Quick Teriyaki Chicken and Fried Rice Recipe: A Tasty Home Win!

Weeknight dinners just got a delicious upgrade with this mouthwatering teriyaki chicken and fried rice recipe that combines bold Asian-inspired flavors.

Tender chicken glistens with a perfectly balanced teriyaki glaze, promising a meal that’s both satisfying and quick to prepare.

The sizzling combination of juicy protein and fragrant rice creates a harmony of textures and tastes that dance on your palate.

Each bite delivers a rich blend of savory and slightly sweet notes that will transport you straight to a cozy restaurant in Tokyo.

Crisp vegetables nestled among golden-brown rice grains add depth and nutrition to this crowd-pleasing dish.

Simple ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques make this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

Dive into this irresistible meal that’s sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 585 kcal

Servings: 3

All Ingredients For Easy Teriyaki Chicken And Fried Rice

• Soy Sauce: Delivers deep, umami flavor and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create a glossy sauce coating.
• Brown Sugar: Provides rich caramel undertones and helps sauce caramelize.
• Rice Vinegar: Balances flavors with bright, tangy notes.
• Sesame Oil: Introduces nutty, aromatic complexity to the sauce.
• Garlic: Brings robust, pungent depth to the teriyaki flavor profile.
• Ginger: Offers warm, zesty undertones with a slight kick.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken and create a silky, glossy sauce texture.

• Chicken Thighs: Provides juicy, tender meat with rich flavor and excellent sauce absorption.

• Cooked Rice: Serves as the hearty base, best made with day-old rice for optimal texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Creates non-stick surface and helps distribute heat evenly.

• Peas, Carrots, Onion: Adds colorful nutrition, sweetness, and textural variety to the rice.

• Eggs: Introduces protein and creates soft, creamy texture throughout the fried rice.

• Green Onions: Provides fresh, sharp garnish with bright color.
• Sesame Seeds: Adds subtle nutty crunch and visual appeal.

Kitchen Tools For Easy Teriyaki Chicken And Fried Rice

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and preparing fried rice, ensuring even heat distribution.
• Small Saucepan: Perfect for whisking and simmering teriyaki sauce to achieve the right consistency.
• Wok or Large Skillet: Ideal for stir-frying vegetables and rice with great heat control.
• Whisk: Crucial for smoothly blending sauce ingredients and preventing lumps.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Helps accurately measure sauce and oil quantities.
• Spatula: Great for stirring, scrambling eggs, and mixing fried rice ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Required for slicing vegetables and preparing chicken.

Steps To Make Easy Teriyaki Chicken And Fried Rice

• Sauce Preparation

Create a flavorful teriyaki sauce by combining soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, whisking until the ingredients blend smoothly. Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch mixture, stirring continuously until it reaches a glossy, rich consistency.

• Chicken Cooking

Sear chicken thighs in a hot skillet until they develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior and reach the perfect internal temperature. Generously coat the chicken with the prepared teriyaki sauce, allowing it to absorb the deep, sweet-savory flavors through a quick simmering process.

• Rice Foundation

Scramble eggs in a wide skillet, creating soft, fluffy clusters. Introduce colorful vegetables like peas, carrots, and onions, sautéing them until they become tender and fragrant. Fold in cooked rice, breaking up any clumps and ensuring each grain gets a delicious coating of soy sauce and sesame oil.

• Final Presentation

Combine the scrambled eggs with the vegetable-rice mixture, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Plate the golden teriyaki chicken alongside the vibrant fried rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresh green onions for a restaurant-quality finish.

Tips To Improve Easy Teriyaki Chicken And Fried Rice

• Chicken Meat Selection: Choose boneless, skinless chicken thighs for maximum tenderness and rich flavor, though chicken breasts work perfectly for a leaner option.
• Sauce Depth Enhancement: Add a splash of mirin or sake to the teriyaki sauce for deeper, more authentic Japanese flavor profile, creating a more complex taste experience.
• Rice Texture Secret: Use day-old cold rice for the fried rice to prevent mushiness and ensure each grain remains separate and perfectly crispy during cooking.
• Dietary Adaptations: For gluten-free version, replace traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, and use cornstarch certified gluten-free. Vegetarian option includes substituting chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, marinated in the same teriyaki sauce.
• Spice Level Control: Incorporate red pepper flakes or sriracha into the teriyaki sauce for those wanting extra heat, allowing each person to customize their spice preference. For mild versions, simply reduce or omit spicy elements.

