When I am in the mood for a Japanese-inspired meal, I always make a batch of this teriyaki chicken marinade. Made with pantry staples soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and a few other key ingredients, this marinade has a wonderful sweet and savory flavor. It’s simple to throw together and it gives my chicken a wow flavor!
I love ordering chicken teriyaki takeout, but this chicken teriyaki marinade has changed the game for me. I slathered a bit of this on some juicy chicken breasts and chucked them on the grill, and oh, my goodness! They were so good! I cooked down the leftover marinade into a sauce that I’ll be slathering on everything for the foreseeable future.
What’s in This Chicken Teriyaki Marinade Recipe?
- Soy Sauce: Adds saltiness and umami flavor. Use low-sodium for a less salty marinade, or use tamari or coconut aminos if you are gluten-free.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a molasses sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds sweetness and a hint of spice.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Adds nutty flavor.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a balancing acidity to the marinade that helps tenderize the meat.
- Honey: Enhances the sweet profile of the marinade.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a savory and earthy flavor.
- Ground Ginger: Adds a warm and spicy aroma.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the leftover marinade into a sauce that you can serve with your chicken.
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How to Store and Reheat
I recommend discarding any leftover teriyaki chicken marinade immediately if you’re not planning to turn it into a serving sauce, since it will have been contaminated with raw chicken juices.
Any leftover cooked sauce will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, though, and the cooked chicken will keep for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
Notes and Tips
- Let your chicken marinate for more than an hour if you have the extra time. You can even let it marinate overnight to soak in all the juices.
- Add 1 tablespoon sriracha to the marinade to spice things up!
- Cook your chicken on the grill if you want to get that smokey flavor with each bite.
Top Reader Review
“This recipe is the best teriyaki chicken I have ever eaten!!” -Aaron B Cayton
Chicken Teriyaki Marinade Recipe
When you are in the mood for a Japanese-inspired meal, you need to try this sweet and savory teriyaki chicken marinade, plus instructions for making teriyaki chicken on the grill!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 14 minutes
Total Time
: 1 hour 19 minutes
Marinate: 1 hour
Servings: 4 people
Instructions
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Place chicken in a Ziploc bag or container.
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
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In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients (except for the water and cornstarch).
½ cup soy sauce, ⅓ cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup sweet chili sauce, ¼ cup toasted sesame seed oil, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ground ginger
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Reserve ½ cup of the marinade mixture and set aside.
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Pour remaining marinade over prepared chicken breasts.
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Seal bag or cover container and refrigerate for 1 hour to marinate.
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Preheat grill to 375℉ then brush grill grates.
Oil for the grill
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Grill marinated chicken breasts 7 minutes on each side, or until internal temperature reaches 165℉.
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While chicken is grilling, combine water and cornstarch in a sauce pan over medium low heat, then add the reserved marinade. Simmer until it begins to thicken.
¼ cup water, 2 teaspoons cornstarch
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Brush thickened sauce over chicken as it finishes grilling.
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Enjoy!
Notes
- To make this on the stovetop: In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Place marinated chicken breasts in the hot pan then cook for 3 minutes. Turn the chicken breasts, reduce the temperature to medium, and cover. Cook an additional 5 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Add reserved marinade and cook until it begins to thicken.
Storage: Store teriyaki chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days, or freeze for 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Teriyaki Marinade Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 411
Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 72mg24%
Sodium 1918mg83%
Potassium 533mg15%
Carbohydrates 38g13%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 35g39%
Protein 27g54%
Vitamin A 34IU1%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 30mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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