Digital Garden

Teriyaki Chicken Donburi with Sesame-Soy Broccoli

3 min read

Sweet-savory glazed chicken over fluffy rice, paired with sesame-soy broccoli for a balanced donburi bowl.

Serves: 2 | Time: 40 min

Ingredients

Rice

  • 1 cup Japanese short-grain rice, rinsed until water runs clear
  • 1 ¼ cups water

Chicken & Marinade

  • 2 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs (≈ 300 g)
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp sake
  • 1 tsp freshly grated ginger

Teriyaki Sauce

  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp mirin
  • 1 Tbsp sake
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp honey (adds extra gloss, optional)

Broccoli

  • 200 g broccoli florets (about 1 small head)
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • ¼ tsp sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 tsp toasted white sesame seeds

Garnish

  • 1 spring onion, finely sliced on the bias
  • Shichimi togarashi or extra toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Cook the Rice

    • Combine rinsed rice and water in a small pot; soak 15 min.
    • Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce to low and steam 12 min. Rest off-heat 10 min before fluffing.

  2. Marinate the Chicken

    • Pat thighs dry; prick skin with a fork.
    • Toss with soy sauce, sake, and ginger; marinate 10 min while rice cooks.

  3. Pan-Sear the Chicken

    • Heat a non-stick pan over medium. Lay chicken skin-side down; weigh with a small lid for even browning.
    • Cook 6-7 min until skin is crisp and golden; flip and cook 3 min more. Transfer to a plate (keep fat in pan).

  4. Make the Teriyaki Glaze

    • Wipe excess fat, then add soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and honey.
    • Return chicken; spoon sauce as it bubbles for 2-3 min until thick and coating the meat. Slice chicken into strips, then swirl in sauce once more for shine.

  5. Steam-Flash the Broccoli

    • While the glaze reduces, set a steamer basket over 2 cm simmering water.
    • Steam broccoli 2-2½ min until bright green and still crisp; drain well.

  6. Dress the Broccoli

    • In a bowl, toss hot florets with sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and sesame seeds.
    • Let sit 1 min so the seasoning absorbs.

  7. Assemble the Donburi

    • Divide hot rice into two deep bowls.
    • Arrange sliced teriyaki chicken on top, spooning over extra sauce.
    • Nestle sesame-soy broccoli beside the chicken.
    • Finish with spring onion and a pinch of shichimi or sesame seeds.

Plating & Serving

Serve immediately while everything is hot. Pair with miso soup or a chilled glass of green tea to complete a classic set meal.

Tips

  • Secret ingredient: A few drops of fresh yuzu juice in the teriyaki sauce brighten the glaze.
  • Skin-on thighs = flavor: The rendered fat seasons the sauce; if using skinless, add 1 tsp neutral oil.
  • Make-ahead rice: Keep cooked rice warm in the cooker on “hold” for up to 1 hour without drying out.
  • Gluten-free option: Substitute tamari for soy sauce in both marinade and sauce.

dinner japanese healthy onepot highprotein

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