Effortless Weeknight Teriyaki Chicken and Rice: Your Guide to a Quick & Flavorful Asian-Inspired Meal
Are you craving the irresistible blend of sweet and savory flavors, crisp-tender vegetables, and succulent meats that defines classic Teriyaki? Look no further! This incredibly simple recipe for Teriyaki Chicken and Rice is designed to make Asian-inspired cooking accessible and enjoyable, transforming your weeknight meal prep into an effortless culinary adventure. Forget complicated steps and long ingredient lists; we’re bringing restaurant-quality taste right into your kitchen with minimal fuss.
The Ultimate Weeknight Solution: Quick Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
This recipe truly is my secret weapon for those busy evenings when time is short, but the desire for a delicious, home-cooked meal is strong. It boasts a complex flavor profile and an appealing presentation that makes it seem like you spent hours slaving over a hot stove, when in reality, its efficiency is rooted in smart shortcuts. The magic lies in three key components: convenient store-bought rotisserie chicken breast, a high-quality bottled Teriyaki sauce, and readily available pre-cooked rice. These ingredients are game-changers, drastically cutting down on preparation and cooking time without compromising on taste.
Having pre-cooked rice on hand is a lifesaver; I make it a point to always have some ready. Whether it’s leftover from a previous meal or quickly prepared in my trusty rice cooker on demand, having this staple ingredient ready means one less step when dinner time rolls around. The pre-cooked rotisserie chicken eliminates the need for raw meat handling and extensive cooking, while a good bottled Teriyaki sauce provides that signature sweet and salty glaze without requiring you to mix multiple ingredients from scratch.
The beauty of this dish is how quickly it comes together. Once you’ve effortlessly shredded the pre-cooked chicken, performed a few quick chops on your chosen vegetables, and gently sautéed everything until perfectly combined and warmed through, this flavorful meal can be on your dinner table in what feels like mere minutes. It’s the perfect harmony of convenience and delectable flavor, making it a go-to for busy families and individuals alike.
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Crafting Your Perfect Teriyaki Chicken and Rice: Ingredients & Customization
While this recipe prides itself on its simplicity, there’s always room to personalize and enhance the flavors to suit your palate. The core ingredients are robust enough to carry the dish, but don’t hesitate to experiment with additions that can elevate your Teriyaki experience.
Ingredients you will need:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup snap peas, chopped
- 1 large shallot, diced
- 1 cup pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup bottled Teriyaki sauce
- 2 cups cooked rice, white or brown
The olive oil provides a great base for sautéing, while the carrots and snap peas offer a delightful crunch and natural sweetness, perfectly complementing the rich Teriyaki sauce. The shallot adds a subtle oniony, garlic-like depth without overpowering the dish. Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is the ultimate time-saver, allowing you to bypass the cooking process entirely and jump straight to assembly. When choosing your bottled Teriyaki sauce, opt for a brand you enjoy, or even better, one with fewer artificial ingredients. For an extra boost of flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of grated fresh ginger and minced garlic to your vegetables as they sauté.
You can also easily expand on the vegetable selection. Think about incorporating other quick-cooking options like broccoli florets, sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange for color and sweetness), mushrooms, or even a handful of spinach at the very end. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha can be stirred in with the Teriyaki sauce. This recipe serves as a fantastic foundation, adaptable to whatever fresh ingredients you have on hand or any specific dietary preferences.
Essential Tools for Seamless Preparation
Having the right tools can make a significant difference in the kitchen, especially when aiming for speed and efficiency. For this Teriyaki Chicken and Rice recipe, a few key pieces of equipment will ensure a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience.
Tools I use for this recipe
- Rice cooker (to precook the rice)
- Chef knife
- Cutting board
- 4-quart non-stick skillet
A good quality rice cooker is invaluable for consistent, perfectly cooked rice every time, freeing up your stovetop and ensuring your rice is ready when you need it. If you don’t have one, simply prepare your rice ahead of time on the stovetop. A sharp chef’s knife and a sturdy cutting board are fundamental for efficient vegetable preparation, allowing you to quickly chop the carrots, snap peas, and shallots. Finally, a 4-quart non-stick skillet is ideal for this recipe. Its non-stick surface ensures easy sautéing without sticking and makes cleanup a breeze, a definite plus on a busy weeknight.
