Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls Recipe

Quick & Zesty Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls Recipe

Teriyaki chicken and rice bowls spark culinary excitement with their vibrant blend of flavors and textures.

These delightful meals combine savory proteins with perfectly cooked grains in a harmonious dance of taste.

Home cooks love how quickly this dish comes together, revamping simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

The magic happens when sweet and tangy sauce coats tender meat, creating a mouthwatering experience that delights every palate.

Balanced nutrition meets incredible flavor in this crowd-pleasing recipe that feels both comforting and adventurous.

Each component plays a crucial role, from the succulent protein to the fluffy rice underneath.

Crisp vegetables add a refreshing crunch that elevates the entire dining experience.

Why Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls Are a Weeknight Hero

  • Savor Flavor-Packed Goodness: This teriyaki chicken recipe bursts with Hawaiian-inspired taste combinations that blend sweet, tangy, and savory elements perfectly. The homemade teriyaki sauce creates a rich, glossy coating that elevates the entire dish.
  • Master Easy Grilling Techniques: The recipe offers simple yet impressive grilling methods that transform ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality meal. Grilling pineapple and bell peppers adds smoky depth and caramelized edges that complement the marinated chicken beautifully.
  • Enjoy Nutritious and Balanced Meal: Brown rice and edamame provide substantial protein and fiber, while the colorful grilled vegetables make this dish a wholesome, balanced one-bowl meal. The recipe delivers a nutritious dinner that doesn't compromise on incredible flavor and exciting textures.
  • Create Quick Weeknight Dinner Magic: With minimal prep and straightforward cooking steps, this teriyaki chicken bowl comes together in under an hour. The make-ahead marinade and sauce options mean you can streamline meal preparation without sacrificing taste or quality.

Ingredients That Flavor Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that absorbs marinade flavors and creates the main dish centerpiece, choose fresh and even-sized pieces for consistent cooking.
Marinade Ingredients:
  • Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar: Provide deep umami flavor and tenderize the chicken, opt for low-sodium soy sauce for healthier option.
Teriyaki Sauce Components:
  • Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Mirin, Garlic, Ginger: Create authentic teriyaki flavor profile, fresh ginger and garlic offer better taste than dried versions.
  • Cornstarch: Helps thicken sauce and create glossy texture, use fresh cornstarch for best results.
Grilling Vegetables:
  • Bell Pepper, Pineapple: Add sweetness and smoky char to the dish, choose ripe pineapple and colorful bell peppers for visual appeal.
  • Edamame: Provides additional protein and green color, can be fresh or frozen.
Rice Base:
  • Brown Rice: Nutritious whole grain base for the bowl, offers more fiber than white rice.
Garnish:
  • Green Onions: Adds fresh, sharp flavor and color to the final dish, choose bright green and crisp stalks.

How to Cook Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls with Ease

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavor Blend

  • Grab a mixing bowl
  • Toss in soy sauce
  • Add honey
  • Pour in rice vinegar
  • Splash of sesame oil
  • Sprinkle of ginger
  • Whisk everything together until smooth

Massage the marinade all over the chicken pieces, tucking them into a sealed container. Let them chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour (overnight works magic).

Step 2: Craft the Magic Sauce

  • Pour chicken broth into a small pan
  • Add soy sauce
  • Drizzle brown sugar
  • Sprinkle garlic powder
  • Warm the mixture on medium heat
  • In a separate tiny bowl, dissolve cornstarch with cold water
  • Slowly stir cornstarch mixture into the simmering sauce
  • Keep stirring until sauce transforms into a glossy, thick consistency
  • Remove from heat and set aside

Step 3: Fire Up the Grill

  • Heat grill to 400°F
  • Brush grates with olive oil
  • Place chicken on hot grates
  • Grill each side for 6-7 minutes
  • Check internal temperature reaches 165°F
  • Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking

Step 4: Roast Colorful Companions

  • Quarter bell peppers
  • Slice pineapple rings
  • Toss onto grill
  • Char bell peppers for 4-5 minutes
  • Grill pineapple for 3 minutes per side
  • Remove when beautifully caramelized

Step 5: Build Your Delicious Bowl

  • Scoop warm brown rice into bowls
  • Slice grilled chicken
  • Arrange chicken on rice
  • Scatter grilled pineapple chunks
  • Sprinkle bell pepper pieces
  • Add edamame for extra protein
  • Drizzle teriyaki sauce generously
  • Garnish with chopped green onions

Enjoy your restaurant-quality meal right at home!

Smart Tips for Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls Perfection

  • Maximize Marinade Flavor: Let chicken soak in marinade overnight to deeply infuse the meat with sweet and savory teriyaki flavors.
  • Perfect Grill Temperature: Maintain consistent 400°F heat to ensure chicken gets beautiful char marks without drying out the meat.
  • Slice Chicken Strategically: Cut chicken against the grain for maximum tenderness and easier chewing.
  • Sauce Consistency Trick: Dissolve cornstarch completely in cold water before adding to prevent lumpy teriyaki sauce.
  • Vegetable Char Technique: Grill vegetables at high heat to develop caramelized edges and enhance natural sweetness.

