Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry
Teriyaki chicken is a go-to for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful without the fuss. This easy homemade version balances sweet and savory perfectly, giving you tender, juicy chicken coated in a sticky, irresistible sauce. It’s a family-friendly meal that pairs beautifully with rice and veggies in just 30 minutes.
If there was a gateway stir-fry recipe, teriyaki chicken is it.
It’s one of the early stir-fries I served my young kids and it’s got major kid-appeal. The sauce is a bit sweeter than some of my other stir-fry recipes, which can certainly help when you’re introducing new foods and flavors.
And if you’re past the point of introducing new foods (though, are we ever really? I hope not!), it’s a family-fave with basic, but big, flavor and quick prep for the person cooking!
🍗 Seriously delicious: The chicken is tender and is coated with a sticky, flavor-packed teriyaki glaze.
🛒 Made with simple ingredients: The sauce is made up of staples like soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, etc. and then fresh chicken and a veggie.
🥗 Balanced meal: This meal provides protein, carbs (energy), veggies, and flavor! All important factors in a satisfying meal.
🔥 Quick cooking: This meal is ready in 30 minutes, it’s a great weeknight dinner.
🍴 Family-approved: Sweet and savory flavors everyone loves, even picky selective eaters.
🥕 Customizable: Switch up the veggie side or how you serve it!
If you are as stir-fry obsessed as we are, be sure to try my moo shu shrimp, ground turkey stir-fry, ground beef and broccoli, steak stir-fry, or veggie noodles next time.
Ingredient Notes
You’ll need some fresh ingredients and pantry staples to bring this easy dinner to the table: soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, mirin, honey, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, oil, chicken, rice, and any desired garnishes.
Emily’s Tips & Tricks
- Pro tip: Trim excess fat off the chicken thighs, but don’t feel like you need to remove it all! It will add great flavor to the stir-fry.
- Shortcuts: Some stores and butcher counters will sell a “stir-fry” cut of chicken, which will help you save a few minutes. The cutting doesn’t take long though, so don’t be intimidated by it.
- Feeding kids without pressure: I would recommend serving a small portion of chicken in a pinch bowl (taster bowl) if it’s a new or learning-to-like it food. Serve the meal with a few items you know your kids will eat, like fruit, milk, and bread with butter if they don’t do rice.
- Variations: Use your favorite rice for serving alongside the simple chicken teriyaki stir fry. White rice, brown rice, fried rice, cauliflower rice, or even with noodles. You can also use microwavable or frozen rice for a shortcut.
Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
Make teriyaki chicken at home with this quick and easy recipe. Sweet and savory, it’s ready in 30 minutes and perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
For the teriyaki sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp. mirin (or rice vinegar)
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp. minced ginger (1/4 tsp. dried)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For the chicken stir fry:
- 16 oz. chicken thighs (skinless, boneless)
- rice for serving
- veggie side
- toasted sesame seeds and green onion (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Cook rice according to package instructions. Prep veggie side dish.
- Cut chicken into ~1” pieces. You can do this with a sharp knife or sturdy kitchen shears.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, corn starch, mirin, honey, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add chicken to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 4 minutes, undisturbed. Flip over, and cook another 2-3 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and has reached an internal temperature of 170-175 degrees F.
- Pour teriyaki sauce over chicken and cook another minute or so, until sauce is thick and glossy. (Depending on how hot and how large your pan is, this can happen very quickly, so watch closely.)
- Serve teriyaki chicken over rice with a veggie side and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onion if desired.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat leftovers in a microwave or hot skillet, just until heated through.
- Ingredient notes: I prefer thighs as they are more flavorful and have more fat, which helps in cooking, but you could also use boneless skinless chicken breasts if you prefer. Be sure to add a little oil to the pan before cooking. Mirin is a seasoned sweet rice wine. You can also use rice vinegar, but add a little bit more honey or brown sugar to balance out the sweetness.
- Prep ahead: You can mix up the teriyaki sauce up to a day in advance.
- Special tools: The rice maker is one of my favorite kitchen appliances, and if you have stir-fry (and beans and rice!) as much as we do, you’ll want one.
- Serve with: Rice and a green veggie like French green beans, air fryer broccoli, bok choy stir-fry, or any other veggie.
- Nutrition: Nutrition facts are an estimate and do not include rice or vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
All this chicken needs is a carb and a veggie! I typically serve over rice, but you can also do noodles or double veggies. Virtually any vegetable will work, so go with a favorite. Here are a few ideas:
- Rice: Use your favorite white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice
- Noodles: Use an Asian noodle like udon, ramen, or soba
- Stir-fried bok choy
- Haricot verts
- Sautéed or roasted cauliflower
- Sautéed cabbage
- Snow peas or snap peas
- Air fryer broccoli
- Frozen broccoli (Roasted, sautéed, air fryer, or steamed)
About the Author
Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer, nutrition expert, and founder of My Everyday Table. She specializes in creating easy, healthy recipes that help busy parents feed their families well every single day, without the stress. With a degree in Nutrition and over 20 years of experience, Emily shares family-friendly meals that are practical, nourishing, and full of flavor. Learn more about Emily’s approach to everyday cooking and nutrition here.
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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