Easy Gluten-Free Teriyaki Chicken (Dairy-Free)

A Delicious Takeout Alternative

Craving Asian takeout but need to keep things gluten-free? I’ve got the answer for you!

This gluten-free teriyaki chicken is an easy way to satisfy that craving at home. Tender pieces of chicken are coated in a homemade teriyaki sauce that’s made with with gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients.

Instead of regular soy sauce which contains gluten, the sauce uses gluten-free tamari (gluten-free soy sauce), along with garlic, ginger, a touch of sweetness, and a gluten-free starch to create a glossy, flavorful coating full of umami flavor.

The whole dish comes together in about 30 minutes for a simple weeknight dinner that the whole family will love. Serve it over steamed rice with your favorite veggies, and you’ve got a delicious gluten-free chicken teriyaki that’s every bit as satisfying as takeout!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Simple Ingredients: The handful of ingredients needed to make this homemade gluten-free teriyaki chicken are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Very Easy to Make: Preparing this easy Asian chicken dinner is just a matter of browning the chicken, then adding in the sauce ingredients and simmering until the sauce has thickened. Ready in just 30 minutes, weeknight dinners have never been so easy and yet so tasty!
• Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this chicken recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without issues.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this gluten-free chicken teriyaki recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Chicken: I like using chicken thighs because I find that chicken thighs tend to be juicier. Alternatively, you may use chicken breasts, chicken wings or chicken drumsticks if you prefer.
• Sesame Oil: Sesame oil imparts a beautiful Asian flavor to the dish, but if you don’t have it on hand, feel free to use other types of vegetable oil instead.
• Garlic & Ginger: Fresh garlic and fresh ginger add amazing flavor to the homemade teriyaki sauce, so make sure you don’t skip them.
• Soy Sauce: I used gluten-free soy sauce (gluten-free tamari sauce) to keep this recipe gluten-free while retaining the umami flavor. Alternatively, if you are allergic to soy, you can use equal amounts of coconut aminos. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular soy sauce instead.
• Honey: Honey adds a sweetness that is characteristic of teriyaki sauce. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can swap it out for maple syrup or agave nectar if you prefer.
• Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar adds a little acidity to balance the sweetness of the sauce. Alternatively, you may also use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar if you don’t have rice vinegar on hand.
• Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar adds a little more sweetness to the sauce. Feel free to reduce the amount slightly if you prefer a less sweet sauce.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch is a thickener that helps to thicken the teriyaki sauce and give it consistency. OMake sure to mix the cornstarch with the water to create a cornstarch slurry before adding it to the other ingredients to prevent the cornstarch from clumping together. If you are allergic to corn, you can use tapioca starch or arrowroot starch in equal amounts instead.

How to Make Gluten-Free Teriyaki Chicken:

Brown Chicken: Heat the sesame oil in a large nonstick skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the cut chicken pieces and cook until golden brown on all sides.

Add Garlic & Ginger: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

Dish by Dish Testing Notes:

• Heat Skillet Well Before Browning: To ensure a good, quick sear of the chicken pieces, make sure the skillet is heated before browning the chicken.
• Don’t Overcook Chicken: Make sure to cut the chicken into evenly-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Chicken thighs (which I use in this recipe) tend to be juicy and forgiving. However, if you’re using chicken breasts (which tend to be drier), make sure not to overcook the chicken in the first step when browning it, as it will continue cooking with the sauce later.
• Whisk Cornstarch into Liquid First: Make sure to create a slurry by whisking the starch into the water before adding it to the hot sauce (to prevent any uneven lumps). This will result in a smooth sauce.
• Let Sauce Thicken: The teriyaki sauce should not be watery. Allow the sauce simmer over low heat until it reaches a thick and glossy consistency. Do NOT boil the sauce aggressively or the chicken will overcook.
• Serve With: I recommend serving this homemade teriyaki chicken over fluffy white rice or for a lower carb option, you can use cauliflower rice instead. Compliment the chicken teriyaki bowls with veggies (such as broccoli, bell peppers, boy choy, etc). For garnishing, I like using chopped chives or chopped green onions and a sprinkle of white sesame seeds for a nice contrast.

Other Gluten-Free Chicken Recipes to Make:

• Easy Chicken Curry (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Orange Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Chicken and Broccoli (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Honey Garlic Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Gluten-Free Asian Recipes You’ll Love:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Gluten-Free Teriyaki Chicken (Dairy-Free)

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• Author: Felicia Lim
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free

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Description

This tasty gluten-free teriyaki chicken is an easy 30-minute dinner made with tender chicken thighs and a homemade gluten-free teriyaki sauce that’s sweet, savory, garlicky, and perfectly glossy. A delicious homemade alternative to Asian takeout, it’s naturally dairy-free too.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken thighs, cut into even bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1/2 cup gluten-free soy sauce (gluten-free tamari sauce)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

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Instructions

1. Brown Chicken: Heat the sesame oil in a large nonstick skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides.
2. Add Garlic & Ginger: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
3. Whisk Liquid Ingredients with Sugar: In a bowl, whisk together the gluten-free soy sauce, honey, apple vinegar, and brown sugar. In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch in the water until the cornstarch has dissolved (to create the cornstarch slurry). Add the cornstarch slurry to the bowl and stir.
4. Pour Sauce into Pan: Pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the chicken. Reduce the heat to low and stir to coat.
5. Simmer Until Thickened: Simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken in a glossy glaze, then remove from heat.
6. Garnish & Serve: Serve with veggies and rice.

Notes

Chicken: I like using chicken thighs because I find that chicken thighs tend to be juicier. Alternatively, you may use chicken breasts, chicken wings or chicken drumsticks if you prefer.

Sesame Oil: Sesame oil imparts a beautiful Asian flavor to the dish, but if you don’t have it on hand, feel free to use other types of vegetable oil instead.

Garlic & Ginger: Fresh garlic and fresh ginger add amazing flavor to the homemade teriyaki sauce, so make sure you don’t skip them.

Soy Sauce: I used gluten-free soy sauce (gluten-free tamari sauce) to keep this recipe gluten-free while retaining the umami flavor. Alternatively, if you are allergic to soy, you can use equal amounts of coconut aminos. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular soy sauce instead.

Honey: Honey adds a sweetness that is characteristic of teriyaki sauce. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can swap it out for maple syrup or agave nectar if you prefer.

Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar adds a little acidity to balance the sweetness of the sauce. Alternatively, you may also use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar if you don’t have rice vinegar on hand.

Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar adds a little more sweetness to the sauce. Feel free to reduce the amount slightly if you prefer a less sweet sauce.

Cornstarch: Cornstarch is a thickener that helps to thicken the teriyaki sauce and give it consistency. OMake sure to mix the cornstarch with the water to create a cornstarch slurry before adding it to the other ingredients to prevent the cornstarch from clumping together. If you are allergic to corn, you can use tapioca starch or arrowroot starch in equal amounts instead.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Category: chicken, Main Dishes
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian