Chicken thighs in teriyaki sauce

Chicken thighs in teriyaki sauce is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that pairs well with rice or vegetables. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 4-6 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless (or bone-in if preferred)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Teriyaki Sauce:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup mirin (or substitute with a sweet white wine or a mix of white wine and a bit of sugar)
• 1/4 cup sake (or substitute with white wine)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated or minced
• 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (for thickening)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, honey (if using), garlic, and ginger. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sugar is dissolved.

2. Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch mixture and continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Cook the Chicken:

   • For Boneless Thighs: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and golden brown.
   • For Bone-In Thighs: The cooking time will be longer—about 8-10 minutes per side. You might need to cover the skillet to help cook the chicken through.

4. Add the Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked through, reduce the heat to medium. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the chicken and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken as it heats.

5. Serve: Remove the chicken from the skillet and slice it if desired. Serve over steamed rice or alongside vegetables, drizzling extra teriyaki sauce over the top. Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions if you like.

This dish is delicious with a side of steamed broccoli, snap peas, or a simple salad. Enjoy your meal!