Simple Baked Teriyaki Chicken with Rice

Name: Simply Baked Teriyaki Chicken Breast with Rice and Steamed Veggies
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 4 medium chicken breasts, (sliced in half); 1 tsp sesame seeds; 1 Tbsp cornstarch; 1 Tbsp cold water; ½ cup soy sauce; ½ cup sugar; ¼ cup apple cider vinegar; 1-2 cloves garlic; 1 tsp ground ginger; ½ tsp black pepper

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This Simply Baked Teriyaki Chicken Breast is tender, flavorful, and baked to perfection. Pair it with steamed veggies and rice for an out-of-this-world meal that your whole family will love. This is one of the best easy dinner recipes for busy weeknights.

A bowl of sliced teriyaki chicken with broccoli and rice, and chopsticks on the side.

Think Teriyaki Chicken is a take-out-only indulgence? Think again. You can get deliciously moist and flavorful teriyaki chicken right at home – without all the mystery ingredients and save some money along the way.

Teriyaki Chicken is, a Japanese cooking technique in which food is broiled or glazed with a teriyaki sauce and cooked to perfection. This easy recipe made of chicken and a quick teriyaki sauce has got it all. It’s a little salty, a bit sweet, and perfectly spiced with garlic, ginger, and black pepper.

Nothing is boring about this homemade dish. It’s the easiest way to get this takeout dish on your table in minutes.

The best part of the Teriyaki Chicken Bowl is the delicious teriyaki sauce which is bursting with Asian flavors. Instead of buying pre-made teriyaki sauce, you can now make your own. You can enjoy this as a main dish with any steamed vegetables of your choice for a filling and healthy meal.

This recipe is oh-so-easy; you would never have guessed how quickly it comes together. If it’s your first time making it these step-by-step instructions will make this a breeze.

Why you’ll love this recipe

This perfect recipe is healthy, hearty, filling, and easy to prepare.
This easy recipe uses simple ingredients that are already available in the home or easy to get from the grocery store.
The savory flavors of the easy homemade teriyaki sauce soak into the tender chicken creating an amazing dish.
It’s a delicious meal with the perfect balance of sweet, and savory that will become a family favorite in no time.
The dish doesn’t take a lot of time to prepare.
Making your own teriyaki sauce is cost-effective and a great way to create your favorite take-out dish at home.
It’s the perfect family-friendly meal for a busy weeknight dinner.
Makes a minimal mess for easy clean-up.
You can have this versatile dish with white rice or noodles and veggies. The chicken can be baked or you can make sheet pan teriyaki chicken.

Key Ingredients to Make the Baked Teriyaki Chicken RecipeKey Ingredients

Teriyaki chicken recipe ingredients- soy sauce, cornstarch, chicken breasts, sesame seeds, black pepper, water, garlic, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and ginger.

Chicken breasts: It’s easy to use and the perfect lean protein to cook with teriyaki flavors.

Seasoning: Black pepper for taste and flavor.

Sesame seeds: They make the perfect topping. They are a great visual addition to a beautiful presentation.

Rice: Use long-grain white rice like Jasmine rice, brown rice, or another rice of your choice to serve.

Fresh Vegetables: Prepare steamed broccoli, green beans, or red bell pepper for the vibrant pop of color or any baked veggies of your choice.

Key Ingredients for the Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Cornstarch: Used as a thickener in the sauce.

Cold Water: Mix it with cornstarch and soy sauce to make a cornstarch slurry that will thicken the sauce.

Soy sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce which has the soy flavor but not the overpowering salt.

Brown sugar: Adds a sweet element to the sauce.

Apple cider vinegar: Enhances the flavor and texture of the sauce. It can be replaced with rice wine vinegar.

Garlic: Fresh garlic imparts fragrance and the best flavor to the sauce.

Fresh ginger: Essential in creating the perfect flavor combination of sauce.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to make Baked Teriyaki Chicken

Step 1: Prepare

Preheat your oven to 425 F.

Step 2: Begin the sauce

In a small saucepan, combine cornstarch, water, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Add sugar, garlic, ground ginger, and black pepper.

Ingredients for teriyaki sauce added to a saucepan.

Step 3: Cook the sauce

Whisk until all the ingredients are well blended. Cook on low heat, stirring often, until the sauce bubbles and thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.

Cooking teriyaki sauce in a pot on the stovetop.

