Japanese Chicken Teriyaki Recipe: A Classic Sweet and Savory Japanese Delight

Chicken Teriyaki is a popular dish that has traveled from the streets of Japan to kitchens around the world. Its glossy sauce, made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, is known for its perfect balance of sweet and savory notes. While chicken teriyaki can be found in countless Japanese restaurants, making it at home allows you to enjoy the dish fresh, with your choice of ingredients, and without any added preservatives. This recipe is simple, fast, and delivers an authentic taste.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken thighs with skin

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 3 tablespoons mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)

• 2 tablespoons sake (optional)

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)

• Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce:
   In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir until the sugar dissolves. This will be your teriyaki sauce, which can also be made in larger quantities and stored for up to a week.

2. Marinate the Chicken:
   Place the chicken thighs in a bowl or a resealable plastic bag. Pour half of the sauce over the chicken and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes. The longer it marinates, the deeper the flavors, but even 30 minutes will do wonders.

3. Cook the Chicken:
   Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken skin-side down first and cook until the skin becomes golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook the other side for another 5 minutes.

4. Glaze the Chicken:
   Pour the remaining sauce into the pan and reduce the heat to low. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken, turning the chicken to coat both sides evenly. The sauce will become glossy and stick beautifully to the chicken.

5. Serve:
   Remove the chicken, slice it into strips, and drizzle any extra sauce from the pan on top. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Serve hot with steamed white rice and sautéed vegetables like bok choy or broccoli.

Serving Suggestions:

This Chicken Teriyaki pairs beautifully with plain steamed rice, Japanese pickles, or a side of miso soup. You can also serve it over a bowl of rice topped with shredded nori and a soft-boiled egg for an easy chicken teriyaki rice bowl.