Craving a delicious and satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes? Look no further. This Teriyaki Chicken Bowl recipe is your ticket to a healthy, flavorful dinner that the whole family will love. Forget takeout; this homemade version is packed with juicy chicken, a sweet and savory sauce, and your favorite fresh vegetables, all served over a bed of fluffy rice. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want something spectacular without the stress.
We’re making our teriyaki sauce from scratch with just a few pantry staples. It’s incredibly simple and tastes so much better than the store-bought kind. This recipe is designed to be easy, quick, and totally customizable. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
This isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a game-changer for your weekly meal rotation. It’s designed for the enthusiastic home cook who wants maximum flavor with minimum fuss.
- Incredibly Fast: From start to finish, you can have this amazing meal on the table in about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for those nights when you’re short on time but still want a wholesome, home-cooked meal.
- Simple, Flavorful Sauce: Our homemade teriyaki sauce uses basic ingredients like soy sauce, honey, ginger, and garlic. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory that clings beautifully to the tender chicken.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This recipe is a meal-prep dream. Cook the components ahead of time and assemble your bowls throughout the week for quick lunches or dinners. Looking for another great bowl idea? Try our easy taco bowl recipe (coming soon).
- Completely Customizable: Don’t be afraid to make it your own! Swap out the veggies, use a different protein, or serve it over quinoa instead of rice. The possibilities are endless.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this dish is in its simplicity. Here are the core components you’ll need to create a fantastic Teriyaki Chicken Bowl.
For the Teriyaki Sauce:
- Soy Sauce: The savory, umami base of our sauce. Use low-sodium if you prefer to control the saltiness.
- Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the soy sauce. Maple syrup is a great substitute.
- Rice Vinegar: Provides a subtle tang to brighten up the sauce.
- Fresh Ginger & Garlic: These aromatics are essential for a deep, authentic flavor.
- Cornstarch: This is our secret weapon for a perfectly thick sauce that coats every piece of chicken.
For the Bowls:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best. Cut them into uniform, bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Rice: We love using jasmine rice for its fluffy texture and fragrant aroma, but any white or brown rice works well. For a tropical twist, try our coconut pineapple rice.
- Vegetables: Broccoli and carrots are classic choices. We steam them lightly so they remain crisp-tender.
- Toppings & Garnishes: Sesame seeds and sliced green onions add a final touch of flavor and texture.
How to Make the Perfect Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
Follow these simple steps to create a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen. It’s a straightforward process that delivers incredible results every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Rice and Vegetables
Start by cooking your rice according to the package directions. While the rice is simmering, prepare your vegetables. You can steam, sauté, or roast them. For a super quick and healthy option, try making broccoli in the air fryer. It gets wonderfully crisp and is ready in minutes.
Step 2: Make the Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and water. In a separate, smaller bowl, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry. This prevents the cornstarch from clumping when you add it to the hot sauce.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat with a bit of sesame oil. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook until they are browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce & Assemble
Pour the soy sauce mixture into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Bring it to a simmer. Once it’s bubbling, slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to stir for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and beautifully coats the chicken. To assemble your Teriyaki Chicken Bowl, spoon a generous portion of rice into a bowl, top with the saucy teriyaki chicken, and add your steamed vegetables. Garnish with sesame seeds and freshly sliced green onions before serving.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: For juicy, tender chicken, cook it until it’s just done. Overcooking can make it dry.
- Adjust Sauce Thickness: If your sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a bit more of the cornstarch slurry.
- Cut Ingredients Uniformly: Cutting the chicken and vegetables into similar-sized pieces ensures they cook evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great choice as they are very flavorful and stay juicy. Simply cut them into bite-sized pieces and follow the recipe as directed.
The easiest way to thicken the sauce is with a cornstarch slurry. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water until smooth, then slowly whisk it into your simmering sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the soy sauce with gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. Ensure all other packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free as well.
Yes, this is a well-balanced and healthy meal. Making the sauce at home allows you to control the sugar and sodium content, and it’s packed with protein from the chicken and nutrients from the fresh vegetables.
This recipe is very versatile! Besides broccoli and carrots, great additions include steamed edamame, sautéed bell peppers and onions, snap peas, or roasted asparagus.
The Perfect Weeknight Dinner
This Teriyaki Chicken Bowl recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a versatile, delicious, and simple solution for any night of the week. It’s a dish you can feel good about serving and one that everyone will enjoy. Give it a try, and let us know what you think in the comments below. For more recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Recipe
Teriyaki Chicken Bowl: A Quick & Easy Weeknight Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Cook rice according to package directions. Steam or sauté your desired vegetables until crisp-tender.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the cooked chicken and bring to a simmer. In a separate small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water to make a slurry.
- Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking constantly. Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened and coats the chicken.
- Assemble the bowls by layering rice, teriyaki chicken, and steamed vegetables. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
Variations: Try this recipe with shrimp, beef, or tofu instead of chicken. Add other vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or edamame.
