Keto Teriyaki Chicken

by KetoFocus.com

Quick, easy and better than takeout!

This keto teriyaki chicken recipe will be your favorite when you crave take-out. In this one pan recipe, chicken thighs are pan seared and tossed with vegetables and coated with a sweet and tangy low carb teriyaki sauce.

When I am wanting Asian flavors, I make this simple keto teriyaki chicken recipe rather than ordering take out. Other keto recipes that help curb my cravings are keto fried rice and my sesame chicken cooked in an instant pot.

holding a teriyaki glazed chicken thigh with chopsticks

Although you can get teriyaki chicken at any Japanese restaurant, it’s best to make it at home on the keto diet. Why? Because the teriyaki sauce a restaurant uses is higher in carbs – whether they make their own or use bottled. In this recipe, we make our own keto teriyaki sauce, which is easy to make and just involves whisking up a few ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Once you top this over your favorite keto noodles or cauliflower rice, you will forget the number to your favorite take-out place.

How to make keto teriyaki chicken

  1. Quickly whisk together keto teriyaki sauce. Set aside.
  2. Pan sear chicken thighs or chicken breasts in a skillet over medium high heat. Cook chicken on both sides until cooked through.
  3. Add your favorite vegetables and cook until softened.
  4. Pour in teriyaki sauce and cook until bubbly and thickened.
  5. Serve over cauliflower rice or keto noodles – kelp noodles, shirataki noodles, heart of palm noodles or zucchini.

ingredients image list for teriyaki chicken including soy sauce, tamari, liquid aminos, avocado oil, brown sugar substitute, apple cider vinegar, garlic, tomato paste, ginger, chicken thighs arrowroot powder

Key ingredients

  • Soy sauce/Tamari/Liquid Aminos – Depending on your preferences or allergies, you can choose either of these for you base to the teriyaki sauce. Soy sauce is your least expensive option and you can find it at most grocery stores. If you are gluten-free, you can use tamari or liquid aminos. For a soy free option, choose liquid aminos. Coconut aminos can also be used but it is higher in carbs.
  • Avocado oil – Used as a flavor vessel. Olive oil can be used as well. A teaspoon of sesame oil might add a little twist to the flavor.
  • Brown sweetener – Teriyaki sauce is general sweet and this is our keto sweetener that we use in this recipe. I use a sugar-free brown sugar substitute. Sugar-free maple syrup can also be used.
  • Apple cider vinegar – To give our sauce a tang, apple cider vinegar is added. Another option is to use white vinegar.
  • Garlic – Use for flavor. Minced garlic, garlic powder or garlic paste can all be used. If using garlic powder, use 1/2 teaspoon.
  • Tomato paste – My secret ingredient to enhance the flavor of the keto teriyaki sauce recipe. And another umami element besides the soy sauce. Tomato sauce can be used as a substitute.
  • Arrowroot powder – Works as a thickener for the sauce. It is low in carbs and thickens well without turning the sauce slimy. Xanthan gum could be used as a substitute; however, it can make the sauce slimy.
  • Sesame seeds – These are optional and are only added for appearance. You can add toasted sesame seeds, black or white sesame seeds.
  • Ginger – Added for flavor. Grated fresh ginger or ground ginger can work.
  • Chicken – I prefer to use chicken thighs because they are higher in fat and have more flavor but other cuts of chicken like chicken breast, tenderloin or even chicken legs will work. You can use skinless, boneless chicken or keep the skin on.
  • Vegetables – These are optional but some options for keto vegetables delicious in teriyaki stir fry are broccoli, asparagus, onion, mushrooms, green beans zucchini and bell pepper.

Keto Teriyaki Chicken Recipe Video

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Keto Chicken Teriyaki Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup soy sauce, tamari or liquid aminos
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar substitute
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon arrowroot powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger or 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast
  • Assorted vegetables, optional

Keto Teriyaki Chicken Directions

  • Keto Teriyaki Chicken
  •   
    a plate with chicken teriyaki and vegetables over cauliflower rice. The sauce is dripping down on the plate and more sauce is in the background.

    Keto teriyaki in the Instant Pot

    Technically, there are two ways you can cook your teriyaki chicken in the pressure cooker.

    1. Pressure Cook & Sauté Function: Mix the ingredients for the teriyaki sauce, leaving out the arrowroot powder for now. Add chicken thighs and vegetables to the liner of the Instant Pot. Add most of the sauce – reserve a tablespoon or two. Pressure cook high for 10 minutes.  Mix remaining sauce with arrowroot powder and add to cooked chicken and stir-fry vegetables. Using sauté mode, cook until sauce is bubbly and thickened.
    2. Sous Vide & Air Fryer: These instructions are for those who have the Instant Pot Duo Crisp model. This model has 11 functions and two lids, so it can sous vide and air fry! Here we marinade the chicken can cook it in a water bath sous vide style in the Instant Pot. Then to get a glazed crispy, saucy appearance, switch out the lids and use the air fryer lid to finish the dish.
      • Apply the pressure cooking lid. Set the Instant Pot to the ‘Sous Vide’ function. Cook at 145 degrees for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Then hit ‘Start’.
      • Add the chicken to the air fryer basket. Try to place in a single layer to allow for even cooking. Save remaining marinade.
      • Apply the air fryer Instant Pot lid. Set the Instant Pot to the ‘Air Fryer’ function. Cook at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
      • Remove chicken and set aside. Remove the air fryer basket and pour remaining marinade into the Instant Pot liner. Add chicken broth and set Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ function. Sauté on high until sauce is bubbly and thickened. Pour sauce over chicken teriyaki and serve with your favorite veggies or cauliflower rice.

     

     

    instant pot duo crisp control panel

    What to serve with teriyaki chicken

    Teriyaki chicken can be enjoyed on it’s own with just the sauce and the chicken; however, for a more complete meal, pile it on top of these:

    • Cauliflower rice
    • Hearts of palm noodles
    • Kelp noodles
    • Zucchini noodles (zoodles)
    • Shirataki noodles
    • Keto fried rice
    a skillet with four pieces of chicken thighs coated with sauce and topped with black sesame seeds sits next to a plate with cauliflower rice and more black sesame seeds

    Storage information

    Store any leftover keto chicken teriyaki in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze this meal and it makes an excellent meal prep dish that you can make ahead.

    Keto Teriyaki Chicken: FAQS

    Can I use this teriyaki recipe with other meats?

    Yes! instead of chicken, consider using salmon, steak or even shrimp.

    Can I use xanthan gum instead of arrowroot powder as the thickener?

    Yes. Xanthan gum can be used as a thickener in this teriyaki recipe; however only use 1/2 teaspoon. Any more and your sauce can get slimy.

    Can you eat teriyaki on keto?

    Generally, no because you don't know how much sugar most Japanese restaurants add into their teriyaki sauce. And if they use bottled, the amount could be more.

    Nutritional information & Macros

    Nutrition Information

    Keto Teriyaki Chicken

    Servings: 4

    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 208
    Fat 14g
    Protein 20.4g
    Total Carbs 2.1g
    Net Carbs 1.8g

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    6 Comments

      1. You must have a different model of instant pot. Some models don’t have the sous vide function. Just saute the chicken thighs and add in the sauce. Then cook until sauce has thickened.

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