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Easy Bento-Style Chicken Teriyaki Lunch Box: Best 15-Min Recipe

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A quick and forgiving chicken teriyaki recipe that comes together in 15 minutes, perfect for bento boxes or meal prep. The sauce is glossy and flavorful, made with pantry-friendly ingredients, and the chicken stays juicy and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 450g)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (60ml)
  • 1/4 cup mirin (60ml)
  • 2 tablespoons sake (30ml)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (12g)
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 cup cooked short-grain white rice (about 180g)
  • 1/2 cup steamed snap peas or green beans (about 75g)
  • 2 tablespoons pickled radish or cucumber
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Optional: a few cherry tomatoes or edamame

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken: Place chicken thighs on a cutting board. If uneven, butterfly or pound to 1/2-inch thickness. Pat dry with paper towels. Slice into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch wide. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Stir until sugar is mostly dissolved. If using ginger, grate it directly into the sauce and stir.
  3. Heat the pan: Place a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of neutral oil. Swirl to coat. Wait until the oil shimmers.
  4. Sear the chicken: Add chicken pieces in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes until deep golden-brown. Flip and cook another 2 minutes until cooked through.
  5. Add the sauce: Pour sauce mixture into the pan around the chicken. It will sizzle and bubble. Cook for 1 minute, then flip chicken to coat. Let sauce reduce until it coats the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes total. If too thick, add a splash of water.
  6. Finish and rest: Remove pan from heat. Let chicken rest in pan for 30 seconds to allow glaze to set.
  7. Assemble bento box: Place cooked rice in one compartment. Arrange chicken in another, spooning remaining sauce over top. Add snap peas or green beans in a third compartment. Tuck pickled radish or cucumber into remaining space. Sprinkle sesame seeds over chicken. Add optional cherry tomatoes or edamame.

Notes

For best results, don’t crowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if needed. To prevent sauce from burning, keep heat at medium-high and watch closely. The chicken tastes even better the next day as the sauce penetrates the meat. For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. For a lower-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken teriyaki, bento box, lunch box, 15-minute recipe, easy teriyaki, meal prep, Japanese lunch

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/easy-bento-style-chicken-teriyaki-lunch-box-best-15-min-recipe/