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Easy No-Sog Chicken Teriyaki: Best Bento Box for Kids

no-sog chicken teriyaki bento box - featured image
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This no-sog chicken teriyaki is the perfect bento box solution—thick, glossy sauce clings to tender chicken without making rice soggy. Ready in 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, it’s kid-approved and ideal for school lunches or quick weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • ¼ cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) honey
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) mirin
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) rice vinegar
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil (avocado or vegetable)
  • Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Cut into 1-inch cubes and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, mirin, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. In a separate tiny bowl, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry.
  3. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add neutral oil. Once shimmering, add chicken pieces in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until cooked through.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and toss to coat. Let simmer for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
  5. Stir the cornstarch slurry, then pour into the pan. Stir continuously for 30-45 seconds until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. If too thick, add a tablespoon of water; if too thin, simmer another 30 seconds.
  6. Remove from heat and let chicken cool in the sauce for 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a bento box, leaving excess sauce behind. Cool completely before closing the lid.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly for best sear. Let chicken cool completely before packing to avoid condensation. For gluten-free, use tamari and gluten-free mirin. For a spicy kick, add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or sriracha. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days; flavor improves overnight.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken teriyaki, bento box, kid-friendly, no-sog, easy dinner, school lunch, 30-minute meal

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/easy-no-sog-chicken-teriyaki-best-bento-box-for-kids/