Chicken Teriyaki Don

Japanese-Marinated Chicken on top of rice.

Chicken Teriyaki Don is a satisfying meal that’s ideal for busy weeknights or when you’re craving something quick and delicious. This dish features tender, juicy pieces of boneless chicken thighs cooked to perfection, often with a slightly crispy edge, thanks to pan-searing—a technique that gives it that irresistible crispy teriyaki chicken texture. The chicken is coated in a rich, savory-sweet sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sake, mirin, and honey, creating a harmony of bold flavors. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a homemade, healthy alternative to takeout. Serve this teriyaki chicken and rice bowl with fluffy white rice and steamed vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or carrots for a complete and balanced meal. With minimal ingredients and simple steps, this dish is not only budget-friendly but also guaranteed to delight the entire family!

Chicken Teriyaki Don Ingredients

  • 2 Boneless skin on Chicken Thighs
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Ingredients for the Teriyaki Sauce

  • 2 Tablespoons Soy sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons Mirin
  • 2 Tablespoons Sake or Chinese cooking wine
  • ½ Tablespoon Brown Sugar
  • ½ Tablespoon Honey (if you don’t have honey at home, just substitute ½ Tablespoon Brown Sugar and ½ Tablespoon Honey to 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar)
  • 1 Tablespoon Ginger, grated
  • 2 Garlic cloves, minced

How to Make Chicken Teriyaki Don

  1. Start by adding all ingredients for the marinate into a bowl. Mix them well. Reserve.
  2. Add the oil to a medium-high heat pan. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken with the skin down. Hold the chicken down with a spoon for 20 seconds. Continue pan-frying the chicken for about 4 minutes.
  3. Turn the chicken and pan-fry it on the other side for about 3 minutes.
  4. Remove the chicken from the pan and reserve.
  5. In the same pan, on medium-high heat, pour in the teriyaki sauce and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for about 1 minute.
  6. Add the chicken back to the pan and coat the chicken with the sauce. Let the chicken cook together with the sauce for about 4-5 minutes on medium heat.
  7. Serve it on top of steamed rice. Enjoy this delicious meal.

What to Serve with Chicken Teriyaki?

There are plenty of delicious options to create a well-rounded meal. Steamed white rice is a classic choice, as it absorbs the savory-sweet teriyaki sauce beautifully. Add some stir-fried or steamed vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, carrots, or bell peppers to bring vibrant colors and crunch to the plate. A side of Japanese-inspired cucumber salad (sunomono) or miso soup can complement the dish with refreshing and umami flavors. If you want to go the extra mile, pair it with a simple seaweed salad or edamame for a touch of authenticity. With these sides, your Chicken Teriyaki will become a balanced, satisfying, and flavorful meal!


Other Japanese Recipes

Chicken Teriyaki Don

Japanese-Marinated Chicken, Grilled to Perfection!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Japanese
Keyword: chicken teriyaki
Servings: 2 people

Ingredients

  • 2 Boneless skin on Chicken Thighs
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Ingredients for the Teriyaki Sauce

  • 2 Tablespoons Soy sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons Mirin
  • 2 Tablespoons Sake or Chinese cooking wine
  • ½ Tablespoon Brown Sugar
  • ½ Tablespoon Honey (if you don't have honey at home, just substitute ½ Tablespoon Brown Sugar and ½ Tablespoon Honey to 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar)
  • 1 Tablespoon Ginger, grated
  • 2 Garlic cloves, minced

Instructions

  • Start by adding all ingredients for the marinate into a bowl. Mix them well. Reserve.
  • Add the oil to a medium-high heat pan. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken with the skin down. Hold the chicken down with a spoon for 20 seconds. Continue pan-frying the chicken for about 4 minutes.
    Turn the chicken and pan-fry it on the other side for about 3 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken from the pan and reserve.
  • In the same pan, on medium-high heat, pour in the teriyaki sauce and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for about 1 minute.
  • Add the chicken back to the pan and coat the chicken with the sauce. Let the chicken cook together with the sauce for about 4-5 minutes on medium heat.
  • Serve it on top of steamed rice. Enjoy this delicious meal.