Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
202 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Asian-American Fusion
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
Description
This recipe covers preparing a teriyaki marinade by dissolving cornstarch in soy sauce and combining it with brown and white sugar, mirin, fresh garlic and grated ginger, and black pepper. Boneless skinless chicken thighs are pounded to an even thickness and pierced with a fork to help the marinade penetrate. They marinate overnight refrigerated to develop flavor.
Once marinated, the chicken is grilled over a well-preheated and oiled grill until cooked through, which caramelizes the sugars into a glaze with slightly crisp edges while keeping the meat tender. The flavors are a meld of salty soy, sweet sugars, mild garlic, and the subtle fruitiness from mirin. The finished chicken pairs well with jasmine or brown rice and can be garnished with scallions and sesame seeds for extra texture and flavor.
Using chicken thighs helps ensure juicy results since they contain more fat than breasts. Mirin contributes sweetness and complexity; it is not the same as rice vinegar. Marinating overnight maximizes flavor absorption and tenderization.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 TB cornstarch
- 1 ½ cups soy sauce or gluten-free Tamari sauce, regular
- 1 ½ cups white sugar
- ¾ cups brown sugar
- ¾ cups mirin Japanese sweet rice wine; not rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 TB ginger freshly grated
- 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- scallions optional garnish, thinly sliced scallions, toasted sesame seeds
- sesame seeds optional garnish, thinly sliced scallions, toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine cornstarch with soy sauce. Thoroughly dissolve the cornstarch, whisking until any bits of white cornstarch no longer visible.
- Add both sugars, mirin, garlic, ginger, and pepper to the soy sauce mixture. Whisk sauce until ingredients are well combined. Set aside.
- Thoroughly dry chicken thighs with paper towels, and trim. Working one at a time, place each piece on a cutting board and top chicken with cling wrap. chicken evenly to about 1/2 in. thick.
- Remove cling wrap. Using a fork, poke holes all over chicken pieces; this allows marinade to soak in.
- In a large bowl, pour in just enough marinade to completely submerge chicken; reserve unused sauce. Cover and let sit in fridge overnight, turning chicken pieces over once while marinading. Pour unused marinade in an airtight container and keep chilled.
- One hour before cooking, remove chicken from fridge. Generously grease and preheat outdoor grill (or indoor cast iron grill) until oil is smoking hot. Remove chicken from marinade, discarding used marinade.
- Grill chicken on medium-high heat until just-cooked. If using outdoor grill baste generously and frequently; less frequently for indoor grill. Cook approximately 5 minutes per side (actual cook time varies depending on heat of your grill.)
- While chicken is cooking, pour desired amount of remaining, unused/clean sauce in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring 1 minute until slightly thickened. If desired, add a bit more sugar to taste. Set aside.
- Slice cooked chicken into strips. Drizzle with teriyaki sauce and garnish with chopped scallions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.
Notes
- Mirin is Japanese sweet rice wine and can be found in Asian markets or grocery Asian aisles.
- Chicken thighs tend to be more tender and flavorful; breasts can be used but may dry out.
- Serve grilled teriyaki chicken with jasmine rice, brown rice, or Hawaiian macaroni salad.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 202 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 202kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 25.6g | 9% |
| Protein | 16.4g | 33% |
| Fat | 3.2g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.8g | 4% |
| Cholesterol | 70mg | 23% |
| Sodium | 692.4mg | 29% |
| Fiber | 0.2g | 1% |
| Sugar | 21.9g | 44% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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