Step 4: Prepare the chicken

Wash and dry the chicken breasts. Pat dry with paper towels. If they are large, cut them in half.

Steps 5: Flatten the chicken

Place pieces of raw chicken between plastic wrap and flatten each piece by using a flat side of a meat tenderizer.

Raw chicken on parchment paper with plastic wrap on top.

Step 6: Brush with sauce

Place the chicken breasts on a greased baking dish. Brush the chicken with the sauce, then turn over and brush the other side. Use half of the sauce.

Step 7: Bake the chicken

Place chicken in the preheated oven and bake at 425 F for 15 – 20 minutes. Then take the dish out, flip the chicken over with a fork, and bake for another 15-20 minutes. Brush with sauce every 5-10 minutes while baking. This will create a beautiful glaze on the top of the chicken.

Teriyaki chicken in a baking dish ready to bake.

Step 8: Slice and garnish

Before serving, slice each chicken breast and sprinkle it with toasted sesame seeds.

Step 9: Assemble, serve and enjoy

Add the cooked rice to the bottom of your bowl, then the steamed vegetables next to the rice, and the teriyaki chicken on top of the rice. Top the chicken with a drizzle of extra sauce. Enjoy this simple and healthy dish with your entire family!

Sliced teriyaki chicken on a bed of rice, with broccoli on the side.

Expert Tips

Flatten your chicken to reduce the baking time, take in more marinade, and ensure that the flavors seep in, all the way through.
To create a beautiful finish, keep the chicken moist and add more flavor, take out your baking sheet halfway to flip your chicken. Brush the chicken with the sauce every 5-10 minutes. Otherwise, you may be left with dry chicken. Trust me, nobody likes dry chicken.
For a spicy kick add red pepper flakes to the sticky homemade teriyaki sauce.
Bake the chicken in a single layer so it cooks evenly.
Add a touch of sesame oil to the marinade for an extra delicious depth of sesame flavor.
You can use rice vinegar (not seasoned) to replace the apple cider vinegar. It’s made from fermented rice and used in Asian-style cuisine like this dish.
Instead of garnishing with sesame seeds, use finely chopped fresh green onions to add some extra flavor.
Don’t bake and forget. Let me elaborate: this is not one of those dishes you pop into the oven, set a timer out, and you’re done. There are a few extra steps here but they’re certainly worth it.
If you’re adding sesame seeds, toast them first. Sesame seeds add a great touch. Toasting them takes it all to the next level.

How to Store leftover chicken teriyaki recipe

Store cooled leftover teriyaki chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The sauce itself can be stored in a jar in the fridge for up to 3-4 weeks.
To freeze place the chicken, rice, and veggies in separate freezer-safe containers, or in Ziploc bags for up to 1-3 months. The rice dries out and changes texture after a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, reheat the chicken in the oven, and microwave the rice and veggies.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs for this recipe?

Yes, you can. When using boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut off the fat before marinating. Cook the same as chicken breasts, brushing with marinade every 5-10 minutes. Cook the juicy chicken thighs longer if needed.

Can I serve teriyaki chicken with frozen vegetables?

While fresh vegetables are best, frozen vegetables are easier and faster to prepare if you’re short on time. Roast or steam them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to bring out the earthy flavors.

What can l serve with the Teriyaki Chicken Casserole?

Serve this teriyaki chicken with steamed veggies and rice. Make brown rice or white rice in a rice cooker for a quick and easy cooking process. Instead of rice, you can also use quinoa, or cauliflower rice as a low-carb option.
On the side, use any veggies of your choice such as broccoli florets, snap peas, snow peas, or roasted radishes. This chicken teriyaki recipe pairs well with bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus. Roast them in the oven for the tastiest flavors!

Two bowls of sliced teriyaki chicken over a bed of rice with broccoli and chopsticks on the side.

Chicken is a great source of protein. Here are some more delicious recipes you can make:

This recipe is the Best Way to Make Chicken in a Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Make this a quick meal that’s delicious and creamy!
This Braised Chicken with Potato is great to make when you have many tasks to complete. Complete an easy meal that just simmers on the stove!
The delicious and healthy Chicken with Mushrooms in Tomato Sauce is an easy recipe and a super simple dinner meal.
Try this Chicken and Bell Peppers Rice Bowl with Spices, a healthy and simple recipe, perfect for busy school days and weeknight dinners.

More chicken recipes

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