How to Make Chicken Teriyaki Don (Japanese Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe)

How to Make Chicken Teriyaki Don (Japanese Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe)

by Megumi Moriya

Under 15 Minutes Single Serving Easy Chicken Teriyaki Dinner for One

Teriyaki is a unique Japanese sauce made with soy sauce as its main ingredient, accompanied by the sweetness of sugar and mirin, and sake or cooking sake which adds an umami flavor.

The name "teriyaki" comes from the caramelization of sugar, which creates a glossy shine on the ingredients during the cooking process. Since teriyaki is a dish made using this cooking method, it is not just a dish made by using teriyaki sauce.

The ingredients for teriyaki sauce typically include soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), sake, and sugar. The combination of these ingredients creates a flavorful and balanced sauce that is both savory and sweet. Chicken teriyaki, commonly made with tender chicken thighs, follows this cooking method. While there are various teriyaki dishes, chicken teriyaki is the most popular.

The taste of chicken teriyaki is a perfect balance of savory soy sauce with a hint of caramelized sweetness and smoky depth, all perfectly coating the tender, juicy chicken. Of course, the rich teriyaki flavor pairs wonderfully with steamed rice. Once you take a bite of the rice and chicken teriyaki together, you will be satisfied by the well-balanced combination and amazed at the deliciousness created from these simple ingredients.

Teriyaki method is deeply connected to Japanese dishes, especially because the sauce is made with soy sauce, one of Japan’s most unique, important, and traditional seasonings. Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that you can’t talk about Japanese dishes without mentioning teriyaki sauce.

You need only 15 minutes to make it. As the main dish, it pairs perfectly with miso soup, Japanese pickles, and a salad or some grilled vegetables. It also makes an excellent main dish for obento.

If you’re making Obento with chicken teriyaki as the centerpiece, I recommend adding Japanese omelet (tamagoyaki), Japanese braised burdock root (kinpira gobo), and Japanese braised lotus root (kinpira renkon) as side dishes.

Overview

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 10 mins

Total time: 15 mins

Total servings: 1

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
  • 200g~ steamed rice
  • 300g chicken thigh (boneless)
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp mirin
  • 2 Tbsp cooking sake
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • Chopped green onion (if you prefer)

Expert's Tip

How to Make Chicken Teriyaki Don (Japanese Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe)

Teriyaki sauce brings authentic Japanese flavor to your home, but mixing four seasonings can be a hassle when you're short on time. That's where ready-made teriyaki sauce comes in. Simply drizzle it over grilled meats or vegetables to elevate your dishes, or use it to make a tasty teriyaki burger.

Instructions

1) Gather the Ingredients

Collect all the necessary ingredients for the recipe: steamed rice, chicken thigh (boneless), soy sauce, mirin, cooking sake, sugar, and chopped green onion (optional).

2) Mix the Teriyaki Sauce Seasonings

In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, cooking sake, and sugar. Stir until the ingredients are well-mixed.

3) Prepare the Chicken Thigh

Place the chicken thigh, skin side down, on the cutting board and remove any excess white fat, as shown in the picture. Be careful not to remove the skin, as it helps prevent the chicken from becoming stiff and shrinking while pan-frying.

If there are thicker parts, make a cut to help the chicken cook evenly. Then, flip the chicken thigh over and prick the skin with a fork or bamboo skewer. This will help prevent the skin from shrinking during cooking and allow excess fat to be released while pan-frying.

4) Pan-fry the Chicken Thigh

Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, reduce the heat to medium and add the chicken thigh, skin side down. Press gently with a spatula for even cooking.

Cook for 3-4 minutes, remove excess oil with a paper towel, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is 80% cooked.

5) Add the Teriyaki Sauce

Reduce the heat and add the prepared teriyaki sauce to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the chicken as it thickens, ensuring the chicken cooks through and absorbs the flavor.

6) Cut the Chicken Teriyaki

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and slice it into bite-sized pieces.

7) Serve and Enjoy!

Serve the steamed rice in a donburi bowl, placing the sliced chicken teriyaki on top. Drizzle the remaining teriyaki sauce from the pan over the chicken and garnish with chopped green onions, if desired!

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