Best Teriyaki Chicken Donburi Recipe: Make Authentic Japanese at Home

Teriyaki Chicken Donburi.

Yields: 2-3 servings

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• For the Chicken:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces1

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • Optional: 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.

• For the Teriyaki Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

  • 1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)

  • 2 tablespoons sake (Japanese rice wine)

  • 2 tablespoons sugar (brown or white)

  • 1 teaspoon of grated ginger.

• For the Donburi:

  • 2-3 cups cooked Japanese short-grain rice

  • Optional garnishes:

  • Sliced green onions

  • Sesame seeds

  • Shredded nori (dried seaweed)
    

Equipment:

• Large skillet or frying pan

• Small saucepan (or use the same skillet)

• Cutting board

• Knife
  

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

• If desired, for a thicker sauce, place the chicken pieces into a bowl, and sprinkle the cornstarch over the chicken, and toss to coat the chicken pieces evenly.

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

• Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
  

2. Make the Teriyaki Sauce:

• In a small saucepan (or the same skillet after removing the chicken), combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and grated ginger.

• Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

• Continue to simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 5-7 minutes.

• Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the teriyaki sauce.

• Toss the chicken to coat it evenly with the sauce.

• Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to further thicken and glaze the chicken.
  

3. Assemble the Donburi:

• Divide the cooked Japanese rice among serving bowls.

• Top the rice with the teriyaki chicken and the sauce.

• Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or shredded nori, if desired.
  

Tips and Variations:

• Chicken:

  • Chicken thighs are recommended for their tenderness and flavor, but chicken breasts can also be used.

• Sauce:

  • Adjust the sugar to your preference for sweetness.

  • If you do not have sake, you can substitute with dry sherry.

• Rice:

  • Japanese short-grain rice is ideal for donburi because of its slightly sticky texture.2

• Vegetables:

  • You can add other vegetables to the donburi, such as steamed broccoli, sautéed spinach, or thinly sliced carrots.

• Spice:

  • For a spicy kick, add a dash of red pepper flakes to the teriyaki sauce.

Enjoy your homemade Teriyaki Chicken Donburi!