Quick Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

Sizzling Quick Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe for Busy Nights

Crafting a delectable teriyaki chicken stir-fry brings incredible flavor to your weeknight dinner routine.

Sweet and savory notes dance across each tender bite of meat.

Our simple method transforms basic ingredients into something truly special.

chicken pieces quickly caramelize in a hot wok, creating golden edges that lock in juiciness.

Authentic Japanese-inspired seasonings blend seamlessly with crisp vegetables for a balanced meal.

Minimal prep work means you can have dinner ready in under 30 minutes.

Dive into this easy recipe that promises restaurant-quality results right from your kitchen.

Why Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry Works So Well

  • Swap out vegetables or protein based on what's in your fridge, allowing you to create a personalized dish that suits your taste and uses available ingredients.
  • Packed with sweet and savory teriyaki sauce, this recipe offers a crowd-pleasing meal that both kids and adults will love, ensuring clean plates and happy faces around the dinner table.
  • Minimal dishes and quick cooking time mean less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal, making this stir-fry a go-to recipe for home cooks seeking convenience and taste.

Ingredients for Teriyaki Stir-Fry

Main Protein:
  • Chicken: Tender meat that serves as the primary protein for this stir-fry dish.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Soy Sauce, Honey, Rice Vinegar, Water: Create a balanced and flavorful teriyaki sauce with sweet and tangy notes.
  • Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce and gives it a glossy appearance.
  • Garlic, Ginger: Provide aromatic and zesty flavor to the teriyaki sauce.
Cooking and Vegetable Ingredients:
  • Vegetable Oil: Ensures smooth cooking and prevents sticking in the skillet.
  • Mixed Vegetables: Add color, nutrition, and crisp texture to the stir-fry.
  • Green Onions: Offer a fresh, mild onion flavor as a garnish.
Serving Suggestions:
  • Rice, Noodles: Serve as a base to soak up the delicious teriyaki sauce.

Make This Chicken Teriyaki Stir-Fry Fast

Step 1: Craft Flavor-Packed Teriyaki Sauce

Grab a small mixing bowl and combine these flavor-boosting ingredients:
  • Soy sauce
  • Honey
  • Rice vinegar
  • Cornstarch
  • Water
  • Minced garlic
  • Grated ginger

Whisk everything together until smooth and set aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.

Step 2: Sizzle the Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Toss in chicken pieces and cook them until they turn golden brown and are completely cooked through.

Keep stirring to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.

Step 3: Toss in Colorful Vegetables

Add your favorite mixed vegetables to the skillet.

Stir and cook until the veggies are tender but still maintain a delightful crunch.

The vibrant colors will make your dish look as amazing as it tastes.

Step 4: Drench in Teriyaki Magic

Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the chicken and vegetables.

Stir everything together, making sure each piece gets a beautiful coating of the glossy sauce.

Let it simmer for a couple of minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to the ingredients.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly sliced green onions on top for an extra pop of flavor.

Serve your sizzling stir-fry over fluffy rice or slurp-worthy noodles.

Get ready to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal right at home!

Tips for Better Stir-Fry Results

  • Grate fresh ginger and garlic instead of using pre-minced versions for a more vibrant, authentic teriyaki taste.
  • Adjust cornstarch amount carefully – less for a thinner sauce, more for a thicker glaze that clings perfectly to chicken and vegetables.
  • Add frozen or fresh vegetables at the last moment to maintain crisp texture and bright color, avoiding mushy results.
  • Pat chicken dry before cooking to ensure golden browning and prevent steaming, which keeps meat juicy and flavorful.
  • Use low-sodium soy sauce if watching salt intake, or mix regular soy sauce with water to reduce overall saltiness without losing depth of flavor.

Store and Reheat Stir-Fry with Care

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Place a paper towel inside to absorb moisture and prevent sogginess.
  • Transfer cooled stir-fry to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label with date and contents. Freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Add 1-2 tablespoons water to prevent drying. Cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.
  • Warm a skillet over medium heat. Add small amount of oil or water. Pour in stir-fry and stir gently. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated completely and sauce regains original consistency.