Beyond the Dinner Table: Meal Prep and Leftover Brilliance
Thinking about Teriyaki Chicken and Rice as a weekday lunch or part of your meal prep strategy? You’re absolutely on the right track! One of the fantastic advantages of this dish is its versatility and how well it keeps. It’s often even better on the second or third day as the flavors have more time to meld and deepen. This makes it an ideal candidate for batch cooking and portioning out for lunches throughout the week, saving you precious time and effort.
Reheating is simple and convenient. You can quickly warm it through in the microwave, or if you prefer a slightly crisper texture, pan-sauté it again until thoroughly heated. For those who enjoy cold salads, this dish holds up remarkably well and can be enjoyed straight from the refrigerator, offering a refreshing and flavorful alternative. Whether warm or cold, it remains a satisfying and delicious meal. To maximize freshness, always store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
If you’re looking for even more creative ways to transform your pre-cooked chicken into delightful Asian-inspired meals, consider exploring additional recipes. My Asian Quinoa Slaw Salad With Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette offers a vibrant and healthy option, while my Easy Peasy Fried Rice is another fantastic way to utilize leftover chicken and rice components. Both recipes are incredibly straightforward and perfect for expanding your repertoire of quick and tasty Asian-inspired dishes.
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Dive Deeper into Asian-Inspired Flavors
If you’ve enjoyed the simplicity and deliciousness of our Teriyaki Chicken and Rice, you’ll love these other Asian-inspired recipes that promise great taste with manageable effort. Each one offers a unique flavor profile, perfect for diversifying your weeknight menu.
MORE ASIAN INSPIRED RECIPES YOU WILL LOVE:
If chicken is your culinary mainstay, this recipe for Kung Pao Chicken is an absolute must-try. It’s a classic Chinese-American dish featuring tender chicken pieces tossed in a rich, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce, often with peanuts and vegetables. This version is streamlined for the perfect weeknight meal, delivering that beloved takeout flavor right at home with fresh ingredients and a satisfying kick.
If it’s stir fry that truly captures your heart, this Peppered Pork with Sweet Peppers stands out as one of my all-time favorites. This recipe showcases tender strips of pork, beautifully seasoned with pepper, and stir-fried to perfection with an assortment of vibrant sweet peppers. It’s a dynamic dish that’s quick to prepare, bursting with fresh flavors, and provides a delightful alternative to chicken, making it a fantastic addition to any stir-fry enthusiast’s collection.
For those who love beef, I also adore beef stir fry, and this particular dish, married with juicy tomatoes and crisp peppers, is positively delicious! It brings a unique twist to traditional beef stir-fries with the inclusion of tomatoes, adding a touch of tangy sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the savory beef and crunchy peppers. This recipe is hearty, flavorful, and another excellent choice for a quick and satisfying Asian-inspired dinner.
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More Easy Asian-Inspired Recipes to Try
Expand your culinary horizons with these additional delightful Asian-inspired dishes:
- Asian Broccoli Slaw: A refreshing and crunchy salad bursting with vibrant flavors, perfect as a side dish or light meal.
- Chicken Fried Rice: A classic comfort food, easily made at home with leftover rice and chicken, seasoned to perfection.
- Vegetable Spring Rolls: Crisp and savory, these homemade spring rolls are a fantastic appetizer or light snack, filled with fresh vegetables.
- Egg Roll in a Bowl: All the flavors of your favorite egg roll, deconstructed and served in a bowl for a healthier, low-carb option.
- Chicken Chow Mein Casserole: A hearty and comforting casserole version of the popular noodle dish, ideal for family dinners.
- Szechuan Beef: For those who love a bold and spicy kick, this Szechuan beef dish delivers with tender beef slices and a fiery, aromatic sauce.
Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup carrots chopped
- 1 cup snap peas chopped
- 1 large shallot diced
- 1 cup pre-cooked rotisserie chicken shredded
- ½ cup bottled Teriyaki sauce
- 2 cups cooked rice white or brown
Instructions
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In a 4-quart, non-stick skillet, heat olive oil over medium until shimmering (about 2 min).
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Add carrots, snap peas, and shallot; sauté until lightly browned and slightly softened (3-5 minutes).
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Fold in shredded chicken, teriyaki sauce, and cooked rice; continue over medium heat until warmed through (4-6 minutes).
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Serve immediately or allow to cool, cover and refrigerate up to three days.
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.