What are the ingredients of teriyaki marinade?

A traditional teriyaki marinade usually contains soy sauce, sugar, ginger, and garlic . Some recipes add honey, mirin, or rice vinegar for balance. In this version, the base is soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free), brown sugar, honey, ginger, and garlic powder, with cornstarch to thicken the sauce so it clings to the chicken.

How to marinade teriyaki chicken?

After preparing the marinade, place your chicken in a large bowl or zip-top bag and pour the sauce over it. Toss until all pieces are coated evenly, then refrigerate. For best flavor, marinate for at least 30 minutes , though 2–4 hours provides a deeper taste. Avoid marinating for more than 24 hours, as the texture of the chicken can start to break down.

What’s the difference between teriyaki sauce and teriyaki marinade?

Teriyaki sauce is thicker for glazing, while marinade is thinner for soaking into meat. Make a double batch—use one part to marinate and the rest to drizzle over the cooked chicken.

When to add teriyaki sauce when cooking chicken?

When grilling or pan-searing, baste in the last few minutes to avoid burning the sugars. Keep some sauce aside for drizzling—never reuse marinade that touched raw chicken.

How long to marinate chicken in Kikkoman teriyaki marinade?

Store-bought marinades like Kikkoman are convenient, but they can be salty. For best results, marinate chicken for 30 minutes to 2 hours . Going longer can make the chicken too salty or change its texture.

Can you marinate chicken in store-bought teriyaki sauce?

Yes, bottled teriyaki sauce works, but it’s usually thicker and sweeter. Thin it with a little water or soy sauce so it coats the chicken evenly without being too strong.

Teriyaki Chicken Marinade – Sweet, Savory, and Simple to Make

Teriyaki Chicken Marinade

Print Recipe

A sweet and savory teriyaki marinade that makes chicken juicy and flavorful—perfect for grilling, baking, or meal prep.

Author: Chef Rina
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Marinating: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 1x
Category: Dinner

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons cornstarch
½ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup soy sauce or tamari
2 teaspoons honey
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 teaspoons kosher salt

Instructions

In a small saucepan, whisk together cornstarch and 1 cup cold water. Add brown sugar, soy sauce (or tamari), honey, ground ginger, and garlic powder. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and stir often until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 4 minutes). Reserve about ⅓ cup of sauce for serving.
Pat the chicken dry and season with kosher salt. Toss chicken in the remaining teriyaki sauce so it’s well coated.
Preheat grill to high. Place chicken on the grill, reduce heat to medium-high after placing chicken, cover, and cook for 5 minutes until char marks appear. Flip, baste with any remaining sauce, then cook another 7–8 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Transfer chicken to a serving platter, drizzle reserved sauce over top, and let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Always reserve some sauce before adding raw chicken—don’t reuse raw marinade for finishing sauce.
For best flavor, marinate at least 30 minutes; for deeper taste, 2–4 hours.
Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 6
Calories: 334
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 1471mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 17g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 46g
Cholesterol: 102mg

Keywords: teriyaki chicken marinade, boneless chicken breasts, skinless chicken breast, pineapple juice, cider vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, honey, rice

Find it online: https://www.joyliciousrecipes.com/best-teriyaki-chicken-marinade/