Top Pairings for Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry

  • Pair with Crisp Rice Wine: Select a chilled sake or Japanese rice wine that complements the sweet and savory teriyaki flavors, cutting through the richness of the chicken.
  • Enhance with Jasmine Green Tea: Brew a light, fragrant jasmine green tea to balance the meal's umami profile and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the stir-fry's intensity.
  • Match with Sesame Cucumber Salad: Create a cool, crunchy side dish featuring thinly sliced cucumbers, toasted sesame seeds, and a light rice vinegar dressing to contrast the warm stir-fry.
  • Serve with Steamed Coconut Rice: Prepare fluffy white rice cooked with coconut milk for a creamy, slightly sweet base that elevates the teriyaki chicken's complex flavor notes.

Teriyaki Stir-Fry Style Variations

  • Vegetarian Teriyaki Tofu Stir-Fry: Replace chicken with firm tofu cubes, pressed and pan-fried until crispy, maintaining the same teriyaki sauce and vegetable mix for a plant-based version.
  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Rice Option: Swap traditional rice with cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrates, keeping the teriyaki sauce and protein ingredients unchanged.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of soy sauce, ensuring cornstarch is certified gluten-free and selecting gluten-free vegetables for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Spicy Teriyaki Kick: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the teriyaki mixture for individuals wanting extra heat and more complex flavor profiles.

FAQs

  • Is teriyaki sauce hard to make from scratch?

No, it’s actually quite simple. You just need a few basic ingredients like soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Whisk them together and you’ll have a delicious homemade sauce in minutes.

  • Can I use frozen vegetables for this stir-fry?

Absolutely! Frozen mixed vegetables work perfectly. Just make sure to thaw them slightly before adding to the skillet so they cook evenly and maintain a nice crisp texture.

  • What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are ideal. Cut them into bite-sized pieces for quick and even cooking. Chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful and juicy compared to chicken breasts.

  • How can I make this dish spicier?

Add a dash of sriracha sauce to the teriyaki mixture, or sprinkle some red pepper flakes when cooking. For extra heat, include some sliced jalapeños with the vegetables during the stir-fry.

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Quick Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

Quick Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe


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4.9 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sizzling Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry delivers bold Japanese flavors with tender chicken and crisp vegetables dancing in a glossy sauce. Hearty and quick, this dish brings restaurant-quality comfort right to home kitchens with minimal effort.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables:

  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, snap peas)
  • 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Teriyaki Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Craft the zesty teriyaki sauce by blending soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch, water, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small mixing bowl. Set the aromatic mixture aside.
  2. Fire up a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, drizzling vegetable oil to create a sizzling surface. Introduce chicken pieces, stirring continuously for 5-6 minutes until they transform into golden-brown, fully cooked morsels.
  3. Seamlessly incorporate mixed vegetables into the skillet, allowing them to dance and sauté for 3-4 minutes, maintaining a vibrant crunch and tender texture.
  4. Cascade the prepared teriyaki sauce over the chicken and vegetables, thoroughly coating each ingredient. Simmer and stir for 2 minutes, watching the sauce thicken and cling to the contents.
  5. Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of sliced green onions, presenting the stir-fry atop a bed of steaming rice or twirled noodles for a complete, mouthwatering meal.

Notes

  • Swap honey with maple syrup or agave for a vegan-friendly version that maintains the sweet, rich flavor profile.
  • Toast sesame seeds and sprinkle on top for an extra nutty crunch that elevates the dish’s texture and visual appeal.
  • Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt intake without compromising the authentic teriyaki taste, perfect for health-conscious cooks.
  • Marinate chicken beforehand in half the teriyaki sauce for deeper flavor penetration and more tender meat that falls apart deliciously.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Clara Thompson

Clara Thompson

Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Developing accessible single-serving recipes, Food writing and content creation, Plant-based and allergen-friendly cooking, Culinary education and workshop facilitation

Education

​Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)
Diploma in Culinary Arts

Specialized in plant-based cooking and sustainable kitchen practices.​

Portland Community College
Certificate in Food Writing and Media

Focused on recipe writing, food photography, and digital content creation.​


Clara’s food journey began with a curiosity for color, texture, and ingredients pulled straight from the garden. Her background in plant-forward cooking and creative writing gives her a unique edge – she makes healthy, flavorful food feel inviting, not intimidating.
She specializes in meals that work for busy lives and different diets, all without sacrificing taste. Clara’s voice comes through in every recipe she writes – clear, kind, and encouraging.

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