Teriyaki Chicken & Cucumbers
Submitted by pooker
Pan-seared teriyaki chicken sliced over a cool, tangy cucumber salad with sesame oil, ginger and a hint of red pepper heat. A light, refreshing dinner that balances warm and cold in every bite.
YIELD
4 servingsPREP
15 minCOOK
15 minREADY
60 minWarm, savory chicken on a bed of cold, crisp cucumbers. The contrast is what makes this dish sing.
Boneless chicken breasts get a quick 30-minute soak in a marinade of teriyaki sauce, toasted sesame oil, fresh ginger and garlic, then sear in a hot nonstick skillet until golden.
While the chicken marinates, thinly sliced cucumbers chill in a bright dressing of apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and crushed red pepper flakes that hits sweet, sour and spicy all at once.
Slice the chicken into strips, pile it on the cool cucumbers, and you’ve got a dinner that feels light but absolutely satisfies.
Pro Tips
- Bias-slice the cucumbers thin so they absorb more of the vinegar dressing and stay crisp without being crunchy.
- Don’t skip the toasted sesame oil in the marinade. It adds a nutty depth that regular sesame oil can’t match.
- Let the cucumber salad chill while the chicken marinates so both components are ready at the same time.
- Slice the cooked chicken into bite-size strips rather than serving whole breasts. More surface area means more teriyaki flavor in every mouthful.
Ingredients
Directions
Place chicken in a plastic bag set in a shallow dish.
For marinade, in a small bowl stir together teriyaki sauce, sesame oil, gingerroot, garlic and ½ teaspoon sugar.
Pour over chicken in bag. Close bag.
Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, turning bag occasionally.
Drain chicken, discarding marinade.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine cucumbers, vinegar, 1½ teaspoon sugar, salt and crushed red pepper.
Cover and chill until serving time.
In a large nonstick skillet cook chicken in hot oil over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once or until chicken is no longer pink.
Remove and cut chicken into bite-size strips.
To serve, arrange cucumbers on a plate.
Top with chicken. Garnish with red peppers, if desired.
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