No need to rely on take-out – this easy paleo teriyaki chicken will satisfy all your cravings! Only 3 ingredients needed…
Move over takeout.
Growing up, my only experience with Asian food was take-out. And that was very rarely. At home, my crunchy-before-it-was-cool mom served up traditional American dishes like pizza and macaroni and cheese, but Asian food wasn’t on the menu that I can remember. Until we went to Grandma’s house.
It seemed tradition to get Chinese take-out while on Christmas vacation at Grandma’s. In fact, I don’t think I ever had homemade Asian food until going to college. And guess what? Just like any food, homemade is 100x better…
If you aren’t sure about that, let this easy paleo teriyaki chicken win you over.
Paleo teriyaki chicken.
Back in my take-out with Grandma days, teriyaki chicken was one of my favorite dishes. There’s just something about the pairing of slightly sweet with savory that makes your taste buds sing. With my love for teriyaki and my love for making old favorites paleo, the cookbook Asian Paleo is right up my alley.
This recipe for paleo teriyaki chicken is used from that cookbook with permission from the author (there’s even a recipe for homemade teriyaki sauce). It feels great knowing that I’m enjoying one of my favorite recipes, but without any unnecessary ingredients.
What you need.
Chicken. Boneless chicken thighs are perfect for this paleo teriyaki chicken recipe. I recommend only getting organic chicken, but you do you. If you don’t really like chicken thighs, you can use any other part you like – breasts, drumsticks, wings – just keep in mind that the cooking time might need to be adjusted.
Oil. I like to use avocado oil for this recipe, since it really doesn’t have any flavor. Coconut oil is good too, if you make sure that your coconut oil isn’t coconut tasting. Of course, if you like the taste of coconut, feel free to use it! Olive oil will also work, it will just change the flavor a little.
If you aren’t worried about dairy, you can use butter.
Sauce. While you can make your own teriyaki sauce, there are a few good options if you’d like a pre-made version. Primal Kitchen no-soy teriyaki sauce and Coconut Secret coconut teriyaki sauce are both good options. You can buy them both on Amazon, though I’m sure some health food grocery stores will carry them, too.
Serving options. I originally made this paleo teriyaki chicken with a sauted kale salad (you can see it in the photos), but there are many different serving options! Cauliflower rice would be delicious, as well as roasted brussels sprouts, sauteed green beans, or roasted broccoli. If you eat quinoa, you can make quinoa “fried rice” too!
More paleo dinners.
If you’re in search of more delicious and easy paleo dinners, here are a few more tried and true family favorites…
- Crispy Coconut Pan-Fried Salmon
- Easy, Paleo Sweet & Sour Chicken
- Chicken Fajitas in the Instant Pot
- Bulgogi: Korean BBQ Beef
- Easy Instant Pot Eye of Round Roast
- Meatloaf Sliders
- Fall-Apart Tender Ribs in the Instant Pot
- Simple Herbed Red Drum

In the recipe card I’ve linked to some of the products from my affiliate partners that I like to use. Purchasing through these links won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks!
Paleo Teriyaki Chicken with Wilted Kale Salad
Free from grain, gluten, eggs, dairy & sugar.
Ingredients
- 4 organic boneless chicken thighs
- sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1-2 tablespoons avocado or coconut oil
- 1/3 cup paleo-safe teriyaki sauce
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
Place a rack on the prepared baking sheet and grease the rack with oil.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper, to taste, and place skin-side up on the rack.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until the skin is golden-browned.
Remove the chicken from the oven and brush with oil and teriyaki sauce. Turn the oven to broil and bake for another 2-3 minutes, or until the skin is golden.
Wait for 5 minutes before slicing the chicken and serving.
Notes
Teriyaki chicken recipe used with permission from Asian Paleo.







This Chicken Kale Salad looks so delicious and easy to make!
Thank you! It really is super easy. :)
Those greens look delicious. I’m back and forth on my green intake -sometimes good, sometimes not great. I’m in that latter area now so this looks like a great way to get it back!
Yeah… I’m the same. Haha. But I’ve been enjoying this kale salad with and without the teriyaki chicken. :) It’s great with an egg for breakfast!
Looks like a tasty meal, we are big fans of teriyaki as well. The salad is not what I’d first think to pair but sounds tasty.
Thanks, Caroline! I could probably pair a kale salad with just about anything. Haha!
Made this for lunch and it was soo good!! Thank you!!
You’re so welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it! :)
This sounds so much better than takeout. I love the sound of the wilted kale salad. Can’t wait to make this recipe.
Soooo much better than takeout! I hope you enjoy it, Stephanie! :)
I can’t wait to make this for dinner this week! Such a delicious looking meal that I know my family will love!
I hope you enjoy it, Jessica!
Teriyaki is one of my favorites. This looks marvelous!
Thanks, Andrea!
This looks SOOO good, and I’ve been loving this cookbook! Love that we can make paleo teriyaki sauce at home.
Yes! I’m so excited about it!
Every single recipe I make Of Chi Yu’s is spot on and so delicious! I can;t wait to try this one too!
I know! I’ve been loving them, too!
I just got some purple kale from my farm share. I’m going to try this kale salad with it – sounds so delicious!
I bet it would be lovely in this recipe, Annemarie!
A popular sauce made healthier that is simple and full of flavor = my kind of meal! What a great recipe to share from a cookbook that sounds amazing!
Thanks, Laura!
You can’t beat teriyaki chicken and that kale salad is right up my alley too!
They go soooo well together!
Love the flavours here. The wilted kale is so nice with chicken and this spice combination. Never been a fan of raw kale, but cooked is always amazing.
Thanks, Ivana! I’m not a huge fan of raw kale, either. But I sure do love it cooked in things!
Thank you so much, Raia! The chicken looks so moist and delicious. Totally love the combo!
Thank you so much for letting me review your book, ChihYu! The teriyaki chicken is SO delicious!
I love teriyaki and this looks absolutely delicious. I love ChihYu’s recipes!
Thanks, Stacey! Her book is full of so much goodness!
I really need to get her book, this looks delicious
It’s SO good! You won’t regret it!