Simplify your weeknights and revolutionize your lunch game with these incredibly delicious and practical teriyaki chicken meal prep bowls.

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowls with Broccoli & Rice 16

Featuring tender, succulent chicken coated in a savory teriyaki glaze, paired with perfectly steamed broccoli and fluffy rice, this recipe delivers a complete and satisfying meal that’s ready when you are. It’s the ultimate solution for busy families and anyone looking to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen.

These meal prep bowls are designed for convenience without sacrificing flavor. Each component comes together easily, making it a perfect candidate for your weekly meal prep routine. Say goodbye to last-minute cooking stress and hello to a fridge full of wholesome, homemade meals that taste fantastic even after a few days.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe for Easy Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowls is a true weeknight hero, designed for anyone who craves flavor and convenience in equal measure. You’ll adore how straightforward it is to prepare, making it ideal for busy parents, students, or professionals looking to streamline their meal routines. It’s perfect for meal prepping on a Sunday afternoon, ensuring you have delicious, homemade lunches or dinners ready to grab and go throughout the week. The combination of savory teriyaki chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, and fluffy rice creates a balanced and satisfying meal that appeals to a wide range of palates, even picky eaters. Serve it for a quick family dinner after a busy day, or pack it up for a wholesome office lunch. It’s a versatile dish that fits seamlessly into a practical, modern lifestyle, offering comfort and nutrition without the fuss.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for these teriyaki chicken meal prep bowls is simple, focusing on fresh, accessible items you can find at any grocery store. This recipe prioritizes ease and flavor, ensuring you don’t need any exotic spices or specialty equipment.

INGREDIENTS:

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 head of broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
2 cups uncooked white rice (such as jasmine or basmati)
4 cups water or chicken broth (for cooking rice)
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce (store-bought is perfectly fine)
2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water (for cornstarch slurry)
Optional garnishes: sesame seeds, sliced green onions

For the chicken, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are often preferred for their tenderness and flavor, but chicken breasts work just as well if you prefer leaner meat. When choosing your teriyaki sauce, select a brand you enjoy; many excellent store-bought options are available that save significant time. If you’re sensitive to sodium, opt for low-sodium soy sauce. For the rice, white rice varieties like jasmine or basmati cook up fluffy and absorb flavors beautifully, but brown rice can be used if you adjust cooking times and liquid amounts according to package directions. Fresh ginger and garlic offer the best flavor, but their powdered counterparts are acceptable substitutes in a pinch, especially for a quick meal.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

Preparing these delicious teriyaki chicken meal prep bowls is surprisingly quick, making it an ideal candidate for busy schedules.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

This timeline assumes you have your ingredients ready and your chicken cut. The rice can cook simultaneously with the chicken and broccoli, optimizing your kitchen time and getting you to a delicious meal in under 40 minutes.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating these flavorful teriyaki chicken meal prep bowls is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a perfectly cooked and delicious meal every time.

Prepare the Rice: Begin by cooking your rice according to package directions. For most white rice, combine 2 cups of uncooked rice with 4 cups of water or chicken broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until all water is absorbed and the rice is tender. Once cooked, remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Make the Teriyaki Sauce: While the rice cooks, whisk together the teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic in a small bowl. In a separate small bowl, combine the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Set both aside.
Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the cut chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and mostly cooked through.
Add the Broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the skillet with the chicken. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is crisp-tender and bright green. You want it cooked but still with a slight bite.
Thicken the Sauce: Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce mixture over the chicken and broccoli in the skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency and coats the chicken and broccoli beautifully.
Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice evenly among your meal prep containers. Top each portion of rice with the teriyaki chicken and broccoli mixture.
Garnish and Serve: If desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for extra flavor and visual appeal. These bowls are now ready to be enjoyed immediately or stored for meal prep.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

These teriyaki chicken meal prep bowls are wonderfully adaptable, allowing for many variations to suit different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can cut the chicken into smaller, bite-sized “nuggets” and ensure the broccoli is cooked a little softer. A drizzle of a mild, sweet chili sauce on the side can also be a fun addition for dipping. If you’re looking to swap ingredients, feel free to use snap peas, bell peppers, or carrots instead of or in addition to the broccoli for a different vegetable profile. Tofu or shrimp can also be substituted for chicken if you prefer a vegetarian or seafood option; just adjust cooking times accordingly.

When serving these for a casual family dinner, you can present the components buffet-style, allowing everyone to build their own bowl. Offer extra teriyaki sauce on the side for those who like a saucier meal. For optional toppings, consider a sprinkle of toasted cashews or peanuts for added crunch, a dash of sriracha for a spicy kick, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice to brighten the flavors. These bowls are also fantastic for potlucks or gatherings; simply scale up the recipe and arrange it in a large serving dish, with the rice on the side.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls, but knowing them ahead of time can help you achieve perfect results with these teriyaki chicken meal prep bowls. One frequent mistake is overcooking the chicken. Chicken breasts, in particular, can become dry and stringy if cooked too long. To avoid this, cook the chicken just until it’s no longer pink in the center, which usually takes 5-7 minutes for 1-inch pieces. Using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) is a great way to guarantee doneness without overdoing it.

Another common issue is soggy broccoli. While you want the broccoli tender, you still want it to retain some bite. Adding it to the skillet after the chicken has mostly cooked through and only cooking for 3-5 minutes will help keep it crisp-tender. Don’t overcrowd the pan, as this can steam the broccoli rather than sear it, leading to a softer texture. If your pan is too full, cook the chicken and broccoli in two batches.

Finally, sometimes the teriyaki sauce doesn’t thicken properly. This usually happens if the cornstarch slurry isn’t mixed well, or if the sauce isn’t brought to a gentle simmer after adding the slurry. Ensure you whisk the cornstarch and cold water thoroughly until no lumps remain, and then allow the sauce to simmer for a minute or two, stirring constantly, to activate the thickening power of the cornstarch. If it’s still too thin, you can make a tiny bit more slurry and add it in small increments, simmering after each addition.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

These teriyaki chicken meal prep bowls are designed with make-ahead convenience in mind, and proper storage is key to maintaining their delicious texture and flavor. Once assembled, allow the bowls to cool completely to room temperature before covering them tightly. This prevents condensation from forming inside the containers, which can make the rice and broccoli soggy. Store the covered bowls in the refrigerator for up

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep Bowls with Broccoli & Rice

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