Weeknights can be such a drag, right? You’re tired, the kids are hungry, and the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share this Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl with you! It’s one of those magical recipes that feels super fancy but comes together in a snap. I’m Anna, by the way, and I’m absolutely obsessed with making chicken dishes easy, joyful, and incredibly tasty. My kitchen journey has always been about finding those go-to recipes that make busy days feel like a treat, and this teriyaki chicken is definitely a star player.
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Why You’ll Love This Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
Seriously, this recipe is a lifesaver for busy weeknights! You get that amazing, sweet-and-savory teriyaki flavor without any of the fuss. Here’s why it’s going to become your new favorite:
- Super Speedy: We’re talking a total time of about 25 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for when hunger strikes fast!
- Incredibly Simple: The homemade teriyaki sauce comes together in minutes while the chicken cooks. No complicated steps here.
- Packed with Flavor: That balance of sweet brown sugar and honey with savory soy sauce is just *chef’s kiss*.
- Healthier Twist: Using low-sodium soy sauce and lean chicken breast makes this a guilt-free indulgence.
- Customizable: Serve it with your favorite rice and whatever veggies you have on hand. Easy peasy!
Gathering Your Ingredients for the Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
Alright, let’s get our ingredients ready! The beauty of this Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl is that it uses pretty standard pantry staples, plus some fresh goodies. Having everything prepped makes the cooking process smooth sailing. Trust me, you’ll want to have all your ducks in a row before you even turn on the stove for this one. It makes everything so much more enjoyable!
Here’s what you’ll need to grab:
| Ingredient | Amount | Preparation |
| Boneless, skinless chicken breasts | 4 | Cut into 1-inch cubes |
| Olive oil | 1 Tbsp. | For sautéing |
| Low sodium soy sauce | 1/2 cup | |
| Water | 1/2 cup | |
| Packed light brown sugar | 3 Tbsp. | |
| Rice vinegar | 2 Tbsp. | |
| Sesame oil (optional) | 1/2 tsp. | For extra flavor |
| Ground ginger | 1 tsp. | |
| Minced garlic | 2 tsp. | Fresh or jarred |
| Honey | 2 Tbsp. | |
| Cornstarch | 3 tsp. | For thickening the sauce |
| Sesame seeds | For garnish | Toasted for best flavor |
| Green onions | For garnish | Chopped |
| Rice | For serving | White or brown, cooked |
| Vegetables | For serving | Steamed or stir-fried |
Crafting Your Perfect Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl: Step-by-Step
Now for the fun part – making this amazing Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl! It’s really quite straightforward, and before you know it, you’ll have a delicious, homemade meal ready to go. The key is to have everything prepped and ready, so let’s get cooking!
Preparing the Chicken
First things first, grab a large skillet and pop it on medium-high heat. Add that tablespoon of olive oil and let it get nice and hot. Now, carefully add your cubed chicken. You want to cook it until it’s beautifully browned on all sides and, super important, completely cooked through. No one wants pink chicken, right? Just keep stirring it around until it’s no longer pink inside. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
Making the Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
While your chicken is doing its thing, let’s whip up that glorious teriyaki sauce. Grab a medium-sized mixing bowl. Whisk together the soy sauce, water, honey, packed light brown sugar, rice vinegar, and that optional sesame oil if you’re using it. Now, toss in the ground ginger and minced garlic. Give it a good whisk. The secret weapon here is the cornstarch; whisk it in super well so there are no lumps. This is what’s going to make our sauce wonderfully thick and glossy!
Bringing It All Together
Once your chicken is perfectly browned and cooked through, it’s time to unite everything! Pour that incredible homemade teriyaki sauce right into the skillet with the chicken. Keep stirring everything together as the sauce heats up. You’ll see it start to bubble and thicken up beautifully. Just keep cooking and stirring for a couple of minutes until the sauce coats the chicken nicely and has that perfect, syrupy consistency. Oh, the smell is just divine at this point!
