Baked Teriyaki Chicken

Baked Teriyaki Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish featuring chicken pieces marinated and baked in a flavorful teriyaki sauce. This dish is popular for its sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavors, which come from the combination of soy sauce, sugar, ginger, and garlic in the teriyaki sauce. The baking process ensures the chicken is juicy and tender while allowing the sauce to thicken and caramelize.

Key Components:

1. Chicken: You can use various cuts like thighs, breasts, or drumsticks, depending on your preference.

2. Teriyaki Sauce: A traditional Japanese sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic, and sometimes sake or mirin. It can be homemade or store-bought.

Benefits:

• Easy to Prepare: Minimal prep time and simple ingredients make this a great weeknight dinner option.

• Flavorful: The teriyaki sauce provides a rich and complex flavor profile.

• Versatile: Can be paired with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)

• 1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)

• 1/2 cup water

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons water (for cornstarch slurry)

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

• 2 green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Prepare Teriyaki Sauce:

   • In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, 1/2 cup water, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and rice vinegar.

   • Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

3. Thicken the Sauce:

   • In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry.

   • Once the sauce is simmering, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry.

   • Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens (about 2-3 minutes).

   • Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

4. Marinate Chicken:

   • Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish.

   • Pour about half of the teriyaki sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated.

   • Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. For best results, cover and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.

5. Bake the Chicken:

   • Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

   • Remove the foil, spoon some of the remaining teriyaki sauce over the chicken, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

6. Serve:

   • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing.

   • Drizzle the remaining teriyaki sauce over the chicken.

   • Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve the baked teriyaki chicken over steamed white or brown rice.

• Add a side of steamed vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas.

• For extra flavor, you can also sprinkle additional sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top.