Best Ways to Store Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls

  • Refrigerate: Transfer leftover chicken, rice, and vegetables into separate airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Freeze: Pack components individually in freezer-safe containers. Chicken and vegetables can be frozen for up to 2 months. Rice freezes well for 1 month. Label containers with dates.
  • Reheat: Warm chicken and vegetables in the microwave at 50% power, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Alternatively, reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or teriyaki sauce to prevent drying. Add fresh green onions after reheating for a crisp flavor boost.

What Complements Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enhance the sweet and savory teriyaki flavors with a chilled Riesling or Pinot Grigio, cutting through the richness of the grilled chicken and complementing the pineapple's tropical notes.
  • Match with Refreshing Beverage: Cool down the meal's slight heat with a sparkling ginger ale or Japanese Ramune soda, which adds a playful fizz and balances the teriyaki sauce's sweetness.
  • Boost with Asian-Inspired Side: Elevate the bowl's complexity by serving cucumber sunomono salad, providing a tangy and light counterpoint to the rich grilled chicken and adding a refreshing crunch.
  • Complement with Light Beer: Enjoy a cold Japanese lager like Sapporo or Asahi, whose clean, crisp profile perfectly matches the teriyaki's umami flavors and cuts through the dish's richness.

Delicious Additions to Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls

  • Tropical Fusion Bowl: Swap pineapple for mango chunks and add grilled shrimp instead of chicken for a Caribbean-inspired seafood version.
  • Veggie Power Bowl: Replace chicken with tofu, double the edamame, and include roasted sweet potato cubes for a protein-packed vegetarian alternative.
  • Spicy Asian Remix: Incorporate sriracha into the teriyaki sauce, add pickled jalapeños, and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds for an extra kick of heat and crunch.
  • Quick Weeknight Skillet: Skip the grill and prepare everything in a large skillet, using pre-cooked rice and quickly sautéing chicken and vegetables for a faster meal preparation.
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Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls Recipe

Teriyaki Chicken and Rice Bowls Recipe


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4.6 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Teriyaki chicken and rice bowls bring Japanese-inspired comfort to your dinner table. Succulent chicken glazed with a sweet-tangy sauce nestles over fluffy rice, creating a satisfying meal that blends traditional flavors with modern simplicity.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup shelled edamame

Produce and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 small pineapple, peeled, core removed, and cut into spears or planks
  • 1 red bell pepper, core removed and quartered
  • 1 green onion, sliced thin (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:

  • 5 tablespoons low sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 12 teaspoons sriracha
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 ½ teaspoons maple syrup

Grains:

  • 2 cups cooked brown rice

Instructions

  1. Craft a flavorful marinade by whisking together all specified ingredients in a compact mixing vessel.
  2. Submerge chicken breasts into a resealable bag, thoroughly coating with the prepared marinade mixture.
  3. Compress air from the bag and tenderly massage marinade into chicken flesh, ensuring complete coverage.
  4. Allow chicken to absorb marinade depths in refrigerator for minimum one hour, preferably overnight.
  5. Create teriyaki sauce by combining liquid ingredients in a compact saucepan, heating until initial boiling point.
  6. Simultaneously prepare cornstarch slurry in a separate small container, dissolving powder completely in cool water.
  7. Integrate cornstarch mixture into simmering sauce, continuously stirring until sauce transforms into glossy, viscous consistency.
  8. Remove sauce from heat, transferring into sealed container for future application.
  9. Ignite grill to moderate-high temperature, lightly coating metal grates with protective oil layer.
  10. Arrange marinated chicken, vibrant bell peppers, and sweet pineapple segments across heated grill surface.
  11. Rotate pineapple chunks after approximately three minutes, achieving caramelized exterior marks.
  12. Parallel to pineapple, rotate bell pepper sections, developing slight char and maintaining crisp texture.
  13. Position chicken centrally, monitoring internal temperature and grilling approximately six to seven minutes per side.
  14. Once chicken reaches optimal temperature, permit brief resting period before precise slicing.
  15. Construct individual serving bowls by layering fluffy brown rice as foundational element.
  16. Artfully arrange sliced chicken, grilled pineapple, roasted peppers, and verdant edamame atop rice base.
  17. Elegantly drizzle prepared teriyaki sauce across composed dish.
  18. Optional: Garnish with delicately sliced green onions for enhanced visual and flavor complexity.

Notes

  • Marinate chicken for at least an hour to infuse deep, rich flavors and tenderize the meat thoroughly.
  • Homemade teriyaki sauce ensures fresher taste and allows complete control over sweetness and thickness.
  • Grilling pineapple and bell peppers caramelizes natural sugars, adding sweet and smoky dimensions to the dish.
  • Check chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee safe and perfectly cooked protein.
  • Brown rice provides more nutrients and fiber compared to white rice, making this meal healthier and more satisfying.
  • Edamame adds plant-based protein and vibrant green color, boosting both nutritional value and visual appeal.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 540
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 77 g
  • Fiber: 6 g
  • Protein: 34 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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