Chicken teriyaki tacos are a delicious fusion of Japanese and Mexican flavors, combining tender teriyaki chicken with fresh and vibrant taco ingredients. This recipe offers a unique twist on traditional tacos and is perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make chicken teriyaki tacos step by step, so you can enjoy this delightful dish at home.
Ingredients for Chicken Teriyaki Tacos
For the Teriyaki Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sake (or dry white wine)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Tacos:
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (such as cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- Lime wedges, for serving
How to Make Chicken Teriyaki Tacos
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, garlic, and ginger.
- Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly.
Step 3: Make the Teriyaki Sauce
- In a small saucepan, combine the cornstarch and water. Stir until the cornstarch is dissolved.
- Add the remaining marinade to the saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 4: Assemble the Tacos
- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
- Place some shredded lettuce on each tortilla, followed by slices of teriyaki chicken.
- Drizzle with the teriyaki sauce and top with diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, sour cream, and shredded cheese.
- Serve the tacos immediately, with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
About the Main Ingredients
Chicken
Chicken breasts are used in this recipe for their lean and tender meat. They soak up the flavors of the teriyaki marinade beautifully.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce adds saltiness and umami to the teriyaki marinade and sauce. Use reduced-sodium soy sauce if you prefer a less salty dish.
Mirin and Sake
Mirin is a sweet rice wine that adds sweetness and gloss to the teriyaki sauce. Sake (or dry white wine) adds depth of flavor and helps tenderize the chicken.
Vegetables
Lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro add freshness and crunch to the tacos. Customize the toppings to suit your taste.
Tortillas
Flour tortillas are used for these tacos, but you can use corn tortillas if you prefer. Warm them before assembling the tacos for the best texture.
