Craving a delicious and easy-to-make dinner? Look no further than this mouthwatering Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki! Our recipe is bursting with flavor, thanks to a combination of fresh sweet onions, teriyaki sauce, honey, and garlic. You’ll only need 30 minutes to make this meal that’s sure to be a hit with everyone in the family. Make sure to serve this flavorful dish over a bed of hot steamed rice for a complete meal. Enjoy!

What is Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki

Sweet onion chicken teriyaki is a tasty Asian-inspired dish that combines the sweetness of sweet onions with the salty-sweet flavor of teriyaki sauce, honey, and garlic. This delicious recipe is quick and easy to make, making it an ideal dinner for busy weeknights. The combination of flavors will please everyone in the family, and each bite of this savory dish will have you coming back for more.

History of sweet onion chicken teriyaki

Sweet onion chicken teriyaki is believed to have originated in Japan, where it has been a popular dish for many years. It is thought to have evolved from classic teriyaki recipes that used chicken as the main ingredient. Over time, sweet onions were added to the savory mixture of soy sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic, and mirin. The combination of flavors created a unique dish that has since become a favorite around the world.

Ingredients

Chicken

Chicken is the main ingredient in sweet onion chicken teriyaki and is an excellent source of lean protein. The chicken should be cut into bite-sized pieces before cooking and can be either boneless, skinless breasts or thighs. For best results, marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, honey, and garlic for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will help to create a flavorful and tender dish.

Teriyaki sauce

Teriyaki sauce is a key component of sweet onion chicken teriyaki. This savory-sweet sauce is made with soy sauce, sugar, mirin, and ginger. It helps to bring the dish together and adds a unique flavor profile that complements the other ingredients. For best results, use store-bought teriyaki sauce or make your own by combining all of the ingredients in a small saucepan and simmering for 10 minutes.

Sweet onion

Sweet onions are the star of this dish and add a unique depth of flavor. They are milder than regular onions and have a sweet, slightly pungent taste that pairs perfectly with the teriyaki sauce. For best results, slice or dice them into small pieces before adding them to the pan with the chicken. The sweetness of the onions will balance out the salty-sweet flavor of the teriyaki sauce.

Vegetables (optional)

Vegetables are an optional, but highly recommended, addition to sweet onion chicken teriyaki. They can be added during the cooking process or served as a side dish. Popular vegetable options include red and green bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, snow peas, bok choy, and broccoli. All vegetables should be cut into small pieces to ensure that they cook evenly.

Rice (optional)

Rice is an optional, but delicious, accompaniment to sweet onion chicken teriyaki. It provides a tasty and filling base for the dish and helps to soak up all of the savory-sweet flavors. For best results, use jasmine or basmati rice and cook according to package instructions. The cooked rice can then be served as a side with the chicken teriy aki.

How to make sweet onion chicken teriyaki

Preparing the chicken

1. Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces and placing in a bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger to make the marinade. Pour over the chicken and stir to coat evenly. Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.

3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.

4. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken to the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

Preparing the sweet onion

1. Start by slicing or dicing the sweet onion into small pieces.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.

3. Once the oil is hot, add the sweet onion to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes or until softened and lightly browned.

4. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet with the sweet onion and stir to combine.

Cooking the teriyaki sauce

1. In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, sugar, mirin, and ginger.

2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook for 10 minutes or until thickened.

3. Once the sauce has thickened, remove from heat and pour over the cooked chicken and sweet onion in the skillet.

4. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the chicken is completely coated in the teriyaki sauce.

Cooking the vegetables and rice (optional)

1. Start by cutting the vegetables of your choice into small pieces. Popular options include red and green bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, snow peas, bok choy, and broccoli.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.

3. Once the oil is hot, add the vegetables to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned and softened.

4. Add the cooked vegetables to the skillet with the chicken and teriyaki sauce. Stir to combine and cook an additional 2-3 minutes or until everything is heated through.

Serving suggestions

Ways to serve sweet onion chicken teriyaki

Sweet onion chicken teriyaki can be served in a variety of ways. For an easy weeknight meal, serve it over a bed of steamed rice and top with sesame seeds and green onions. It’s also delicious served over noodles or mashed potatoes, or piled high on a warm pita pocket for a tasty sandwich. For a lighter option, serve the teriyaki chicken over a bed of cooked quinoa or cauliflower rice.

Side dishes that go well with sweet onion chicken teriyaki

Side dishes that go well with sweet onion chicken teriyaki include steamed white or brown rice, cooked quinoa, mashed potatoes, noodles, and even cauliflower rice. For a light and flavorful side dish, try adding some freshly steamed or stir-fried vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, snow peas, bok choy or broccoli. To add a bit of crunch, consider serving the teriyaki chicken with some freshly made stir-fried greens.

Health benefits

Nutritional value of sweet onion chicken teriyaki

Sweet onion chicken teriyaki is a nutritious and flavorful meal that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. One serving of sweet onion chicken teriyaki provides around 300 calories, 12 grams of fat, 33 grams of protein, and 15 grams of carbohydrates (including 2 grams of dietary fiber). Additionally, it is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, and several B vitamins.

Impact on overall health

Sweet onion chicken teriyaki can be a healthy addition to any diet, as it is low in fat and carbohydrates while providing a good amount of protein and vitamins. The high protein content helps to keep you feeling full for longer periods of time, helping to reduce your overall calorie intake. Additionally, the various vitamins and minerals found in sweet onion chicken teriyaki help to boost the immune system and provide important nutrients for healthy skin, bones, teeth, and hair.

Conclusion

Sweet onion chicken teriyaki is a delicious and nutritious meal that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. It is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. The low-fat and low-carb content of the dish helps to keep you feeling full for longer periods of time while also providing important vitamins and minerals to the body. Sweet onion chicken teriyaki can be served over rice, noodles, mashed potatoes, quinoa, or cauliflower rice with a variety of side dishes for added flavor and nutrition.