This easy pan-seared Teriyaki Chicken Thighs recipe comes together quickly and easily in a few simple steps! Perfectly cooked boneless, skinless chicken thighs coated in a homemade teriyaki sauce, this makes for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep!
You will love this flavourful teriyaki chicken thighs recipe. They’re juicy, simple, and a household favourite! You will love how quick it is to turn plain chicken thighs into a flavourful dinner the whole family will love with only a few simple ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Teriyaki Chicken Thighs Recipe
- This teriyaki chicken thighs recipe leans heavily to pantry staples to make flavourful. I use paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to season the chicken thighs which are almost always in my spice cabinet. Then the homemade teriyaki sauce is made with pantry staples as well.
- It’s quick! It takes less than 10 minutes per side to sear the chicken thighs. I have to time the recipe as it’s faster than cooking my jasmine rice to serve with!
- Makes for the perfect meal prep. Meal prep a batch of this teriyaki chicken for the week! It reheats wonderfully.
Ingredients You’ll Need

- chicken thighs — I use boneless, skinless thighs. If you have bone-in, it’ll take a lot longer to cook.
- seasoning — I season my chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- olive oil — or another oil of your choice.
- soy sauce —I recommend using low sodium soy sauce
- honey
- pineapple juice or orange juice
- garlic — I’m using powder but you can use fresh minced garlic as well.
- mirin — mirin is a Japanese sweet rice wine, if you are unable to find it, you can try rice vinegar with extra honey
How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
- Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- On medium heat, heat up the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet.
- Add the chicken thighs to the skillet, smooth side down. Cook in two batch if needed.

- Pan sear for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for 6 to 7 more minutes, or until cooked through.
- Set the chicken aside in a plate and wipe down the skillet.
- Add the soy sauce, honey, juice, garlic, and mirin to the skillet and bring it to a simmer.
- Once the sauce has thickened (around 3 to 5 minutes), add the chicken thighs back to the pan and coat the chicken with the sauce.

Recipe Tips and Notes
- I like to add a little toasted sesame seeds and green onions to the chicken thighs before serving.
- Chicken thighs can be swapped for chicken breasts, however, the cook time may change. You can also halve the chicken breasts to speed up the cook time.
- Try making my Teriyaki Chicken Wings if you don’t have thighs or breasts!
- Chicken thighs are done when they’ve reached an internal temperature of 165F/74C. Use an instant read thermometer to check.
- Avoid moving the chicken when you first place it in. Allow the chicken to sear. The chicken will come off the skillet once it’s ready. If you move it too early, the chicken will stick to the skillet and tear.
- The sauce will bubble as it simmers, not to worry. Just continue allow it to simmer.
- Try my sheet pan chicken teriyaki and vegetables, teriyaki meatballs, or my shredded Instant Pot teriyaki chicken for more delicious teriyaki chicken recipes.
Make Ahead Tips
- Meal prep: once cooled, store the cooked teriyaki chicken thighs in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. I like to pack it with some jasmine or coconut rice.
- Freezer: allow the chicken thighs to cool before transferring them into an airtight container before storing them in the freezer. They can last for up to 3 months.
Serving Ideas
Need some ideas of what to serve with these chicken thighs? Try these side dishes:
- Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Silken Tofu Recipe
- Seasoned Spinach
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Purple Rice

Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 8 to 10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Teriyaki Sauce
- ⅓ cup soy sauce, low sodium
- 4 to 5 tbsp honey
- ¼ cup pineapple juice or orange juice
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp mirin
Equipment
- Non-stick skillet
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- On medium heat, heat up the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet.
- Add the chicken thighs to the skillet, smooth side down. Cook in two batch if needed.
- Pan sear for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for 6 to 7 more minutes, or until cooked through.
- Set the chicken aside in a plate and wipe down the skillet.
- Add the soy sauce, honey, juice, garlic, and mirin to the skillet and bring it to a simmer.
- Once the sauce has thickened (around 3 to 5 minutes), add the chicken thighs back to the pan and coat the chicken with the sauce.
Nutrition Per Serving
More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
- Dutch Oven Roasted Chicken
- Easy Chipotle Chicken Thighs
- Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
- Hot Honey Chicken Thighs
- Lemongrass Chicken Thighs
- Sticky Orange Glazed Chicken Thighs
- Coconut Honey Lime Chicken Thighs
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