Sweet Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls with Hidden Veggies
Tender chicken strips in a sweet teriyaki sauce over fluffy rice, studded with hidden carrots and peas that kids can't detect. This asian-inspired kid friendly ready in about 25 minutes pairs (cut into 1-inch cubes) chicken breasts, soy sauce, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz (cut into 1-inch cubes) chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp (grated) ginger
- 1 clove (minced) garlic
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cups (cooked) white rice
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp (sliced) green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, and water until smooth; set aside.
- Step 2: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken cubes and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Stir in shredded carrots and frozen peas, then cook for 2 minutes until vegetables are heated through and tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Pour soy sauce mixture into the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 1 tbsp water to make a slurry, then stir into the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Serve chicken and sauce over cooked rice, garnished with sliced green onions for a pop of color.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sweet Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls with Hidden Veggies take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sweet Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls with Hidden Veggies?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls with Hidden Veggies?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sweet Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls with Hidden Veggies for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sweet Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls with Hidden Veggies?
Asian kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
