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delicious teriyaki chicken bowl

Flavorful Teriyaki Chicken Bowl

This simple yet delicious Teriyaki Chicken Bowl features tender chicken thighs simmered in a sweet-savory sauce that develops rich flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pot comfort meal practically cooks itself while delivering an irresistible balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup sugar brown sugar or honey can be substituted
  • 2 cloves garlic minced or pressed
  • 8 boneless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup soy sauce regular or low-sodium

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Slow cooker (optional)
  • Forks for shredding

Method
 

  1. In a large pot, combine water, soy sauce, and sugar. Stir until sugar completely dissolves.
  2. Add minced or pressed garlic cloves to the liquid mixture and stir to incorporate.
  3. Place chicken thighs in the pot, ensuring they're fully submerged in the teriyaki sauce.
  4. For stovetop cooking: Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for about 3 hours until chicken becomes very tender.
  5. Alternatively, for slow-cooker method: Transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  6. When finished cooking, use two forks to slightly shred the chicken.
  7. Serve over steamed rice with your choice of vegetables.

Notes

This recipe creates a generous amount of sauce, perfect for drizzling over rice. For a thicker sauce, you can remove the chicken when done and simmer the liquid for an additional 10-15 minutes to reduce it further.
Leftovers taste even better as the flavors continue to develop overnight. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For a complete meal, serve with steamed broccoli, carrots, snap peas, or quick-pickled cucumbers. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions makes an excellent garnish.