It’s Sunday evening, just before 8 PM. That familiar craving hits—the one for something savory, a little sweet, and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of craving that usually has you reaching for a takeout menu. But what if I told you that you could make something infinitely more delicious than your go-to delivery, in less time than it would take for it to arrive?
Say hello to your new weeknight hero: this unbelievably easy Asian-Inspired Teriyaki Chicken Dinner Recipe. We’re ditching the overly sweet, gloopy bottled sauces and creating a vibrant, glossy, and perfectly balanced teriyaki glaze from scratch using simple pantry staples. It’s that addictive savory-sweet flavor you love, made right in your own kitchen.
In this recipe, tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken and crisp broccoli florets get tossed in this incredible homemade sauce until everything is lacquered in a beautiful glaze. We’re talking maximum flavor for minimal effort. This is the meal that will save you on busy nights and satisfy those takeout cravings for good.
Unlock Better-Than-Takeout Flavor at Home
The word „Teriyaki“ itself refers to a method of cooking in Japanese cuisine—grilling or broiling with a glaze of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. My version is „Asian-Inspired,“ meaning we’re capturing that irresistible sweet and savory spirit using ingredients that are readily available in most supermarkets here in Germany. The magic of a great homemade teriyaki sauce is its balance. You don’t need a long list of specialty ingredients, just the right ratio of salty, sweet, and aromatic. This recipe nails it.
Why This Will Be Your New Weeknight Go-To:
- Faster Than Delivery: From start to finish, this entire meal is on the table in about 20 minutes. It’s the ultimate quick fix.
- Simple, Accessible Ingredients: No need for a special trip to an Asian market. We’re using staples like soy sauce (
Sojasauce), honey, garlic, and ginger. - That Irresistible Glossy Glaze: I’ll show you the simple cornstarch slurry trick that creates the perfect, clingy, glossy sauce that coats every single bite.
- A Complete, Healthyish Meal: With lean protein, vibrant green broccoli, and served over fluffy rice, it’s a balanced dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients & Equipment
For the Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli:
- Chicken Thighs: 680g (1.5 lbs) boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Thighs are recommended for their flavor and moisture.
- Broccoli: 1 large head, cut into small florets.
- Avocado or Vegetable Oil: 1 tablespoon.
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced.
- Ginger: 1 tablespoon, freshly grated.
- For Garnish: Toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
For the Homemade Teriyaki Sauce:
- Soy Sauce (Sojasauce): 120 ml (½ cup), low-sodium.
- Honey (Honig): 60 ml (¼ cup). You can also use maple syrup.
- Rice Vinegar (Reisessig): 2 tablespoons.
- Sesame Oil: 1 teaspoon.
- Cornstarch (Speisestärke): 1 tablespoon.
- Cold Water: 2 tablespoons.
Helpful Equipment:
- A large skillet or wok
- A small bowl or measuring cup for the sauce
Time Estimates
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 20-25 minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions
This recipe comes together in a flash, so have your ingredients prepped and ready to go!
Step 1: Cook the Broccoli Heat your large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and 2-3 tablespoons of water. Cover and let the broccoli steam for 3-4 minutes, until it’s bright green and tender-crisp. Immediately transfer the broccoli to a plate to stop it from overcooking. Wipe the skillet dry.
Step 2: Whisk the Sauce In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. In a separate tiny bowl, stir the cornstarch and cold water together until smooth to make a slurry. Set both aside.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken Add the vegetable oil to the now-empty skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Step 4: Add Aromatics Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet with the chicken. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until everything is wonderfully fragrant.
Step 5: Sauce and Thicken Pour the soy sauce mixture into the skillet and bring it to a simmer. Let it bubble for about 1 minute. Now, give your cornstarch slurry a quick re-stir and pour it into the pan. Continue to stir for 1-2 minutes as the sauce instantly thickens and becomes beautifully glossy.
Step 6: Combine and Serve Turn off the heat. Add the cooked broccoli back into the skillet. Toss everything together until the chicken and broccoli are evenly coated in that gorgeous teriyaki glaze.
Step 7: Garnish and Enjoy Serve immediately over fluffy steamed rice, garnished with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Notes, Tips, & Variations
- The Secret to a Smooth Sauce: Always mix your cornstarch with cold water to form a slurry before adding it to the hot sauce. This prevents lumps and ensures a perfectly smooth, glossy glaze.
- Protein Swaps: This sauce is amazing with other proteins! Try it with thinly sliced beef sirloin, shrimp, or crispy pan-fried tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to bulk this up with other quick-cooking vegetables. Sliced bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, or edamame are all excellent additions. Add them with the broccoli.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish is a classic served over steamed jasmine or basmati rice. It’s also delicious with noodles or quinoa.
- Storage: Leftovers are fantastic for lunch the next day! Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Easy 20-Minute Asian-Inspired Teriyaki Chicken Dinner Recipe
Ingredients
- 680 g 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, in bite-sized pieces
- 1 large head of broccoli in florets
- 1 tbsp avocado or vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
- For the Sauce:
- 120 ml ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 60 ml ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water
- For Garnish: Toasted sesame seeds sliced green onions
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and 2-3 tbsp water, cover, and steam for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove broccoli from skillet and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry.
- Add oil to the skillet. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Stir in garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the pan and bring to a simmer.
- Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and stir for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Turn off the heat, add the cooked broccoli back to the pan, and toss everything to coat.
- Serve immediately over rice, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
- Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to the hot sauce to avoid lumps.
- Works well with beef, shrimp, or tofu. Add other veggies like bell peppers or snap peas.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs? Absolutely. Chicken breasts work well too. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and cook as directed. Since breast meat is leaner, be careful not to overcook it to keep it juicy and tender.
2. How do I make this recipe gluten-free? It’s very easy! Simply substitute the regular soy sauce with gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. All the other ingredients are typically gluten-free, but always double-check your labels.
3. My sauce got too thick/lumpy. What did I do wrong? This can happen for two reasons. To prevent lumps, make sure your cornstarch is fully dissolved in cold water before adding it to the hot skillet. If the sauce gets too thick, you can always thin it out by stirring in a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
4. What other vegetables can I add to this stir fry? This recipe is a great base for cleaning out the vegetable drawer! Thinly sliced carrots, red or yellow bell peppers, snap peas, edamame, or mushrooms would all be delicious. Add heartier vegetables like carrots with the broccoli and quicker-cooking ones like bell peppers a minute or two later.
Made This Recipe?
I truly hope this quick and easy Teriyaki Chicken becomes a new favorite in your dinner rotation. It’s proof that a delicious, satisfying meal doesn’t have to be complicated. If you try it, I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and a star rating below. And dont forget to try out my One-Pot Italian Chicken Dinner Recipe.