Craving a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner that truly satisfies? Look no further! This irresistible homemade Teriyaki Chicken Bowl recipe is your answer. It features tender, juicy chicken coated in a rich, sweet, and savory homemade teriyaki sauce, all nestled over fluffy rice. Customize your Teriyaki Chicken Bowl with your favorite fresh or steamed vegetables, making it a wholesome and complete meal ready in under 30 minutes.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a game-changer for busy home cooks. Here are a few reasons you’ll adore this easy Teriyaki Chicken Bowl:
- Incredibly Fast Weeknight Dinner: It comes together in less than 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings.
- Tastes Better Than Takeout: Enjoy authentic, fresh flavors superior to your local Japanese restaurant.
- Simple, Delicious Homemade Sauce: Originating in 17th-century Japan as a cooking technique, the rich culinary history highlights the origins and ingredients of teriyaki sauce. Our easy-to-make teriyaki sauce uses pantry staples and is free from questionable additives.
- Highly Customizable: Easily adapt with your favorite proteins and a wide array of fresh or frozen vegetables.
- Common Pantry Ingredients: You likely have most of the ingredients on hand already, making shopping a breeze.
- Excellent for Meal Prepping: Prepare a big batch at the start of the week for healthy, convenient lunches or dinners.
Ingredients
Crafting a delicious Teriyaki Chicken Bowl starts with fresh, quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need for this flavorful dish:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- For the Homemade Teriyaki Sauce:
- 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
- For Serving & Garnish:
- Cooked rice (white or brown)
- Steamed vegetables (e.g., broccoli, carrots)
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Notes & Substitutions
You have flexibility with many of these ingredients! For the chicken, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully for extra juiciness, though they may need a minute or two longer to cook. Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended for better flavor control, but regular works if that’s what you have.
You can use either light or dark brown sugar for the sauce, or substitute maple syrup for a slightly different sweetness. While optional, a touch of sesame oil truly elevates the authentic flavor of the teriyaki.
Feel free to use fresh ginger and garlic for an even stronger, more vibrant taste. For vegetables, any fresh or frozen steamed options, like bell peppers or snap peas, are fantastic additions. If you love a bit of heat, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes stirred into the sauce adds a nice kick to your Teriyaki Chicken Bowl.
Equipment
You won’t need any fancy gadgets for this Teriyaki Chicken Bowl. Here are the basic kitchen tools that will help you prepare this recipe with ease:
- Large skillet
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Instructions
Creating this delightful Teriyaki Chicken Bowl is a breeze with our simple, step-by-step instructions. Follow along to achieve perfect results every time.
Prep Your Ingredients
Begin by getting everything ready. First, place your boneless, skinless chicken breasts on a clean cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the chicken into even, bite-sized cubes, aiming for pieces roughly 1-inch in size. Evenly sized pieces ensure everything cooks through at the same rate. Next, grab a medium-sized mixing bowl. Into this bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for your homemade teriyaki sauce: the low sodium soy sauce, water, honey, packed light brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil (if using), ground ginger, minced garlic, and cornstarch. Whisk vigorously until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth, with no lumps.
Cook the Chicken
Now, it’s time to cook the chicken. Place a large skillet on your stovetop and add one tablespoon of olive oil. Turn the heat to medium-high. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, carefully add the cubed chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is beautifully browned on all sides and cooked through, showing no pink inside. To ensure safety and proper doneness, the USDA recommends cooking all poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C). If there’s any excess liquid that collects in the skillet, you can carefully drain it before the next step for a better sauce consistency.
Thicken the Teriyaki Sauce
With your chicken perfectly cooked, it’s time to transform it with our homemade teriyaki sauce. Give your prepared teriyaki sauce mixture another quick whisk just before adding it to ensure the cornstarch hasn’t settled. Pour the entire sauce mixture directly into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly with your whisk or a spoon. As it heats, the cornstarch will activate, causing the sauce to thicken beautifully. Continue to cook and stir for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency and generously coats every piece of the chicken. This rich sauce is the star of your Teriyaki Chicken Bowl.
Serve Your Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
Your delicious Teriyaki Chicken Bowl is now ready to enjoy! Serve the saucy teriyaki chicken immediately over a warm bed of freshly cooked white or brown rice. Arrange your favorite steamed vegetables, such as vibrant broccoli florets or sliced carrots, alongside the chicken and rice in the bowl. For a final flourish, sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions. If you like extra sauce, feel free to drizzle a little more of that homemade goodness over your Teriyaki Chicken Bowl before serving. Enjoy this quick, flavorful meal!
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Making your Teriyaki Chicken Bowl even better is easy with these simple tips:
- Evenly Cut Chicken: Always aim for uniform chicken cubes. This ensures every piece cooks at the same rate, preventing some from drying out while others are still undercooked.
