If you’ve been craving a delicious, saucy chicken dish with a zesty twist, you’re going to love this Saucy Lemon Garlic Teriyaki Chicken! This recipe is part of my Dinner in 20 series, where I show you how to make healthy, high-protein, restaurant-quality dinners in 20 minutes or less. This one is a real WINNER it’s packed with the tangy flavors of lemon and garlic, combined with a light and savory teriyaki sauce. Trust me, it tastes better than any takeout, and it’s so easy to make! Plus, it’s perfect for meal prepping, so you’ll have a tasty, nutritious meal ready in no time.
Method
Preparing the Sauce
First, start by making the sauce. In a bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients. Combine the chicken broth (or water), low-sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos), honey, lemon juice and zest, mashed garlic, fresh ginger, coconut sugar, and arrowroot (or cornstarch). Whisk everything together until smooth. This sauce is what makes the dish so flavorful, with its perfect balance of tangy lemon, savory soy sauce, and a touch of sweetness from the honey and coconut sugar. Once mixed, set the sauce aside so it’s ready to use when you start cooking the chicken.
Cooking the Chicken
Next, heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the bite-sized pieces of chicken breast or thighs. Stir occasionally, cooking the chicken until it is nearly done slightly pink in the center is okay because it will continue cooking in the sauce. This process should take about 4 minutes. Once the chicken is almost cooked through, pour in the prepared sauce. Stir everything well to coat the chicken in that delicious sauce. As the sauce heats up, you’ll notice it starts to thicken, forming a sticky glaze around the chicken. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for another 5 to 6 minutes, allowing the sauce to cook down and soak into the chicken, ensuring every bite is full of flavor.
Finishing the Dish
Once the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your liking, turn off the heat. Give it a taste to make sure the flavors are balanced. If you feel the sauce needs a little more sweetness or a touch more tang, feel free to adjust by adding a little extra honey or lemon juice, depending on your preference.
Serving the Chicken
Now, it’s time to serve! Spoon the chicken and its flavorful sauce over a bed of steamed rice, which will soak up all the delicious sauce. For that extra touch of color and flavor, garnish with freshly chopped green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. These little additions not only enhance the dish’s presentation but also add a fun crunch and pop of flavor to every bite. Enjoy your Saucy Lemon Garlic Teriyaki Chicken while it’s hot and fresh, and savor the tangy, garlicky goodness in every mouthful!
Necessary Tools
- Large pan or skillet
- Whisk
- Knife and cutting board
- Zester or grater
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Tongs or spatula for stirring
Saucy Lemon Garlic Teriyaki Chicken
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings5
minutes15
minutes20
minutesIngredients
For the Sauce
3/4 cup chicken broth (or water)
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
2 tbsp honey
2 lemons (juiced and zested)
4 cloves garlic, mashed
2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1/4 cup arrowroot, tapioca flour, or cornstarch
For the Chicken
2 tbsp avocado oil
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces, I used 1 lb of each)
Directions
- Start by preparing the sauce. In a bowl, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients: chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice and zest, mashed garlic, fresh ginger, coconut sugar, and arrowroot (or cornstarch). This will create a wonderfully tangy, sweet, and garlicky base for your chicken. Once mixed, set it aside.
Now, heat the avocado oil in a large pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the chicken pieces and cook until the chicken is nearly done (a little pink is okay!). This should take about 4 minutes. Once the chicken is almost cooked, pour in the sauce, stirring everything to coat well. You’ll notice the sauce begin to thicken, creating a delicious, sticky glaze on the chicken. Let the chicken cook in the sauce for another 5-6 minutes to finish cooking and soak up all that yummy flavor.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, turn off the heat, taste, and adjust the seasonings if needed. Serve the chicken over a bed of rice, garnish with fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds for a little crunch and color. Enjoy the flavorful, saucy goodness!
Notes
- Cooking the Chicken: Be sure not to overcook the chicken. You want it juicy and tender, so make sure the chicken is cooked through but still moist.
- Adjusting Sauce Thickness: If the sauce gets too thick too quickly, you can always add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it up a bit. Stir constantly to prevent it from burning.
- Taste Testing: Since everyone’s taste buds are different, don’t be afraid to taste the sauce and adjust the flavors! You might want to add a little extra honey if you prefer it sweeter, or more lemon for that extra tang.
Serving Suggestions
This Saucy Lemon Garlic Teriyaki Chicken is perfect served over a bowl of steamed rice, which soaks up all the sauce and makes every bite extra satisfying. You can also serve it with a side of steamed veggies or a fresh salad for a balanced meal. The green onions and sesame seeds are optional, but they add a fun, flavorful touch that really completes the dish.
Fun Fact
Did you know that lemon and garlic aren’t just delicious together they also have many health benefits? Lemon is rich in vitamin C, which is great for your immune system, and garlic is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This dish is as good for you as it tastes!
Conclusion
This Saucy Lemon Garlic Teriyaki Chicken is perfect for anyone looking for a quick, healthy, and super flavorful dinner. It’s ready in 20 minutes, tastes better than takeout, and is packed with protein to keep you feeling full and satisfied. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or looking for a quick dinner idea, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen. Try it out, and don’t forget to let me know what you think! I’m already thinking about Episode 5 drop your recipe requests below!