Serving Easy Teriyaki Chicken And Fried Rice With Style

• Flavor Fusion Plating: Arrange the golden teriyaki chicken atop a bed of colorful fried rice, creating a visually stunning and appetizing main course that highlights both dish components.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve the chicken and rice in large shared platters, encouraging everyone to dig in together and enjoy a communal dining experience with interactive serving.
• Balanced Meal Companion: Add a light side of steamed edamame or crisp cucumber salad to complement the rich teriyaki flavors and provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty main dish.
• Gourmet Garnish Enhancement: Sprinkle extra toasted sesame seeds, finely chopped green onions, and a light drizzle of extra teriyaki sauce for added texture, color, and depth of flavor.

Storage Plan For Easy Teriyaki Chicken And Fried Rice

• Smart Storage Strategies: Keep leftover teriyaki chicken and fried rice in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for optimal freshness.
• Cooling Countdown: Allow cooked dishes to cool completely to room temperature before refrigerating, preventing moisture buildup and maintaining texture.
• Refrigerator Lifespan: Store chicken and rice separately for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum taste and food safety when reheating.
• Reheating Rescue: Warm chicken in a skillet with a splash of extra teriyaki sauce to restore moisture, and reheat fried rice in a hot wok or skillet to prevent sogginess and maintain crispy edges.

Mouthwatering Teriyaki Chicken And Fried Rice Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

This homemade easy teriyaki chicken and fried rice recipe brings Japanese culinary magic straight to home kitchens. Tender chicken glazed with savory sauce pairs perfectly with crispy rice, creating a satisfying meal that delights those who love authentic Asian-inspired dishes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• ½ cup (120 ml) soy sauce
• ¼ cup (60 ml) honey
• 3 tbsps soy sauce (for fried rice)
• 2 tbsps brown sugar
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil
• 2 tbsps rice vinegar
• 2 tbsps water (for cornstarch slurry)
• 2 tsps sesame oil
• 1 tbsp sesame oil (for fried rice)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp chopped green onions
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups cooked and cooled white rice
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• ½ cup diced onion
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Combine soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a saucepan. Whisk while adding cornstarch slurry until the mixture transforms into a glossy, rich sauce with a velvety texture.
2. Chicken Cooking: Sear chicken thighs in a lightly oiled skillet, developing a golden-brown crust and cooking until reaching 165F internal temperature. Generously enrobe the chicken with prepared teriyaki sauce, allowing it to caramelize and absorb flavors.
3. Egg Creation: Rapidly scramble whisked eggs in a heated wok with vegetable oil until perfectly cooked. Set aside on a separate plate.
4. Vegetable Sautéing: In the same wok, stir-fry peas, carrots, and onions until they become tender and release their aromatic essence.
5. Rice Integration: Fold cooked rice into the vegetable mixture, breaking down any clusters while evenly distributing soy sauce and sesame oil. Gently reincorporate scrambled eggs, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
6. Plating Finale: Artfully arrange teriyaki chicken alongside fragrant fried rice, garnishing with a delicate sprinkle of sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions for a visually stunning presentation.

Notes

• Optimize Sauce Consistency: Whisk cornstarch slurry gradually to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, glossy teriyaki sauce with perfect coating thickness.
• Control Chicken Browning: Use medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure even golden-brown exterior without burning the meat’s surface.
• Rice Texture Mastery: Use day-old cold rice to prevent clumping and achieve that signature slightly crispy, separated fried rice texture that professionals love.
• Dietary Adaptation Trick: Swap chicken thighs with tofu or tempeh for vegetarian version, and use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free alternative while maintaining authentic flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 585
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 1150 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg