Spicy Chicken Teriyaki Recipe

Are you craving a delicious and flavorful meal that will tantalize your taste buds? Look no further than this Spicy Chicken Teriyaki Recipe! This dish combines the bold flavors of spicy chicken with the sweet and savory notes of teriyaki sauce, creating a mouthwatering experience that’s sure to please any palate.

Today, we’ll walk you through the steps to create this delectable dish in the comfort of your own kitchen. From marinating the chicken to perfectly grilling it to juicy perfection, we’ve got you covered. So, roll up your sleeves, get your apron on, and let’s dive into the world of homemade Spicy Chicken Teriyaki!

Ingredients of Spicy Chicken Teriyaki

To make Spicy Chicken Teriyaki, you’ll need a combination of ingredients for the marinade and the teriyaki sauce. Here’s a breakdown of the essential components:

Chicken Breast 1 Pound 

For spicy chicken teriyaki, chicken breasts are a lean, boneless cut that cooks quickly and absorbs the sauce well. While they are lower in fat compared to thighs, they remain tender when marinated and cooked properly, making them an excellent choice for a lighter dish.

Sesame Oil 1 Tablespoon

Sesame oil adds a rich, nutty flavor to spicy chicken teriyaki. It enhances the dish’s depth and complexity, balancing the sweetness of the sauce. A small amount is enough to infuse the chicken and sauce with a distinct, aromatic taste.

Jalapeno Pepper 1 

Jalapeño pepper adds a fresh, crisp heat to spicy chicken teriyaki. Its mild to moderate spiciness complements the sweetness of the teriyaki sauce, while its vibrant flavor brings a bright kick. You can adjust the amount based on your heat preference.

Minced Garlic 3 Teaspoons

garlic adds a fragrant, savory depth to spicy chicken teriyaki. It infuses the sauce with a rich, aromatic flavor that balances the sweetness and heat. Garlic’s natural pungency enhances the overall umami of the dish, making it more flavorful and robust.

Minced Fresh Ginger 2 Teaspoon

Ginger brings a warm, zesty kick to spicy chicken teriyaki. Its slightly sweet and peppery flavor adds freshness and complexity to the sauce, balancing the heat from the jalapeños and the sweetness of the teriyaki. Freshly grated ginger works best for maximum flavor.

Soy Sauce 3/4 Cup

Soy sauce is the base of teriyaki, providing a salty, umami-rich flavor that complements the sweetness of the sauce. It deepens the overall taste profile, making the dish savory and robust. For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos.

Brown Sugar 1/4 Cup 

Brown sugar adds sweetness and a slight molasses flavor to spicy chicken teriyaki, balancing the saltiness of soy sauce and the heat from jalapeños. It helps thicken the sauce while creating a rich, caramelized glaze that enhances the dish’s overall flavor profile.

White Vinegar 3 Tablespoons

White vinegar adds a sharp, tangy acidity to spicy chicken teriyaki, balancing the sweetness of brown sugar and the richness of soy sauce. It brightens the overall flavor, enhancing the savory and spicy elements while cutting through the dish’s richness.

Honey 1 Tablespoon

Honey adds natural sweetness and a smooth, floral note to spicy chicken teriyaki. It balances the heat from jalapeños and the savory depth of soy sauce, while also helping to thicken the sauce for a glossy, sticky finish that clings to the chicken.

Chili Flakes 1 Tablespoon

Chili flakes provide a burst of heat and spice to spicy chicken teriyaki. Their slightly smoky, tangy flavor enhances the overall spiciness, complementing the sweetness of the sauce. Adjusting the amount allows you to control the dish’s heat level to your preference.

Fresh Chopped Herbs 1 tsp

Fresh chopped herbs, such as cilantro or parsley, add a burst of freshness and color to spicy chicken teriyaki. They lighten the dish’s rich flavors and provide a contrast to the heat and sweetness, offering a bright, herbal note to finish the dish.

Sesame Seeds 1 tsp

Sesame seeds add a delightful crunch and subtle nutty flavor to spicy chicken teriyaki. Sprinkled on top, they enhance the dish’s texture and complement the savory and sweet elements, while also contributing a mild, toasted flavor that ties everything together.

Essential Equipment of Spicy Chicken Teriyaki

To prepare a delicious spicy chicken teriyaki, you’ll need the following 5 essential pieces of equipment:

1. Frying Pan or Skillet: A heavy-duty frying pan or skillet is key for cooking the chicken evenly. It allows you to sear the chicken and then reduce the heat to simmer the sauce, ensuring the chicken stays juicy while absorbing the teriyaki flavor.
   
2. Saucepan: If you’re making your own teriyaki sauce from scratch, a small saucepan is essential for simmering ingredients like soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. It helps thicken the sauce and combine all the flavors together.
   
3. Tongs or Spatula: Tongs or a spatula are important for flipping and handling the chicken while it cooks, ensuring you don’t pierce the meat and lose juices, and also for stirring the sauce as it simmers.
   
4. Knife & Cutting Board: A sharp knife and a cutting board are essential for prepping the garlic, ginger, and any other vegetables or herbs you want to add to the dish, like scallions or chilies for added flavor.
   
5. Measuring Cups and Spoons: These are necessary for accurately adding ingredients like soy sauce, sriracha, and honey. Precision ensures the right balance of salty, sweet, and spicy in the dish.
   

With these five tools, you’re all set to create a flavorful spicy chicken teriyaki that’s both easy and delicious!

How to Make Spicy Teriyaki Sauce from Scratch?

• In a large bowl, combine all of the marinade ingredients.
• Place the chicken in a plastic bag with the marinade, or completely soak it in the marinade in a bowl and cover. Marinate for at least ten minutes in the refrigerator prior to cooking. Marinate for two hours or overnight in the fridge for better flavor penetration.
• When you’re ready to fry, heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Cook for about four to five minutes after adding the peppers.
• Stir in the ginger and garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
• After adding the chicken and conserving the marinade, stir-fry for four to five minutes, stirring regularly, until thoroughly done.
• Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and simmer for ten minutes to enable the flavors to combine.
• It can be eaten on its own or served with rice. For garnish, combine chili flakes, sesame seeds, and fresh herbs.

Best Chicken Cuts for Teriyaki Chicken

When making teriyaki chicken, the best cuts of chicken are those that remain tender and juicy after cooking. Here are the top choices:

1. Chicken Thighs (Boneless, Skinless): These are the most popular choice for teriyaki. Thighs have a higher fat content, which keeps them moist and flavorful, even when cooking at high heat. They absorb the teriyaki sauce well, creating a rich, savory flavor.
   
2. Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless): While leaner than thighs, chicken breasts can also work for teriyaki if cooked carefully. To prevent dryness, it’s important not to overcook them. Marinating the breasts in teriyaki sauce beforehand helps them retain moisture.
   
3. Chicken Drumsticks: If you prefer bone-in cuts, drumsticks can be a great option. They add a deeper, more flavorful taste due to the bone, and the skin crisps up nicely when grilled or baked.
   
4. Chicken Tenderloins: These are the leanest and quickest to cook. They work well for a faster, lighter version of teriyaki chicken, though they may not be as juicy as thighs.
   

Each of these cuts offers a slightly different texture and flavor, but all work wonderfully with teriyaki sauce!

Final Words

Unleash a burst of flavors with this tantalizing Spicy Chicken Teriyaki recipe. Elevate your culinary skills and treat your taste buds to a fusion of spicy and sweet sensations. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this recipe is sure to impress and satisfy your cravings for delicious Asian-inspired cuisine. Get ready to spice up your cooking routine and enjoy a mouthwatering meal that will leave you craving more!

FAQs

What’s the Difference Between Regular and Spicy Teriyaki?

The main difference between regular and spicy teriyaki is the level of heat. Regular teriyaki features a sweet, savory sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, with a mild umami flavor. Spicy teriyaki, on the other hand, adds ingredients like sriracha, chili paste, or red pepper flakes, giving the sauce a noticeable kick. This creates a balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, making spicy teriyaki ideal for those who enjoy heat in their dishes. Essentially, spicy teriyaki is a more flavorful and bold version of the traditional, milder sauce.

Can I Use This Recipe for Meal Prep?

Yes, spicy chicken teriyaki is a great choice for meal prep! The dish stores well in airtight containers for up to 4-5 days in the fridge. Simply cook the chicken and sauce as usual, then divide into individual portions. To keep the chicken moist, store the sauce separately or pour it over the chicken just before reheating. You can pair it with rice, vegetables, or a side of noodles for a balanced meal. Just be sure to let the dish cool completely before refrigerating to avoid condensation and preserve freshness. Reheat thoroughly before eating.

How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Without Soy Sauce?

To make teriyaki chicken without soy sauce, you can substitute with coconut aminos or tamari (a gluten-free alternative). For the sauce, combine coconut aminos with ingredients like honey or maple syrup (for sweetness), rice vinegar (for tang), garlic, ginger, and a bit of sesame oil. To thicken the sauce, mix cornstarch or arrowroot powder with water and add it to the simmering mixture. This will create a similar savory-sweet flavor, without the soy sauce. The result will be a slightly different but still delicious and flavorful teriyaki-style chicken.