Hawaiian Style BBQ Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
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Yummy grilled savory-sweet chicken
Teriyaki Chicken
Getting ready for the beach was always the best part of the weekend. Pack up the cooler full of ice for the food and drinks. Load up the truck with the family and enjoy the good vibes at the beach!
We occasionally used the beach park’s grill by loading it with charcoal and started grilling either khalbi ribs, hamburgers, or teriyaki chicken. After swimming we’d like to eat the good grindz and jam to some local tunes.
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Why I love Teriyaki Sauce
Teriyaki sauce is the most versatile sauce! Here are some few reasons on why I love Teriyaki Sauce:
- Multiple uses – I like to use this teriyaki sauce for all sorts of meats and dishes like; beef, fish, and stir fry.
- Easy – It’s super easy to make and store for future use.
- Ingredients – It has pretty basic ingredients that’s usually in your pantry
What’s in Teriyaki Sauce?
The base of Teriyaki Sauce is just shoyu (soy sauce) and sugar. You can leave it at that but I like to add in a little bit more to give it that “oomph!”
Some optional additions I like to add in it is:
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Sesame oil
- Sesame seeds
- Ajinomoto (MSG)
- Green onions
Most of this is what you usually find in any typical asian recipe. This has such a beautiful array of umami flavors.
Is MSG safe?
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is clarified to be safe by the FDA. MSG was given a reputation due to the hype of the media and for the fear against Chinese restaurants (Chinese restaurant syndrome, CRS).
Some are sensitive to MSG but it is not harmful. If you are sensitive to MSG, please omit it.
MSG has been used for centuries and can be found in most processed foods like chips, canned foods, salad dressings, etc. It is used mostly as a flavor enhancer.
How to prep the Teriyaki Chicken
Making Teriyaki Chicken is super easy:
- Combine all of the ingredients but the chicken in a large mixing bowl.
- Stir until the sugar has dissolved
- Add in the chicken to marinate for 4-24 hours
- Grill or fry the chicken
Can I use Teriyaki Sauce for other recipes?
You sure can! You can use it for teriyaki beef, teriyaki stir fry, teriyaki salmon, teriyaki spam musubi, teriyaki burgers, etc.
You name it! Use this sauce to whip up a quick and onolicious meal for the family.
Give this onolicious recipe a try! If you did give it a try, please leave a comment with a star rating below. Mahalo!
Video Tutorial
Check out this video to help you gain more insight on how to make Teriyaki Chicken. Also, subscribe to my YouTube to help support me so I can continue making more of these contents. Mahalo!
Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs skinless and boneless chicken thighs
Base Teriyaki Sauce:
- 1 ½ cups shoyu (soy sauce)
- 1 cup sugar
Other optional additions:
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 2 cloves grated garlic
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp ajinomoto (MSG)
- 2 stalks green onion
Instructions
- Combine the shoyu, sugar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, sesame seeds, MSG, and green onions in a large mixing bowl. Mix until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add in the chicken thighs and make sure most of it has been covered in the sauce. Marinade for up to 4-24 hours covered in the fridge.
- Grill or fry each side for about 4-5 minutes or until it has been cooked thoroughly.
Aloha Tani,
I made your Teriyaki Chicken and we loved it!!!❤
I used white sugar, but want to know if I can also use light brown sugar?
Keniki
You sure can!
Can I substitute half the sugar with a half cup of mirin?
Great recipe and I’m looking forward to trying more. I do hope you do more research on msg though. It is a neurotoxin for all but for the sensitive it is poison and causes my son to have major problems. I know there is debate on it but I just don’t want people to assume it’s safe now. Everyone should do their research and come to their own conclusions. I would definitely avoid it if have neurological problems, autoimmune issues, or are on the autism spectrum for sure. mahalo
None of this true. MSG is perfectly safe, and those who claim to experience side effects from it have fallen victim to either the placebo effect, or racist views. Do YOUR research.
Can you use chicken breast instead?