If you are looking for a delicious, wholesome dish that will make your weekly meals a breeze, then this Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowls Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine perfectly tender chicken coated in a glossy, sweet-savory teriyaki sauce paired with fluffy rice and vibrant broccoli florets—it’s a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. This recipe is a wonderful way to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home, all while keeping things simple, nutritious, and ready for the busy days ahead. Trust me, once you try this Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowls Recipe, it will become your go-to for effortless, satisfying lunches or dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowls Recipe lies in its straightforward and pantry-friendly ingredients. Each one is chosen carefully to bring out the best taste and texture without fuss, making your cooking experience both easy and rewarding.
- 3/4 cup uncooked rice: This forms the fluffy, comforting base that soaks up the savory sauce perfectly.
- 1 small head broccoli (cut into florets): Adds color, crunch, and a fresh, slightly bitter balance to the sweetness of the teriyaki.
- 2 large chicken breasts (cut into bite-size pieces): Lean protein that cooks quickly and serves as the star of the dish.
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch: Helps create that irresistible glossy coating on the chicken by thickening the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: For sautéing the chicken, giving it a slight crispness on the edges.
- 2 cloves garlic (minced): Brings a punch of aromatic flavor that elevates the sauce.
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (packed): Balances the salty elements with its deep, molasses notes.
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated): Adds a zesty warmth and freshness to the sauce.
- 3 tablespoons mirin: A sweet rice wine that enhances the authenticity and sweetness of the teriyaki.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce: Delivers the essential salty umami depth.
- 3/4 cup water: Loosens up the sauce so it can simmer and coat the chicken beautifully.
- Scallions (chopped, to taste): A fresh, mild oniony garnish that brightens every bite.
How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowls Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Rice, Broccoli, and Scallions
Start by cooking your rice exactly according to the package instructions for fluffy, tender grains every time. While the rice is cooking, steam or boil the broccoli until it’s bright green and tender but still has a bit of crunch to it. Don’t forget to chop your scallions finely; they will add a lovely fresh touch later on.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken with Cornstarch
Place the bite-sized chicken pieces into a large ZipLoc bag with the cornstarch. Seal the bag and give it a good toss to ensure every piece is evenly coated. This simple step locks in juiciness and helps the sauce cling dramatically to the chicken, giving you that irresistible texture everyone loves.
Step 3: Mix the Teriyaki Sauce
In a small bowl, combine minced garlic, brown sugar, grated ginger, mirin, soy sauce, and water. Stir everything together until the sugar dissolves, and you have a harmonious blend of sweet, salty, and spicy notes ready to work its magic.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces and give them a stir so they cook evenly. Cook until the chicken loses its pinkness on the outside, developing a slightly crispy surface that will soak up the sauce superbly.
Step 5: Simmer with the Teriyaki Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, then reduce the heat to medium. Let everything simmer together for a few minutes until the chicken is cooked all the way through and the sauce thickens into a shiny glaze that clings beautifully to each piece.
Step 6: Assemble Your Meal Prep Bowls
Divide cooked rice, broccoli, and that glossy teriyaki chicken evenly into four meal prep containers. Finish each bowl with a generous sprinkle of chopped scallions. These bowls are ready to be chilled or enjoyed immediately, making weekday meals both tasty and convenient.
How to Serve Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowls Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped scallions is all you really need for garnishing your teriyaki chicken bowls. You can also consider a few sesame seeds or a drizzle of sriracha if you like a little heat or an extra crunch. These simple additions elevate the presentation and the flavor, turning a meal prep bowl into an irresistible plate.
Side Dishes
If you’re looking to complement this Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowls Recipe with sides, steamed edamame or a simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar would add freshness and balance. Alternatively, pickled vegetables can bring a tangy contrast that cuts through the richness of the sauce beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the teriyaki chicken over cauliflower rice to keep it low-carb, or wrap the chicken and broccoli in crisp lettuce leaves for a handheld teriyaki wrap experience. You can also layer the ingredients in clear glass jars for a visually stunning meal prep idea that’s as pretty as it is tasty.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowls store wonderfully in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keeping the sauce well distributed over the chicken helps maintain flavor and moisture, so every bite feels as delicious as the first.
Freezing
If you want to prepare in advance for longer, these bowls freeze nicely as well. Use freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge for the best texture and flavor preservation.
Reheating
When it’s mealtime, simply microwave your bowl until warm, usually about 2-3 minutes depending on your microwave’s power. Stir halfway through heating to ensure even warmth. The teriyaki sauce holds up beautifully, making each reheated bite just as delightful as freshly cooked.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Absolutely! Brown rice is a nutritious alternative that adds a chewy texture and nutty flavor, complementing the sweet and savory elements of the teriyaki sauce perfectly. Just adjust the cooking time as required for brown rice.
Is there a substitute for mirin in this recipe?
If you don’t have mirin on hand, you can substitute it with a combination of dry sherry or white wine mixed with a little sugar. This keeps the sweet-savory balance of the sauce intact without sacrificing flavor.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Yes, swap the chicken for firm tofu or tempeh cubes. Coat them in cornstarch and cook the same way. The teriyaki sauce is naturally vegan, so it works perfectly with plant-based proteins!
What can I do to make the sauce thicker?
If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can increase the cornstarch slightly or cook the sauce a bit longer at medium heat to reduce it further. Just keep stirring so it doesn’t burn and becomes nicely glossy.
How do I keep the broccoli from getting mushy?
To maintain fresh and crisp broccoli, steam or boil it only until it turns bright green and just starts to become tender—usually about 3-4 minutes. Immediately rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and preserve its vibrant texture.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowls Recipe enough for anyone craving a tasty, practical way to keep meals healthy and exciting throughout the week. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have a nourishing dish full of bold flavors ready at a moment’s notice. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll want to make it again and again!
Print
Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowls Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese
Description
Delicious and easy Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowls featuring tender chicken coated in a sweet and savory homemade teriyaki sauce served over steamed broccoli and fluffy rice. Perfect for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Ingredients
Rice and Vegetables
- 3/4 cup uncooked rice
- 1 small head broccoli, cut into florets
- Scallions, chopped, to taste
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 tablespoons mirin
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 3/4 cup water
Instructions
- Cook Rice and Broccoli: Cook rice according to package directions. Steam or boil broccoli until it reaches your desired tenderness. Chop the scallions for garnish.
- Prepare Chicken: Place the bite-sized chicken pieces into a large ZipLoc bag with the cornstarch. Seal the bag and toss until the chicken is evenly coated with cornstarch.
- Make Teriyaki Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, brown sugar, grated ginger, mirin, soy sauce, and water. Stir well to blend all the sauce ingredients.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces and cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside.
- Add Sauce and Simmer: Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce into the skillet with the chicken. Reduce heat to medium and cook for several minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Assemble Meal Prep Bowls: Divide the cooked rice, steamed broccoli, and teriyaki chicken evenly among four containers. Garnish with chopped scallions. These bowls reheat well in the microwave for convenient meals throughout the week.
Notes
- You can substitute brown rice or cauliflower rice for a healthier twist.
- Mirin can be replaced with a combination of white wine and sugar if unavailable.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the cornstarch and sauce mixture for 15 minutes before cooking.
- Store meal prep bowls in airtight containers and consume within 4 days for best freshness.
