Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
A classic Japanese-inspired dish featuring tender chicken thighs pan-seared to golden perfection, then glazed with a sweet-savory sauce that caramelizes beautifully. Served over fluffy steamed rice for a satisfying meal.
Story
This teriyaki chicken comes together quickly with a simple pan-frying technique. The key is getting a nice golden sear on the chicken before adding the sauce—the sugars in the glaze will caramelize and create that signature sticky coating.
Ingredients
2 boneless chicken thighs
about 300g
soy sauce
3 tablespoons
sugar
2 tablespoons
honey
2 tablespoons
dry white wine
2 tablespoons
cooking sake or mirin
1 tablespoon
chicken broth or dashi
1 teaspoon
water
3-4 tablespoons
vegetable oil
for cooking
salt and pepper
to taste
steamed rice
2 bowls
Instructions
1
Prepare the chicken
Remove any bones from the chicken thighs if needed. Lightly score the meat in a crosshatch pattern—this helps the seasoning penetrate and promotes even cooking. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
2
Mix the teriyaki glaze
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, sugar, honey, white wine, sake, and chicken broth. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then add water to thin the mixture to your desired consistency.
3
Sear the chicken
Heat a splash of oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook without moving for 4-5 minutes until the skin turns deep golden brown. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until just cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
4
Glaze and finish
Pour the teriyaki sauce into the same pan (no need to clean it—the browned bits add flavor). Let it bubble over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes syrupy. Return the chicken to the pan, turning to coat each piece in the glossy sauce. Cook another minute until the chicken is nicely glazed.
5
Serve
Slice the glazed chicken into strips. Spoon steamed rice into bowls, top with the teriyaki chicken, and drizzle any remaining pan sauce over everything. Garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions if desired.
