Your favorite takeout recipe just got a healthy (and saucy!) upgrade. Introducing my Saucy and Tender Lemon Garlic Chicken Teriyaki, a simple and delicious dinner that comes together in under 20 minutes. It’s made from a classic, gluten-free teriyaki sauce that gets a kick from fresh lemon, and when paired with tender sautéd chicken? It’s a match made in heaven. Simply serve it over rice for a weeknight dinner recipe that the whole family will enjoy!
Friends, welcome back to my new dinner series, “Dinner in Twenty!” This has been my first recipe series of 2024 and it has been one of my favorite ones to date. Every week, I’ve been sharing a brand new dinner recipe that you can make in under 20 minutes, so that you can spend less time in the kitchen, more time with your loved ones, and still enjoy a restaurant-quality meal. Like this Saucy and Tender Lemon Garlic Teriyaki Chicken!
Teriyaki chicken is a classic recipe that never gets old. Made from tender, perfectly-cooked chicken coated in a thick, sweet sauce and served over a bed of white rice, this dish is the ultimate comfort food. And my family cannot get enough of it! While there are so many teriyaki chicken recipes out there, I wanted to share my favorite twist on the traditional recipe with this Lemon Garlic Teriyaki Chicken. It’s packed with both lemon juice and zest for a tangy and delicious addition to this recipe.
Plus, this recipe is high in protein, which means it’s perfect for keeping you full and satisfied. Not only that, but it’s great for prepping ahead of time. Add it to your meal prep rotation alongside my Cashew Chicken and Beef and Broccoli, and you’ve got a week’s worth of absolutely delicious dinners – all ready in under 20 minutes!
What You Need to Make This Better-Than-Takeout Dinner
- Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is a neutral oil that is filled with healthy fats, making it the best option for cooking this chicken.
- Chicken Breast or Thighs: This recipe works well with either chicken breast or thighs, so use whatever you have on-hand! Personally, I like using 50/50, but this recipe tastes delicious either way.
- Chicken Broth: Instead of using water as the base for this sauce, I love using chicken broth. Not only does it add much more flavor, but you can also use chicken bone broth for some extra protein. However, you can also use water, if you prefer.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos: If you want to keep this recipe gluten-free, you can use coconut aminos. Otherwise, low sodium soy sauce works great, in this recipe.
- Honey: The combination of lemon and honey always works like a charm, especially in this recipe.
- Lemon: You’ll need the juice of two lemons and the zest of one lemon to give this teriyaki chicken the most delicious lemony flavor.
- Garlic: I always recommend using fresh garlic, whenever possible. The flavor is truly unbeatable!
- Fresh Ginger: Fresh ginger packs a punch to any recipe, including this one.
- Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar adds the perfect touch of sweetness to this teriyaki sauce!
- Arrowroot Starch, Tapioca Starch or Cornstarch: A thick sauce is key to any restaurant-style recipe, so a thickening agent is necessary here to achieve that perfect texture. This recipe has been tested with all three of the above ingredients, and they all work just as well!
How to Make This Simple & Easy 20-Minute Recipe
To make this Lemon Garlic Teriyaki Chicken, start by preparing the sauce. Add the broth, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice and zest, garlic, fresh ginger, coconut sugar, and starch to a small bowl and whisk until combined.
Next, heat a large pan, on the stove, over medium heat, and add in the oil. While the oil is heating prepare the chicken by cutting it into small pieces. Then, once the oil is hot, add the chicken to the pan and cook until the chicken is almost cooked through – some pink is okay! This should take approximately 4 minutes.
Add in the sauce and allow the chicken to cook in the sauce until everything is nice and thick, and the chicken is cooked through. This should take approximately 5-6 minutes.
Once the chicken is cooked, turn off the heat and taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Finally, serve the finished chicken over rice, and enjoy!
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil
- 2 Pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast or Thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
For the Sauce:
- ¾ Cup Chicken Broth or Water
- ½ Cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos
- 2 Tablespoons Honey
- 2 Lemons, juiced
- 1 Lemon, zested
- 4 Cloves Garlic, mashed
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Ginger, minced
- ¼ Cup Coconut Sugar
- ¼ Cup Arrowroot Starch or Tapioca Flour or Cornstarch
For Garnishing:
- 1 Green Onion, sliced
- 1 Teaspoon Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- To make this Lemon Garlic Teriyaki Chicken, start by preparing the sauce. Add the broth, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice and zest, garlic, fresh ginger, coconut sugar, and starch to a small bowl and whisk until combined.
- Next, heat a large pan, on the stove, over medium heat, and add in the oil.
- While the oil is heating prepare the chicken by cutting it into small pieces.
- Then, once the oil is hot, add the chicken to the pan and cook until the chicken is almost cooked through – some pink is okay! This should take approximately 4 minutes.
- Add in the sauce and allow the chicken to cook in the sauce until everything is nice and thick, and the chicken is cooked through. This should take approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Once the chicken is cooked, turn off the heat and taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Finally, serve the finished chicken over rice, and enjoy!
Rate & review
SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!
What others are saying
We love this! We’ve made it with thighs and breasts, and you’re right, the thighs are the best!
Woohoo! I am so beyond happy to hear that! Thank you so much for your support and for leaving such a kind review!