Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Recipe For Tender Juicy Perfection

Succulent grilled teriyaki chicken promises a delightful journey through rich, smoky flavors that dance across your palate.

Japanese-inspired marinades transform simple proteins into extraordinary dining experiences that spark excitement at any gathering.

Backyard barbecues and summer cookouts find their perfect centerpiece with this crowd-pleasing recipe that effortlessly impresses friends and family.

Balanced sweet and savory notes create a harmonious blend guaranteed to satisfy diverse taste preferences.

Tender meat infused with complex umami characteristics delivers a memorable meal that transcends ordinary grilled chicken preparations.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate how straightforward techniques can produce restaurant-worthy results with minimal effort.

What Makes Grilled Teriyaki Chicken a Go-To Favorite

• Beginner-Friendly Flavor Bomb: Mastering this teriyaki chicken is easier than ordering takeout, and your dinner guests will think you’re a culinary pro.
• Meal Prep Champion: Marinating overnight means zero morning stress and a delicious dinner that practically prepares itself while you’re doing other things.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for backyard barbecues, weeknight dinners, or when feeding a hungry family who craves something more exciting than plain chicken.
• Sauce That Steals the Show: The homemade teriyaki sauce is so simple to create, you’ll never want store-bought sauce again, delivering restaurant-quality taste right from your kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need For Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (8): Absorb all those amazing teriyaki flavors and create tender, delicious bites for your meal.
• Low Sodium Soy Sauce (1 cup), Rice Wine Vinegar (1/4 cup), Water (1/2 cup): Your liquid base that brings deep, rich umami flavor to the entire dish.
• Brown Sugar (1 cup): Adds perfect sweetness and helps create that glossy teriyaki glaze your chicken will love.
• Garlic Cloves (4-5 large, finely minced), Fresh Ginger (3 teaspoons, grated): Powerful aromatics that deliver incredible depth and authentic Asian-inspired taste.

• Cornstarch (2 tablespoons): Helps transform your sauce from liquid to a gorgeous, clingy glaze that will coat the chicken beautifully.
• Green Onions (3, sliced): Bright, fresh topping that adds color and a mild onion kick.
• Sesame Seeds (optional): Crunchy, nutty garnish that brings a classic teriyaki restaurant finish to your plate.

Basic Cooking Tools for Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together your marinade ingredients and creating that delicious teriyaki sauce.
• Whisk: Essential for blending soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and spices into a smooth mixture.
• Zip-Top Bag or Marinating Container: Great for soaking your chicken thighs and letting those flavors penetrate deeply.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Precise measurements ensure your teriyaki sauce tastes just right every time.
• Small Saucepan (1-2 quart): Needed for simmering and thickening your sauce with cornstarch.
• Cast Iron Grill Pan or Outdoor Grill (12-inch): Delivers those beautiful sear marks and smoky flavor on your chicken.
• Tongs: Helps you safely flip and move chicken while grilling without piercing the meat.
• Basting Brush: Perfect for spreading that glossy teriyaki sauce over your grilled chicken.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for slicing green onions and checking chicken doneness.

How to Make Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

Key Cooking Notes For Teriyaki Grilled Chicken

• Let your chicken soak in the teriyaki sauce overnight for maximum flavor that penetrates deep into the meat.
• Start with high heat to get beautiful grill marks, then reduce to medium to ensure chicken cooks evenly without burning.
• Thicken your marinade separately so you can brush a rich, glossy coating onto the chicken during the final cooking minutes.
• Always let your grilled chicken rest for 10 minutes after cooking to keep the meat tender and juicy, allowing those delicious juices to redistribute.
• Sprinkle fresh green onions and sesame seeds on top to add a bright, crunchy finish that makes your teriyaki chicken look as good as it tastes.

Flavor Variations for Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

• No-Soy Teriyaki: Swap soy sauce with coconut aminos to make the recipe gluten-free and lower in sodium, which works perfectly when you need a soy alternative.
• Slow Cooker Swap: Transform grilled chicken into a hands-off meal by placing marinated chicken in a slow cooker on low for 6-7 hours, letting the chicken become tender without watching the grill.
• Vegetarian Version: Replace chicken thighs with extra-firm tofu or tempeh, pressing out moisture first and cutting into thick slices before marinating and grilling for a plant-based protein option.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Skip the rice and serve your teriyaki chicken over cauliflower rice or with a side of roasted vegetables to keep carbohydrates minimal while maintaining incredible flavor.

Best Ways To Plate Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

• Perfectly Portion Servings: Plan for about two chicken thighs per person, which makes a satisfying meal with steamed rice.
• Sidekick Rice Recommendation: Serve your grilled teriyaki chicken over jasmine or short-grain white rice to soak up that delicious sauce.
• Fresh Veggie Companion: Pair the chicken with quick-pickled cucumber slices or a crisp asian-style slaw to balance the rich teriyaki flavors.
• Drink Pairing Suggestion: Grab a cold Japanese beer like Sapporo or a light, slightly sweet white wine such as Riesling to complement the chicken’s sweet and savory profile.

Smart Storage Tips For Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

• Seal the extra marinade sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. The sauce stays fresh and ready for another round of chicken.
• Leftover grilled chicken keeps perfectly in the refrigerator when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in a sealed container for 3-4 days.
• Freeze cooked chicken portions in freezer bags with a small amount of sauce to preserve moisture. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator for quick future meals.
• Always store raw and cooked chicken separately to prevent cross-contamination. Clean your cutting board and utensils thoroughly between uses.

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Common Questions

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 22-26 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken brings Japanese-inspired flavors right to your backyard grill, giving your dinner a quick and delicious twist that makes weeknight meals feel special. Marinated chicken pieces get perfectly charred and glazed with a sweet-savory sauce that keeps everyone coming back for more.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs

Sauce Base:

• 1 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup rice wine vinegar

Aromatics and Thickeners:

• 4–5 large garlic cloves
• 3 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Garnish:

• 3 green onions
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Combine 1 cup soy sauce, 1 cup brown sugar, ¼ cup rice wine vinegar, ½ cup water, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 3 teaspoons grated ginger in a small bowl. Whisk thoroughly until sugar dissolves.
2. Transfer half the marinade into a zip-top bag. Add 8 chicken thighs and seal. Refrigerate for minimum 2 hours, ideally overnight.
3. Pour remaining marinade into a small saucepan. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cornstarch and stir until completely dissolved.
4. Heat the sauce at medium temperature, bringing to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
5. Heat grill or cast iron pan to high heat (450°F). Ensure cooking surface is extremely hot before adding chicken.
6. Remove chicken from marinade and place on hot grill. Cook 6-7 minutes per side, creating nice dark sear marks.
7. Generously brush thickened teriyaki sauce over each chicken piece. Continue grilling 3-4 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
8. Allow chicken to rest 10 minutes after cooking. This helps retain juices and ensures tender meat.
9. Plate over rice and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds as final touch.

Notes

• Marinate the chicken for maximum flavor by letting it sit in the sauce overnight, which allows the meat to absorb all the delicious teriyaki seasonings.
• Watch the grill carefully to prevent burning, as the sugar in the marinade can caramelize quickly and create charred spots.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to keep the same rich umami taste.
• The cornstarch in the sauce helps create a glossy, thick coating that clings perfectly to the grilled chicken, giving it that classic teriyaki shine.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 22-26 minutes
• Category: Chicken
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 443
• Sugar: 35 g
• Sodium: 1300 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 33 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg