How to cook a beautiful Teriyaki chicken.

How to cook a beautiful Teriyaki chicken. is a medium Japanese recipe that serves 2. 550 calories per serving. Recipe by Kyodokan ~Japanese culture to the world~ on YouTube.

Prep: 17 min | Cook: 23 min | Total: 50 min

Cost: $4.68 total, $2.34 per serving

Ingredients

  • 30 g Sake (Japanese rice wine, use a dry style)
  • 30 g Mirin (Sweet rice wine, adds gloss and sweetness)
  • 35 g Soy Sauce (Japanese light soy sauce (e.g., Kikkoman))
  • 15 g Granulated Sugar (White sugar, dissolves into the sauce)
  • 2 pieces Chicken Thighs, Skin‑On, Bone‑In (About 200‑250 g each; skin kept for crispness)

Instructions

  1. Make the Teriyaki Sauce

    Weigh 30 g sake, 30 g mirin, 35 g soy sauce, and 15 g sugar into a small bowl and stir until the sugar fully dissolves.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Prepare the Chicken

    Trim excess skin and fat from the thighs. If you see any holes in the skin, cut them out. Slice the thickest part of the meat to create an even thickness for uniform cooking.

    Time: PT10M

  3. Pre‑heat the Pan

    Place the frying pan over medium‑high heat. When a drop of water sizzles immediately, the pan is ready.

    Time: PT2M

  4. Crisp the Skin Side

    Lay the chicken thighs skin‑side down in the pan. Place a small plate on top and press gently for the first 2‑3 minutes, then remove the plate. Cook for a total of 8 minutes until the skin is golden‑brown and crisp.

    Time: PT8M

  5. Flip and Finish Cooking

    Turn the chicken over and cook the flesh side for another 8 minutes, or until the meat is nearly cooked through and the skin remains crisp.

    Time: PT8M

  6. Add the Teriyaki Sauce

    Reduce the heat to medium and pour the prepared sauce into the pan. Simmer for 2‑3 minutes, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens to a glossy, amber glaze.

    Time: PT3M

  7. Baste the Chicken

    Using a spoon or ladle, baste the chicken repeatedly with the thickened sauce for about 2 minutes, ensuring every bite is coated.

    Time: PT2M

  8. Rest and Slice

    Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest for 2 minutes. Slice the thigh with the skin side down into bite‑sized pieces (or larger wedges if preferred).

    Time: PT2M

  9. Plate and Serve

    Arrange the sliced chicken on a serving plate, drizzle any remaining sauce over the top, and serve immediately with rice or vegetables.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
550
Protein
40 g
Carbohydrates
10 g
Fat
30 g
Fiber
0 g

Dietary info: Contains soy, Contains alcohol, High protein

Allergens: Soy, Alcohol

Last updated: April 19, 2026

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How to cook a beautiful Teriyaki chicken.

Recipe by Kyodokan ~Japanese culture to the world~

A simple yet authentic Japanese teriyaki chicken recipe featuring crisp skin, a glossy sweet‑savory sauce made with sake, mirin, soy sauce, and sugar, and easy step‑by‑step tips from the YouTube channel Kyodokan ~Japanese culture to the world~.

MediumJapaneseServes 2

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
11m
Prep
31m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
52m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$4.68
Total cost
$2.34
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Make the Teriyaki Sauce (Step 1)
  • Crisp the Skin Side with pressure (Step 4)
  • Add and thicken the sauce correctly (Step 6)

Safety Warnings

  • Handle raw chicken with clean hands and sanitize all surfaces to avoid cross‑contamination.
  • The pan and sauce will be very hot; use oven mitts when pressing the chicken.
  • Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Teriyaki Chicken in Japanese cuisine?

A

Teriyaki originated in the Kansai region of Japan during the Edo period, where foods were glazed with a sweet soy‑based sauce and then grilled. Chicken teriyaki became popular after World War II as a quick, flavorful home‑cooked dish that showcases the classic balance of salty, sweet, and umami.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of teriyaki sauce in Japan?

A

In the Kansai region the sauce is lighter, using more mirin and less soy sauce, while in the Kanto region it is richer and darker with a higher soy‑to‑mirin ratio. Some regions add ginger or sake for extra aroma, but the core ingredients remain sake, mirin, soy sauce, and sugar.

cultural
Q

How is Teriyaki Chicken traditionally served in Japan?

A

It is usually served over steamed rice with a side of pickled vegetables (tsukemono) and a small bowl of miso soup. The chicken is sliced into bite‑sized pieces so it can be eaten with chopsticks, and the glossy sauce is drizzled over the top just before serving.

cultural
Q

During which occasions or celebrations is Teriyaki Chicken commonly enjoyed in Japanese culture?

A

Teriyaki chicken is a staple for everyday family meals, but it also appears at casual gatherings such as picnics, bento boxes for school, and as part of a larger izakaya‑style spread during festivals and holiday parties.

cultural
Q

What other Japanese dishes pair well with Teriyaki Chicken?

A

It pairs nicely with steamed rice, miso soup, Japanese cucumber salad (sunomono), and a side of sautéed greens such as spinach with sesame (goma‑ae). A light pickled radish (takuan) adds a refreshing contrast.

cultural
Q

What makes Teriyaki Chicken special or unique in Japanese cuisine?

A

The combination of a caramelized, sweet‑savory glaze and a crisp, rendered skin creates a textural contrast that is highly prized in Japanese cooking. The balance of umami from soy sauce, acidity from sake, and sweetness from mirin and sugar embodies the Japanese principle of harmony (wa).

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Teriyaki Chicken at home?

A

Common errors include adding the sauce too early (which prevents the skin from crisping), using a cold pan, and overcooking the chicken which makes it dry. Also, not pressing the skin can cause uneven browning.

technical
Q

Why does this Teriyaki Chicken recipe press the chicken with a small plate instead of simply laying it flat?

A

Pressing forces the skin to make full contact with the hot pan, releasing fat evenly and creating a uniformly crisp surface. Without pressure, the skin can curl and cook unevenly, resulting in soggy patches.

technical
Q

Can I make Teriyaki Chicken ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes. Cook the chicken fully, let it cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet and add a splash of fresh sauce to revive the glaze.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the Teriyaki sauce is done?

A

The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, glossy, and amber‑colored. It should cling to the chicken without pooling, indicating that the sugar has caramelized properly.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Kyodokan ~Japanese culture to the world~ specialize in?

A

Kyodokan ~Japanese culture to the world~ focuses on sharing authentic Japanese food, cultural insights, and cooking techniques, presenting traditional recipes with clear, step‑by‑step video tutorials for home cooks worldwide.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Kyodokan ~Japanese culture to the world~'s approach to Japanese cooking differ from other Japanese cooking channels?

A

Kyodokan emphasizes cultural context alongside cooking, often explaining the history and regional nuances of each dish, while maintaining a calm, detailed visual style that prioritizes technique clarity over flashy production.

channel

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