Tender Chicken Teriyaki Donburi: A Flavorful Meal for All Ages
Easy Homemade Chicken Teriyaki Donburi Recipe: Tender Chicken with Sweet & Savory Sauce
While initially planning to make simple side dishes for the kids, I decided to change the menu to a delicious Chicken Teriyaki Donburi using chicken thigh. The savory and subtly sweet teriyaki sauce perfectly complements the chicken, creating a flavor that’s loved by both children and adults. You can enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home with these simple ingredients.
Main Ingredients- 300g Chicken thigh meat (with skin for extra tenderness)
- 2/3 stalk Green onion (white parts preferred)
- 5-6 cloves Garlic
- 1 knob Ginger (about the size of garlic)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s season the chicken thigh meat. Cut the chicken thigh meat into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm). Place the chicken in a bowl, add 1.5 Tbsp of mirin, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Gently mix them together and let it marinate for about 10 minutes while you prepare the vegetables. This marination process will make the chicken more tender and remove any unwanted odors.
Step 2
If your chicken has been in the refrigerator for a long time, you can soak it in about 1 cup of milk for 15 minutes, then rinse it off before marinating. This is an effective way to eliminate any gamey smell. If the chicken is fresh, you can skip this step.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables. Thinly slice the garlic cloves and the ginger knob into thin slices. Cut the green onion into segments about 5 cm long, and then slice them in half lengthwise. This helps the sauce penetrate better and makes for a more attractive presentation.
Step 4
Heat about 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken thigh meat and sear it until it’s golden brown on all sides. Cooking the chicken’s surface well will help lock in the juices, ensuring a tender and moist result.
Step 5
While the chicken is searing, let’s make the delicious teriyaki sauce. In a small bowl, combine 5 Tbsp of soy sauce, 3 Tbsp of mirin, 5 Tbsp of water, 0.5 Tbsp of sugar, and 2 Tbsp of corn syrup (or oligosaccharide). Mix them well. I used a dashi-based soy sauce for an extra umami boost. (Tip: You can also use store-bought teriyaki sauce for convenience.)
Step 6
In the same pan where you seared the chicken, add the sliced garlic, ginger, and green onions. Sauté them until fragrant. Once the vegetables release their aroma, pour the prepared teriyaki sauce into the pan. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer until it thickens slightly and coats the ingredients. During this process, the flavors from the vegetables will infuse into the sauce, creating a richer taste.
Step 7
As the sauce begins to bubble and thicken, return the seared chicken to the pan. Toss the chicken in the sauce to ensure it’s evenly coated. Continue to simmer for about 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce clings nicely to the chicken and it has a glossy finish. Flipping the chicken occasionally will help the sauce distribute evenly.
Step 8
Serve the deliciously glazed chicken teriyaki generously over a bed of warm cooked rice. For an extra touch, top it with a perfectly fried egg! Enjoy this satisfying and flavorful Chicken Teriyaki Donburi that’s sure to be a hit.
