Teriyaki Chicken Bento Box
Back-to-school season means busy mornings and packed schedules, but lunch doesn’t have to be boring—or complicated. This easy teriyaki chicken bento box recipe is a game-changer: juicy, flavorful, and perfectly coated in a glossy homemade sauce. It’s kid-friendly, high in protein, and versatile enough to work for adult lunches—or even a simple weeknight dinner.
Paired with sushi-style rice and a few colorful veggies, this teriyaki chicken bento box transforms ordinary lunch prep into something exciting, balanced, and delicious. Whether you’re packing a bento for school, work, or just a nourishing meal at home, this teriyaki chicken hits all the right notes: tasty, convenient, and satisfying.
This Teriyaki Chicken Bento Box is part of our Back to School Protein Series, designed to make weekday lunches healthy, kid-friendly, and easy to prepare. Each recipe in the series focuses on protein-packed meals that kids actually enjoy, helping parents create balanced lunches that fuel the school day without extra stress.
Ingredients for Teriyaki Chicken
- CHICKEN BREASTS (sliced in half to make thinner)
- SOY SAUCE
- MIRIN
- FRESH GINGER
- GARLIC
- MAPLE SYRUP
- NEUTRAL OIL (like GRAPESEED)
- SALT + PEPPER
- CORNSTARCH (combined with water to thicken sauce)
- SESAME SEEDS (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Teriyaki Chicken Bento Boxes
1.) Prep chicken: Pat dry, cut into bite-sized pieces or leave whole for slicing. Lightly season with salt and pepper (just a little because sauce is salty).
2.) Sear: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add chicken; cook until golden (3–4 min per side for whole pieces, less if small).
3.) Cut cooked chicken into slices and set aside.
4.) Follow recipe for teriyaki sauce and heat in a saute pan. Add chicken and turn to glaze it on all sides with the sauce.
5) Package in a bento box with steamed rice and vegetables and sprinkle with sesame seeds for a delicious and nutritious lunch.
Teriyaki Chicken Bento Box
Juicy chicken glazed in a quick homemade teriyaki sauce makes the perfect centerpiece for any bento. This kid-approved, protein-packed favorite pairs beautifully with steamed rice and broccoli for a complete, delicious school lunch. Simple skillet cooking gives tender chicken coated in a glossy, flavorful sauce—ready to slice, pack, and enjoy!
Ingredients
EASY TERIYAKI SAUCE
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 3 TBSP mirin
- 2 TBSP honey or maple syrup
- 1–2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 2 teaspoons water
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 Tbsp neutral oil (grapeseed and canola)
- Sesame seeds + green onion for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Combine soy sauce, mirin, honey, ginger, garlic in a small pan over medium heat.
- Simmer gently for 3–5 min.
- Optional: Mix cornstarch + water, stir in, cook 1–2 min until glossy.
- Let cool slightly; pack in a small leak-proof container for the bento.
- Prep chicken: Very lightly season with salt and pepper (sauce is salty).
- Sear: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add chicken; cook until golden (3–4 min per side for whole pieces, less if small).
- Remove chicken from pan and slice into strips.
- Glaze with sauce: Lower heat to medium, pour in teriyaki sauce. Let bubble/thicken, turning chicken to coat. If sauce reduces too quickly, add 1–2 Tbsp water.
- Remove from heat and add a little extra sauce on top before packing in bento box. Optionally sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Notes
Pair with rice and steamed veggies.