Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

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This oven baked teriyaki chicken recipe is made with tender chicken thighs and a delicious homemade teriyaki sauce and then baked to crisp and juicy perfection. Low carb and keto-friendly.

Love my oven baked teriyaki chicken thighs? Try my Baked Chicken Parmesan and my Broiled Chicken Kabobs for more great oven made chicken recipes.

When you’re craving irresistibly sweet and salty teriyaki, put down the store-bought bottle and make my homemade teriyaki sauce, but why stop there? Grab a couple of pounds of chicken thighs, and treat yourself to a healthy oven-baked teriyaki chicken dinner that rivals any Japanese steakhouse.

The teriyaki sauce is a thick glaze that brushes like butter over the chicken. It tastes great served on top of a bed of fluffy fried rice with a side of tender-crisp veggies. The chicken takes about an hour to bake, leaving you plenty of time to prepare a couple of healthy side dishes. Ready to make oven-baked teriyaki chicken? Crank up the oven, and let’s do it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The homemade teriyaki sauce is next-level delicious.
• Kid-friendly. Baked teriyaki chicken makes a great family meal.
• The ingredients are keto-friendly and can be adapted for gluten-free diets.
• It can be prepped in advance and baked before serving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Skinless Chicken Thighs – This recipe makes enough teriyaki sauce for 2-1/2 pounds of chicken thighs (about 12 pieces).

• For the teriyaki sauce, you’ll need:
• Granulated Sweetener – To sweeten your sauce, you can use granulated white sugar. For low-carb teriyaki sauce, use monk fruit. I use the Lakanto brand for the monk fruit sweetener.
• Soy Sauce – Soy sauce is the main ingredient in teriyaki sauce. It gives the sauce its signature tangy and salty flavor. To make this recipe gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – For flavor. You can also use rice vinegar.
• Cornstarch – Cornstarch helps thicken the sauce as it simmers.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic for aromatic, umami flavor.
• Water – Just a splash to loosen up the cornstarch.
• Spices: Ginger & Black Pepper – Enriches the sauce with warmth and kick.

How To Bake Teriyaki Chicken

Step 1: Make teriyaki.

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Combine the cornstarch, water, monk fruit sweetener, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic clove, ground ginger, and pepper in a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat, frequently stirring, until the sauce thickens.

Step 2: Coat chicken thighs.

Add the chicken thighs to a greased 9×13″ baking pan in a single layer, brush with teriyaki sauce, and then flip the pieces over and brush the other side.

Step 3: Bake chicken thighs.

Transfer to your 425F preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Flip the pieces over, brush with sauce again, and return to the oven until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165F (about 30 more minutes). 

Recipe Tips

• Double up on the sauce – Prepare extra sauce to serve your chicken with and to have on hand for grilled meats and vegetables. If you prefer a thinner marinade, leave out the cornstarch. You can also make instant pot teriyaki chicken and teriyaki chicken and veggies.
• Marinate thighs – Another benefit of doubling the sauce recipe is to marinate the chicken. Place the thighs in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid and toss with the teriyaki sauce. Marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes to overnight.
• Serving size – Chicken thighs are measured at 3 ounces each, for a total of 36 ounces. This recipe makes about twelve 3 ounce servings.
• Cook to temperature – The internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165°. Measure this at the thickest part. Continue cooking until the chicken reaches temperature.
• Spicy Teriyaki Chicken – Kick your sauce up a notch with a tablespoon or two of sriracha or chili garlic sauce.

Variations

Check out the list below for details on how to adapt this recipe for a different chicken cut:

• Breasts – Lower the oven temperature to 400F and bake teriyaki chicken breasts for 20 to 25 minutes.
• Tenders – Lower the oven temperature to 350F and bake teriyaki chicken breasts for 18 to 22 minutes.
• Bite-Size Chunks – Lower the temperature to 350F and bake chunks of chicken coated in teriyaki sauce for 25 to 30 minutes.
• Drumsticks – Lower the temperature to 400F and bake teriyaki chicken drumsticks for 35 to 40 minutes.

What Goes with Teriyaki Chicken

• I love serving baked teriyaki chicken with a side of fluffy white rice and steamed broccoli.
• To keep your meal low carb and keto-friendy, serve with cauliflower rice.
• You can also cut the chicken into slices to fan over a healthy green salad.

Storing & Making Ahead

Storing: Place cooled chicken in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

Freezing: To freeze cooked chicken, let it cool and then place it in a freezer-safe airtight container and freeze for 2 to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Make-Ahead: Another option is freezing the chicken raw with the teriyaki sauce. Thaw the chicken and sauce in the fridge before baking.

FAQ

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