Bring the flavors of Benihana to your kitchen with this easy Copycat Benihana Teriyaki Chicken Recipe. Juicy chicken coated in a sweet and savory sauce makes the perfect weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing meal.
If you love the sweet and savory teriyaki chicken at Benihana, this copycat recipe lets you recreate it easily at home. Juicy, perfectly cooked chicken is coated in a flavorful sauce made with soy, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger, delivering restaurant-quality taste without the wait.
Quick to make and versatile enough to serve with rice, noodles, or veggies, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Restaurant-Style Flavor at Home: Enjoy the authentic taste of Benihana without leaving your kitchen.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Juicy, Tender Chicken: Chicken thighs or breasts cooked to perfection and coated in sweet-savory sauce.
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve with rice, noodles, or alongside your favorite veggies.
- Customizable Flavors: Adjust sweetness, garlic, or ginger to match your taste preferences.
Benihana Teriyaki Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken thighs or breasts – juicy and tender protein
- Soy sauce – savory base for the teriyaki sauce
- Brown sugar – adds sweetness and caramelization
- Mirin or rice vinegar – balances flavors
- Garlic, minced – aromatic punch
- Ginger, minced – warm, zesty flavor
- Cornstarch – optional, for thickening sauce
- Sesame seeds – garnish for extra flavor and presentation
- Green onions – chopped, for garnish
How To Make Benihana Teriyaki Chicken
Step One: In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin (or rice vinegar), garlic, and ginger.
Step Two: Place the chicken into the marinade, cover and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
Step Three: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush or spray chicken thighs or breasts with oil and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and fully cooked.
Benihana Teriyaki Chicken Recipe Tips
- Marinate for Flavor: Let the chicken soak in the teriyaki marinade for 30–60 minutes to enhance flavor.
- Use Thighs for Juiciness: Chicken thighs stay tender and juicy, though breasts work too.
- Air Fryer or Skillet: Air frying gives a slightly healthier, crispy exterior, while skillet cooking adds a nice sear.
- Don’t Overcook: Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to avoid dryness.
- Thicken the Sauce: Use a cornstarch slurry if you prefer a thicker, glossy teriyaki sauce.
- Garnish for Presentation: Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions for authentic restaurant-style plating.
- Serve with Sides: Pair with steamed rice, noodles, or vegetables to complete the meal.
Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions
- Storing: Store leftover teriyaki chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure the chicken has cooled completely before storing to maintain flavor and texture.
- Freezing: Place cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
- Reheating: Reheat chicken in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or use an air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to maintain crispiness. You can also microwave, but the texture may be slightly softer.
Benihana Teriyaki Chicken Recipe Faqs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs? Yes! Chicken breasts work fine, though thighs stay juicier and more tender.
How long should I marinate the chicken? For best flavor, marinate the chicken 30–60 minutes. You can also marinate longer in the fridge for a deeper taste.
Can I cook this in an air fryer? Absolutely! Air frying gives the chicken a slightly crispy exterior while keeping it juicy inside.
How can I thicken the teriyaki sauce? Mix a small amount of cornstarch with water and simmer the sauce until it reaches your desired thickness.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, marinate the chicken in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
How should I store leftovers? Store cooked chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
More Copycat Benihana Recipes
Copycat Benihana Edamame Recipe
Benihana Shishito Pepper Copycat Recipe
Benihana Tempura Shrimp Copycat Recipe
Don’t Forget To Pin!
Share Your Creations! Are you active on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer enthusiasts gather and share your photos! I’m always thrilled to see what you’ve made. For those on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @forktospoon – I can’t wait to admire your culinary adventures!
Benihana Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Chicken thighs, or breasts
- 3/4 cup Soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons Mirin , or rice vinegar
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch, optional, for thickening sauce: 1 teaspoon mixed with 1 tablespoon water
- 2 teaspoons Sesame seeds, for garnish, optional
- 2 stalks Green onions, chopped (for garnish), optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix 3/4 cup Soy sauce, 1/4 cup Brown sugar, 3 tablespoons Mirin (or rice vinegar), 3 cloves Garlic and 1 tablespoon Ginger. Divide the sauce into 2 bowls. Set one bowl of the marinade aside, for making additional sauce.
- Place the 2 pounds Chicken thighs into one bowl of the marinade, cover and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush or spray chicken thighs or breasts with oil and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and fully cooked.
- For additional sauce. in a small bowl whisk together the water and 1 teaspoon Cornstarch, and whisk into the bowl of marinade that was set aside.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken, and garnish with 2 teaspoons Sesame seeds and 2 stalks Green onions.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
Share this recipe
We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!
