your favorite vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, or snow peas, to the skillet along with the chicken.
* **Teriyaki Chicken Bowls:** Serve the teriyaki chicken over rice with steamed vegetables and a drizzle of sriracha mayo for a complete meal.
* **Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry:** Use the teriyaki chicken as the protein in a stir-fry with your favorite noodles and vegetables.
* **Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers:** Marinate chicken pieces and thread them onto skewers with vegetables like bell peppers and onions. Grill until cooked through, basting with teriyaki sauce during the last few minutes.
* **Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken:** Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken before serving.
* **Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken:** Marinate the chicken and then air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Brush with teriyaki sauce during the last few minutes.

## Serving Suggestions

Kevin’s Teriyaki Chicken is incredibly versatile and can be served in numerous ways. Here are a few suggestions:

* **With Rice:** Serve over a bed of steamed white rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice. This is the most classic and simple serving option.
* **With Noodles:** Toss the teriyaki chicken with your favorite noodles, such as udon, soba, or ramen.
* **With Vegetables:** Serve alongside steamed or stir-fried vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, or bok choy.
* **In a Bowl:** Create a teriyaki chicken bowl with rice, vegetables, and your favorite toppings, such as avocado, edamame, and sesame seeds.
* **In a Salad:** Add the teriyaki chicken to a salad with mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette dressing.
* **In Lettuce Wraps:** Serve the teriyaki chicken in lettuce cups with shredded carrots, cucumbers, and a drizzle of hoisin sauce.
* **As a Bento Box:** Pack the teriyaki chicken with rice, vegetables, and a side of fruit for a delicious and convenient bento box lunch.

## Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover teriyaki chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheat:** Reheat the teriyaki chicken in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.
* **Freeze:** Freeze leftover teriyaki chicken in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

## Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

* Calories: 350-450
* Protein: 30-40g
* Carbohydrates: 30-40g
* Fat: 10-20g

*Note: Nutrition information may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*

## Conclusion

Kevin’s Teriyaki Chicken is a delightful dish that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor. Its versatility makes it a great option for any night of the week. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own kitchen. Feel free to adjust the recipe to your liking and experiment with different variations and additions. Enjoy!