5 from 6 votes

Saucy and Tender Lemon Garlic Teriyaki Chicken

January 31, 2024

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!

A bowl of the saucy lemon garlic teriyaki chicken, sitting atop a bed of white rice

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!

All of the ingredients needed to make this saucy lemon garlic chicken teriyaki, laid out on a cutting board on a countertop — To make this recipe, you will need avocado oil, chicken, chicken broth, low sodium soy sauce, honey, lemon, garlic, fresh ginger, coconut sugar, and starch.

A small bowl, sitting on a countertop, with all of the sauce ingredients actively being whisked together — To make this recipe, you will need avocado oil, chicken, chicken broth, low sodium soy sauce, honey, lemon, garlic, fresh ginger, coconut sugar, and starch.

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.

A pan, filled with the chicken pieces, sitting on a countertop next to a bowl of lemons and a bowl of cooked rice — Next, set the sauce aside while you prepare the chicken. Heat the oil in a pan, then 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.

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!

A pan of the teriyaki chicken, sitting on a countertop, with the lemon garlic sauce actively being poured on top of it — Then, pour the sauce on top of the chicken and allow it to cook for another 5-6 minutes, until the sauce thickens and the chicken cooks through.

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.

A pan full of the saucy lemon garlic chicken teriyaki with a spoon sitting inside of the pot and lemon wedges resting in it — Once the chicken is done, top it with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Then, serve it over rice, and enjoy!

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