Teriyaki Chicken Bowl with Rice, Broccoli & Cucumber Crunch
Description
This Teriyaki Chicken Bowl combines tender, juicy chicken glazed in a sweet-savory teriyaki sauce with fluffy jasmine rice, steamed broccoli, and a refreshing cucumber crunch salad. It’s a balanced meal — comforting, colorful, and done in under an hour!
Total Time Overview
StepTaskTime1Marinate chicken15 min (or up to 2 hrs)2Cook rice20 min3Prepare teriyaki sauce10 min4Cook chicken10–12 min5Steam broccoli5–6 min6Make cucumber crunch5 min7Assemble bowl5 min
Total Active Time: ~45 minutes
Serves: 2–3 bowls
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp mirin (optional but adds authentic sweetness)
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp cornstarc
Pinch of salt & pepper
Teriyaki Sauce:
¼ cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
3 tbsp honey or brown sugar
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp mirin or sake (optional)
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (for thickening)
Rice:
1 cup jasmine or sushi rice
2 cups water
Pinch of salt
Broccoli:
2 cups broccoli florets
Salt (for steaming water)
Cucumber Crunch:
1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
1 tbsp rice vinegar
½ tsp sesame oil
½ tsp soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
Garnish:
Toasted sesame seed
Chopped green onions
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken (15 min)
In a bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
Add chicken, mix well, and let sit for at least 15 minutes (up to 2 hours in the fridge).
Tip: Marinating helps tenderize and flavor the meat deeply.
Step 2: Cook the Rice (20 min)
Rinse rice in cold water until it runs clear.
In a pot, combine rice and water with a pinch of salt.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Turn off heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes to steam.
Fluff with a fork.
Step 3: Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce (10 min)
Combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, mirin, ginger, and garlic in a small saucepan.
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Mix cornstarch with water, add to the sauce, and stir until thickened (2–3 min).
Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken (10–12 min)
Heat a skillet or pan over medium-high heat
Add a drizzle of oil and cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through (~5–6 minutes per side)
Pour in the teriyaki sauce and toss to coat evenly.
Let it bubble for 1–2 minutes until glossy and sticky.
Step 5: Steam the Broccoli (5–6 min)
Bring a pot of water to a boil with a pinch of salt.
Place broccoli in a steamer basket or directly in the water.
Steam until bright green and tender-crisp (~5 min).
Drain and drizzle lightly with sesame oil (optional).
Step 6: Make the Cucumber Crunch (5 min)
In a bowl, whisk rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and chili flakes.
Add sliced cucumbers and toss well.
Sprinkle sesame seeds and chill until ready to serve.
Step 7: Assemble the Bowl (5 min)
Add a scoop of rice as the base.
Arrange teriyaki chicken, broccoli, and cucumber crunch on top.
Drizzle with extra teriyaki sauce.
Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Serving Suggestions
Add a soft-boiled egg for extra protein.
Sprinkle crushed roasted seaweed (nori) for umami.
Serve with spicy mayo drizzle for a fusion twist.
Common Questions & Answers
Q1: Can I use store-bought teriyaki sauce?
A: Yes! Just heat it slightly and add a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) to thicken before using.
Q2: Can I make it vegetarian?
A: Absolutely. Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh, pan-sear it, and coat in the same teriyaki sauce.
Q3: How long does it last?
A: The bowl components can be refrigerated separately for up to 3 days. Reheat chicken and rice before serving; keep cucumber salad chilled.
Q4: Can I meal prep this?
A: Perfect for meal prep! Pack rice + chicken + broccoli in one container and cucumber salad separately to keep it crunchy.
Q5: What rice works best?
A: Jasmine rice gives a light fragrance, but sushi rice or even brown rice are great alternatives.