- Hot Skillet: Start with a properly heated skillet. A hot pan creates a lovely sear on the chicken, locking in juices and adding extra flavor.
- Avoid Overcooking: Chicken breast can dry out quickly. Cook just until it’s no longer pink to keep it tender and juicy for your Teriyaki Chicken Bowl.
- Sauce Consistency: If your sauce is too thin, you can add a small slurry of cornstarch and water. If it becomes too thick, a splash of water or soy sauce will thin it out.
- Salt Content: Since soy sauce is quite salty, avoid adding extra salt to your chicken. Taste the finished dish and adjust only if necessary.
- Flavor Boost: For the most robust flavor in your Teriyaki Chicken Bowl, use fresh grated ginger and freshly minced garlic instead of powdered versions.
Serving, Storage & Variations
This versatile Teriyaki Chicken Bowl is as flexible as it is delicious!
Serving Suggestions
Beyond white or brown rice, consider serving your Teriyaki Chicken Bowl with quinoa or noodles for a different texture. Amp up the vegetable content by mixing in matchstick carrots, fresh snap peas, zucchini ribbons, or colorful bell peppers directly into the bowl. For a heartier meal, pair it with Homemade Chicken Fried Rice instead of plain rice.
Storage & Meal Prep
For best results, store the teriyaki chicken and sauce in one airtight container, and the cooked rice and steamed vegetables in separate containers. This separation helps maintain texture and freshness. When refrigerated properly, your Teriyaki Chicken Bowl components will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, warm the chicken and sauce separately on the stovetop or in the microwave, then warm the rice and vegetables. Reassembling them just before eating gives you the freshest-tasting meal. This makes it perfect for easy meal prepping!
Flavor Variations
Get creative with your Teriyaki Chicken Bowl! For a spicy kick, stir in a dash of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes into the sauce. Add some delightful crunch by topping your bowl with toasted cashews, chopped peanuts, or thinly sliced water chestnuts. Don’t limit yourself to chicken; this amazing teriyaki sauce is also fantastic with other proteins like flaky salmon, lean beef strips, or even plant-based options like firm tofu or tempeh.
Nutrition
Enjoying a homemade Teriyaki Chicken Bowl provides a high-protein, satisfying meal. You can easily make it even healthier by choosing low-sodium soy sauce and loading up on plenty of fresh or steamed vegetables. This dish provides essential nutrients for a balanced diet, offering a delicious way to fuel your body.
| servingSize | calories | fatContent | saturatedFatContent | cholesterolContent | sodiumContent | carbohydrateContent | fiberContent | sugarContent | proteinContent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 cup | 214 kcal | 8.3 g | 1.3 g | 29.5 mg | 795 mg | 23.9 g | 1.1 g | 17.6 g | 12 g |
Nutrition facts are estimates based on a typical serving and can vary significantly depending on specific ingredients, portion sizes, and preparation methods.
FAQ
You’ve got questions about making the perfect Teriyaki Chicken Bowl, and we have answers!
- Can I use frozen vegetables? Yes, absolutely! Cook your frozen vegetables according to package directions before adding them to your bowl.
- Can I use chicken thighs? You can definitely use chicken thighs. They add a wonderful juiciness but might require an extra minute or two of cooking time.
- Can I use grilled chicken? Yes, for a different flavor profile, grill your chicken breasts, then dice them and toss with the sauce.
- Can I meal prep this recipe? This recipe is excellent for meal prepping. Store the chicken and sauce separately from the rice and vegetables for the best texture.
- How to store leftovers? Keep any leftover Teriyaki Chicken Bowl components in airtight containers in the refrigerator, ensuring they stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Conclusion
This homemade Teriyaki Chicken Bowl is truly a simple, quick, and incredibly flavorful dish that deserves a spot in your weekly rotation. You can enjoy restaurant-quality taste and freshness right in your own kitchen, all without the fuss of complicated steps. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a fast meal and fantastic for meal prepping healthy lunches. Highly customizable, you can easily adjust it to suit your preferences and dietary needs, ensuring every Teriyaki Chicken Bowl is exactly how you like it. Try this amazing recipe tonight and share your experience with us! Your perfect Teriyaki Chicken Bowl awaits!
Easy Homemade Teriyaki Chicken Bowl: Quick & Delicious
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Medium Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
Main 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
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the cubed chicken to the hot skillet and cook until browned and no longer pink inside.
- While the chicken cooks, whisk together soy sauce, water, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and cornstarch in a medium mixing bowl to create the teriyaki sauce.
- Once the chicken is cooked, pour the homemade teriyaki sauce into the skillet and stir constantly until the sauce thickens.
- Serve the teriyaki chicken immediately over white or brown rice with your choice of steamed vegetables, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.