Super Easy Baked Teriyaki Chicken is an easy dinner that’s on the table in under 45 minutes! Chicken thighs are baked and smothered in a homemade teriyaki sauce. They are perfectly sticky, tender and moist! Serve with rice and your favorite veggie to complete the meal!

Looking for more Teriyaki inspiration? Check out my Orange Teriyaki Salmon and my Teriyaki Meatballs. You will love them!

Baked Teriyaki Chicken in a white dish.
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Excellent flavors and so quick and easy. We love ginger and garlic so I added extra. Will definitely make again. –Tracey

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    Before you get started / Kelley’s tips

    • Double the Sauce. If you like extra sauce for drizzling over rice or veggies you can easily double it!
    • Cook Sides While the Chicken is Baking. While the chicken is baking I usually cook my rice and veggie so everything is done at the same time!
    • Try it on the Grill. Instead of baking this Teriyaki Chicken, try throwing it on the grill! Grill it for 5 minutes on one side then flip and grill it for a further 5-10 minutes, or until the juices inside run clear.
    • Make Homemade Teriyaki Sauce. I love making my own teriyaki sauce at home. It’s super easy to make and you can control the sweetness and the saltiness. I used the same homemade teriyaki sauce as my Easy Teriyaki Beef Meatballs and my Teriyaki Baked Salmon. This homemade teriyaki sauce is the perfect accompaniment for juicy chicken thighs. It makes for a super sticky finger-licking glaze. It is amazing!!

    What you’ll need to make Baked Teriyaki Chicken

    • Chicken – I use bone-in skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe. They turned out super juicy and the skin is nice and crispy. You could use boneless chicken thighs as well!
    • Soy Sauce – I always use low sodium soy sauce. You can use regular soy sauce with a splash of water to combat some of the saltiness.
    • Ginger  I prefer to use fresh grated ginger however ground ginger can be substituted in a pinch.
    • Garlic  Fresh minced garlic adds so much flavor to the sauce. I wouldn’t recommend substituting powdered garlic. The taste just isn’t the same!
    • Brown Sugar Adds a nice sweetness to the teriyaki sauce. If you like your teriyaki on the sweeter side adjust the brown sugar to taste.
    • Rice Wine Vinegar – This vinegar can be found in the International or Asian aisle in the grocery store. It adds the perfect acidity to the sauce.
    • Sesame Oil – Adds a wonderfully nutty flavor to the homemade teriyaki sauce!
    • Cornstarch Slurry – 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon cold water. This thickens up the sauce!

    How to Bake Teriyaki Chicken

    1. Pat Dry Chicken: Next add the chicken thighs to the prepared pan and pat the top of the chicken dry with a paper towel, set aside.
    dabbing raw chicken thighs with a paper towel.
    1. Make the Sauce: Heat oil in a small saucepan. Add garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute until golden brown. Stir in the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, vinegar, and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.
    simmering teriyaki sauce in small saucepan.
    1. Slurry: In a small bowl mix together the cornstarch and water until combined. Slowly add this to the teriyaki sauce and whisk until the sauce has thickened. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of the spoon.
    2. Bake: Brush half of the sauce on top of the chicken thighs. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
    unbaked chicken thighs brushed with teriyaki sauce.
    1. Brush with the Remaining Sauce: and bake for an additional 10-20 minutes or until fully cooked.
    removing chicken thighs from the oven.
    1. Serve: Serve immediately with sesame seeds and green onions for garnish.
    brushing teriyaki sauce on top of baked chicken in casserole pan.

    How to make Teriyaki Sauce

    Making your own Teriyaki Sauce at home is super easy! It’s also a great way to control the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce. Teriyaki sauce not only goes well with Baked Teriyaki Chicken, but it’s also great with salmon, beef, and meatballs. Here’s how to make teriyaki sauce:

    1. Saute Garlic and Ginger: Begin by adding oil to a medium saucepan and heat over medium-high heat. Add in garlic and ginger and cook for one minute, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown
    2. Simmer the Sauce: Stir in soy sauce, water, brown sugar, vinegar, and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer.
    3. Add the Slurry: Make a cornstarch slurry by adding cornstarch and water to a small bowl and whisk until smooth and lump-free. Add the slurry into the sauce slowly.
    4. Simmer Until Thickened: Simmer, whisking constantly until thickened (about 1-2 minutes). Keep an eye on the sauce because it can burn. The sauce is thick enough when it can coat the back of a spoon.
    close up shot of teriyaki chicken thighs in casserole dish.
    Baked Teriyaki Chicken in a white dish.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long do you bake boneless chicken thighs at 375 degrees?

    For boneless chicken thighs at 375°F, you’ll want to cook them for 25-30 minutes. When they’re ready, the juices should run clear. If they’re still pink, pop them back in for another 5-10 minutes.

    Is eating teriyaki chicken healthy?

    Homemade teriyaki chicken is a healthy dish to eat, yes! You can add in extra vegetables, and reduce the amount of processed sugar added by switching to a natural alternative or using brown sweetener. Teriyaki chicken from a restaurant will not be as healthy as homemade. They tend to load the chicken up with ingredients like sugar and msg which aren’t very good for you.

    Is teriyaki sauce the same as teriyaki marinade?

    Yes, they are interchangeable! You can marinate meat in this teriyaki sauce before cooking it on the stove or grilling it. You can also add teriyaki marinade to a stir-fry and it will taste great!

    How do I store and reheat leftover teriyaki chicken?

    • Store Baked Teriyaki Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    • Reheat it in the oven so that the skin doesn’t get too soggy.

    If you like bone in chicken thighs then you’ll have to try my Baked Jerk Chicken!

    Baked Teriyaki Chicken with sesame seeds and green onions on a white dish.

    More Homemade Teriyaki Recipes to Try

    Recipe

    Baked Chicken Teriyaki

    5 from 4 votes
    Super Easy Baked Teriyaki Chicken is an easy dinner that's on the table in under 45 minutes! Chicken thighs are baked and smothered in a homemade teriyaki sauce. They are perfectly sticky, tender and moist! Serve with rice and your favorite veggie to complete the meal!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Serves 6

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      Ingredients 

      Instructions

      • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish with non stick cooking spray.
        Add the chicken thighs to the prepared pan and pat the top of the chicken dry with a paper towel, set aside.
      • Heat oil in a small saucepan. Add garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute until golden brown.
        Stir in the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, vinegar and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.
        In a small bowl mix together the cornstarch and water until combined. Slowly add this to the teriyaki sauce and whisk until the sauce has thickened. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of the spoon.
      • Brush half of the sauce ontop of the chicken thighs.
      • Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
      • Brush with the remaining sauce and bake for an additional 10-20 minutes or until fully cooked.
      • Serve immediately with sesame seeds and green onions for garnish.

      Nutrition Information

      Calories: 396kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 25gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 823mgPotassium: 345mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 113IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg

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