Teriyaki's Cheesy Soulmate: Finding The Perfect Pair

Teriyaki sauce is a delicious condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes, from sandwiches to quesadillas. When it comes to cheese, there are several options that pair well with teriyaki. For those who like a kick of spice, Pepper Jack cheese is a popular choice, as its creamy texture and hint of heat complement the sweetness of teriyaki. Alternatively, for a more neutral flavour profile, cheeses like Swiss or Provolone offer a smooth and mild accent without overpowering the dish. Other options include Colby Jack, Mozzarella, and even goat cheese for those feeling adventurous. So, whether you're crafting a mouth-watering teriyaki burger or an experimental grilled cheese sandwich, these cheeses will surely elevate your culinary creations.

Teriyaki chicken grilled cheese

Ingredients:

• 2 large chicken breasts
• 2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 tbsp butter, softened
• 8 slices of pepper jack cheese
• 8 slices of bread

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• In a 9 x 9 glass baking dish, lay the chicken breasts flat.
• In a separate bowl, mix together the teriyaki sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and honey. Pour this mixture over the chicken breasts.
• Bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until the juices run clear.
• Remove the chicken from the oven and shred it with two forks. Allow the shredded chicken to soak up any remaining sauce in the baking dish.
• Butter 4 slices of bread and place them on a griddle over medium heat.
• Top each slice of bread with 2 slices of pepper jack cheese and an ample amount of shredded chicken.
• Butter the remaining 4 slices of bread and place them on top of the chicken.
• Once the cheese begins to melt and the bread is golden brown, after about 3-5 minutes, carefully flip the sandwiches.
• Cook for another 3-5 minutes on the other side and serve hot.

Tips:

• For an extra kick of spice, add some sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the chicken mixture.
• If you prefer your grilled cheese with a crunch, consider using a panini press or weighted skillet to flatten and crisp the sandwich as it cooks.
• For an extra indulgent touch, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise or softened butter on the outside of each slice of bread before grilling. This will add a rich, buttery flavour and an even crispier texture.
• For a vegetarian option, substitute the chicken with sliced portobello mushrooms or aubergine (eggplant). Marinate and cook the vegetables in the same way as the chicken, ensuring they are tender before assembling the sandwiches.

Variations:

• For a Mexican twist, replace the teriyaki sauce with salsa and use queso fresco cheese.
• Try using different types of cheese such as Monterey Jack, Mild Cheddar, Queso Quesadilla, or Asadero.

Teriyaki chicken quesadillas

Ingredients

• Chicken breast or chicken thighs
• Teriyaki sauce
• Cheese (cheddar, colby jack, monterey jack, mozzarella, or a Mexican-style blend)
• Flour tortillas
• Other fillings of your choice (e.g. bell peppers, pineapple, green onions, avocado)
• Condiments of your choice (e.g. salsa, sour cream, lime)

Method

• Prepare the teriyaki chicken by baking the chicken in the teriyaki sauce until cooked through.
• Shred the chicken and set aside some of the sauce for the quesadillas.
• Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and cook both sides of the tortillas.
• Assemble the quesadillas by sprinkling cheese on one tortilla, adding the chicken, drizzling a little sauce, and sprinkling more cheese.
• Place another tortilla on top and cook in the pan, flipping once, until the cheese is melted.
• Cut the quesadilla into triangles and serve immediately with your choice of condiments.

Tips

• You can use uncooked tortillas, but make sure to cook them before assembling the quesadillas.
• Try experimenting with different types of cheese to find your favourite combination.
• For a more authentic Mexican flavour, use a Mexican-style shredded cheese blend.

Teriyaki chicken sandwiches

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts or thighs
• Teriyaki sauce
• Cheese (Swiss, Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, Provolone, or Mexican-style shredded cheese)
• Pineapple rings (optional)
• Condiments (garlic aioli, mayonnaise, or sour cream)
• Salad ingredients (lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, salsa, or cilantro)
• Hamburger buns or tortillas

Method

Marinate the chicken in teriyaki sauce for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Grill the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side, then add the cheese and grill for another minute or until melted. If using pineapple rings, grill them for 2-3 minutes on each side. Spread your chosen condiment on the bun, then assemble the sandwich with the desired salad ingredients and chicken.

Variations

For a more authentic Japanese Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich, use a boneless chicken thigh with the skin on, dusted with potato starch, and fry in a pan. Top with an egg, cooked to your preference, and serve with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise in a hamburger bun. Alternatively, for a Mexican twist, use tortillas and fill with chicken, salsa, sour cream, avocado, and Mexican-style shredded cheese.

Teriyaki cheeseburgers

Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Pineapple slices
• Onion slices
• Colby Jack cheese
• Garlic salt
• Black pepper
• Hamburger buns
• Store-bought teriyaki sauce
• Brown sugar
• Ginger powder
• Garlic cloves (minced)
• Sesame oil
• Rice vinegar
• Cornstarch
• Mayonnaise

Method

• In a large bowl, mix the ground beef with salt, black pepper, and teriyaki sauce. Shape into large or medium-sized patties.
• Spread teriyaki sauce over each patty.
• Prepare your grill.
• Grill the patties to your desired doneness, turning halfway and spreading additional teriyaki sauce.
• Minutes before the patties are done, place pineapple slices and onions on the grill.
• Lightly toast the hamburger buns on the grill.
• Top the patties with cheese and let it melt.
• Remove everything from the grill.
• Spread mayonnaise and teriyaki sauce over the top bun.
• Layer the bottom bun, onion, patty, pineapple slice, and top bun.

Tips and Variations

• You can make your own teriyaki sauce by adding water and cornstarch to a measuring cup and whisking until smooth. Then, add all the ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking often. Lower the temperature and continue whisking for a few minutes.
• For a more neutral flavour, you can use Swiss or provolone cheese. For a spicier option, try pepper jack, habanero jack, or chipotle cheddar cheese.
• You can also add avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions to your burger for extra texture and flavour.

Teriyaki chicken tacos

Ingredients:

• 2 large chicken breasts
• 2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 tbsp butter, softened
• 8 slices of pepper jack cheese
• 8 small flour tortillas
• 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 cup pineapple salsa
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1/2 fresh pineapple, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 1/2 jalapeño, seeded and stemmed
• 1 mango, optional
• Juice of one lime
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Method:

• In a baking dish, lay the chicken breasts and pour over a mixture of teriyaki sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and honey.
• Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until the juices run clear.
• Shred the chicken with two forks and let it soak up the sauce.
• Prepare the pineapple salsa by combining diced jalapeno, bell pepper, onion, pineapple, mango, lime juice, and cilantro in a large bowl.
• In a small saucepan, make the teriyaki sauce by combining soy sauce, water, ginger, garlic, honey, and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer.
• In a separate bowl, whisk cornstarch and water, then slowly stir into the saucepan while whisking constantly until thickened.
• Toss the shredded chicken with the teriyaki sauce.
• Heat the tortillas and add lettuce and shredded cheddar cheese.
• Top the tortillas with the teriyaki chicken, pineapple salsa, and additional toppings of your choice.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips:

• You can use store-bought teriyaki sauce and pineapple salsa as a shortcut.
• For a crispier texture, grill the tortillas before adding the fillings.
• If you prefer a different type of cheese, Monterey Jack, Mild Cheddar, Queso Quesadilla, and Asadero cheeses are also great options.

Frequently asked questions