Serving Your Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
And just like that, you’re ready to serve! Grab your bowls and start with a generous scoop of fluffy rice – white or brown, whatever you fancy. Spoon that gorgeous teriyaki chicken and its luscious sauce right over the top. Add a pile of your favorite steamed veggies on the side for a complete meal. Finally, sprinkle on some toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions for that pop of color and flavor. It looks as good as it tastes!
Tips for the Best Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
Want your homemade Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl to be absolutely perfect? I’ve picked up a few tricks over the years that make a huge difference. First off, definitely use low-sodium soy sauce. It gives you all that savory flavor without making the dish too salty, and you can always add a splash more if needed. Also, don’t be afraid to taste your sauce before you add it to the chicken! If you like it a little sweeter, a tiny bit more honey or brown sugar can be added. If it’s too thick when it’s cooking, just splash in a little more water or soy sauce. And a big one: don’t overcrowd your skillet when you’re browning the chicken. Cook it in batches if you have to! Overcrowding steams the chicken instead of browning it, and we want that nice sear.
Frequently Asked Questions about Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
Got questions about making the best Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl? I’ve got answers! It’s a pretty forgiving recipe, but here are a few things people often ask.
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are wonderfully forgiving and stay super moist. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces, and they’ll likely take a minute or two longer to brown and cook through than the breasts. The flavor will be amazing, and you might even find them a bit more tender!
Q: How long does the teriyaki sauce take to thicken?
Once you add the sauce to the hot skillet with the chicken, it usually thickens up within about 2-4 minutes. Just keep stirring gently over medium heat. You’ll see it go from watery to glossy and syrupy. If it’s not thickening enough, you can make a tiny bit more cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 Tbsp water) and whisk it in, cooking for another minute.
Q: What vegetables go well with this Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl?
Oh, the possibilities are endless! Broccoli is a classic, and it steams up beautifully. Snow peas or snap peas add a nice crunch. Sliced bell peppers (any color!) are great, and some folks love adding sliced carrots or even some sautéed mushrooms. Just make sure they’re cooked to your liking before adding them to your bowl.
Q: Can I make the homemade teriyaki sauce ahead of time?
You sure can! You can whisk all the sauce ingredients together (except the cornstarch) and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two. When you’re ready to cook, just whisk in the cornstarch right before adding it to the pan. It makes getting dinner on the table even faster!
Storing and Reheating Your Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
Leftovers of this delicious Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl are a fantastic thing! They store well and are just as tasty the next day. Here’s the best way to keep them:
| Storage Method | Instructions |
| Refrigerating Leftovers | Let the chicken and rice mixture cool down a bit, then transfer it to an airtight container. It should last in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Keep the rice and chicken together; it makes reheating easier. |
| Reheating Safely | The microwave is your friend here! Place a serving in a microwave-safe dish. Reheat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. You can also gently reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. |
Estimated Nutritional Information for Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl
Just a heads-up, this nutritional info is an estimate and can vary based on exactly what you use and how much you serve. Think of it as a general guideline!
| Nutrient | Approximate Value (per serving) |
| Calories | 214 kcal |
| Fat | |
| Protein | |
| Carbohydrates |
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Amazing Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl in 25 Mins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl recipe offers a quick and delicious homemade teriyaki sauce served over tender chicken and rice, perfect for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 Tbsp. packed light brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. sesame oil (optional)
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
- 2 tsp. minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 3 tsp. cornstarch
- sesame seeds for garnish
- chopped green onions for garnish
- rice for serving
- steamed veggies for serving
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet on medium high heat.
- Add cubed chicken and brown chicken until cooked through and it is no longer pink.
- While chicken is browning, prepare your teriyaki sauce. In a medium size mixing bowl whisk together soy sauce, water, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and cornstarch.
- Once chicken is browned and cooked through, add your homemade teriyaki sauce to your skillet and continue to cook stirring until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve immediately with white or brown rice and vegetables of your choice. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion.
Notes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on Modernmealmakeover.com should only be used as a general guideline.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken, Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cook
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximate)
- Calories: 214 kcal