01 -
First things first, chop up your chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. While you're at it, mince that garlic and grate your ginger. Get your broccoli florets ready too. I usually get a little assembly line going on my cutting board—it makes everything feel less chaotic. This is where I sometimes forget to grab *all* the ingredients from the fridge, leading to a frantic search mid-cook!
02 -
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. In a separate tiny bowl, whisk the cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water until it's smooth. This is your thickening slurry. Don't add the cornstarch directly to the hot sauce, trust me on this; you'll get clumps, and nobody wants lumpy teriyaki. I’ve made that oops more times than I care to admit!
03 -
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat with a little oil. Once it's shimmering, add your chicken pieces. Cook them until they're nicely browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. You want a good sear on them, that's where the flavor really builds. My kitchen smells amazing at this point, all savory and promising!
04 -
While the chicken is cooking, boil your ramen noodles according to package directions. Drain them well. I usually do this in a separate pot at the same time as the chicken. Just keep an eye on them; nobody likes soggy noodles!
05 -
Once the chicken is cooked, toss in the broccoli florets. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they're bright green and tender-crisp. Now, pour in your prepared teriyaki sauce. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes until it thickens slightly. This is when I usually get a little impatient, but a minute or two makes all the difference for that glossy coating!
06 -
Add the drained noodles to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together until the noodles and chicken are completely coated in that beautiful, thick teriyaki sauce. Drizzle with a tiny bit of sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds right before serving. The aroma of the sesame oil just elevates everything, making it look and smell like it came from a fancy takeout spot!