Homestyle Teriyaki Chicken Bento

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (400g) 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (400g)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) mirin 2 tablespoons (30ml) mirin
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) honey 2 tablespoons (30ml) honey
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) sesame oil 1 tablespoon (15ml) sesame oil
• 2 cups (400g) cooked sushi rice 2 cups (400g) cooked sushi rice
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) rice vinegar 2 tablespoons (30ml) rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15g) pickled ginger 1 tablespoon (15g) pickled ginger
• 1 cup (150g) steamed edamame 1 cup (150g) steamed edamame
• 4 slices of tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelette) 4 slices of tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelette)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 10g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, honey, and sesame oil to make the teriyaki marinade.
2. 2.
   Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
4. 4.
   Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Slice it thinly.
5. 5.
   In a separate bowl, combine rice vinegar, cucumber, and carrot to make the salad. Let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
6. 6.
   Assemble the bento box by placing a portion of sushi rice in one compartment, followed by the sliced teriyaki chicken, cucumber and carrot salad, pickled ginger, steamed edamame, and tamagoyaki.
7. 7.
   Repeat the process for additional bento boxes.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken breasts — For a juicier result, brine the chicken breasts in a mixture of salt and water for 30 minutes before marinating.
• Tamagoyaki — To achieve the perfect texture, use a rectangular tamagoyaki pan and roll the omelette tightly while cooking.

Tips & Tricks

• Substitute chicken breasts with tofu for a vegetarian version.
• Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top of the teriyaki chicken for extra flavor and crunch.
• Customize the bento by adding other side dishes such as seaweed salad or tempura vegetables.
• Use short-grain sushi rice for the best texture and stickiness.
• Pack the bento tightly to prevent the ingredients from shifting during transportation.

Serving advice

Enjoy the Homestyle Teriyaki Chicken Bento at room temperature or slightly chilled. It is traditionally eaten with chopsticks, savoring each bite of the flavorful teriyaki chicken and the refreshing side dishes.

Presentation advice

Arrange the sliced teriyaki chicken in an attractive pattern on top of the sushi rice. Place the vibrant side dishes in separate compartments of the bento box to create an appealing visual contrast.