Mediterranean Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry with Veggies & Sesame Rice
This recipe blends the sweet-salty richness of teriyaki sauce with a Mediterranean twist by using olive oil, fresh vegetables, and light, herby notes. Juicy chicken, crisp bell peppers, and broccoli are tossed in a glossy homemade teriyaki sauce, then served over sesame-scented rice with corn and green onions. It’s colorful, balanced, and ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
Time
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Veggies
1 lb boneless chicken breast, sliced
1 tbsp olive oil or sesame oil
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
2 cups broccoli florets
3 cloves garlic, minced
For the Teriyaki Sauce
1/3 cup soy sauce
2–3 tbsp honey or brown sugar (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
1 tbsp sesame seeds (plus extra for garnish)
For the Rice
3 cups cooked white rice
1/2 cup sweet corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
2 tbsp green onions, chopped
Instructions
Prepare the rice:
In a bowl, mix the cooked white rice with sweet corn and green onions.
Keep warm and set aside.
Cook the chicken:
Heat olive oil or sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add sliced chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
Sauté the vegetables:
In the same pan, add bell peppers, broccoli, and garlic.
Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until tender-crisp.
Make the teriyaki sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey (or brown sugar), rice vinegar, and grated ginger.
Pour the sauce into the skillet with the vegetables.
Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened and glossy.
Combine:
Return the chicken to the skillet and toss everything together until coated in sauce.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Serve:
Spoon sesame rice into bowls, top with the teriyaki chicken stir-fry, and garnish with extra sesame seeds or green onions if desired.
Tips
Slice evenly: Cut chicken and vegetables into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
Don’t overcook broccoli: Add it last or blanch briefly before stir-frying to keep it bright and crisp.
Balance the sauce: Taste before thickening; add more honey for sweetness or more soy sauce for saltiness.
High heat is key: Stir-fry quickly over medium-high heat to keep vegetables crisp and chicken juicy.
Use leftover rice: Day-old rice works best for stir-fries as it’s less sticky.
Variations
Protein swap: Try shrimp, turkey strips, or firm tofu instead of chicken.
Extra veggies: Add mushrooms, zucchini, snap peas, or carrots for more color and nutrition.
Whole-grain twist: Serve with brown rice, quinoa, or farro instead of white rice.
Mediterranean flavor boost: Stir in chopped fresh herbs (parsley, basil) at the end for brightness.
Spicy kick: Add chili flakes or sliced fresh red chili to the sauce.
Q&A
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. You can prepare the rice, teriyaki sauce, and even cook the chicken and vegetables ahead. Store separately and combine when reheating to keep the veggies crisp.
Q: Can I make it gluten-free?
A: Absolutely. Use gluten-free soy sauce (or tamari) and check that your rice vinegar and other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
Q: Can I use store-bought teriyaki sauce?
A: Yes, but the homemade version here is lighter and more balanced. If using store-bought, reduce the amount of honey or sugar.
Q: How do I keep the chicken tender?
A: Avoid overcooking and slice against the grain. You can also marinate the chicken briefly in a little soy sauce and oil before cooking.
Q: Can I freeze it?
A: It’s best eaten fresh, but you can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce separately from the rice for up to 2 months.
Nutrition Facts
(per serving, based on 4 servings)
Calories: ~480
Protein: 30g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: ~880mg
(Values will vary depending on rice type, exact amounts of sauce, and oil used.)
Conclusion
Mediterranean Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry with Veggies & Sesame Rice is a quick, colorful, and flavorful dinner that merges Asian-inspired teriyaki flavors with Mediterranean touches like olive oil, fresh vegetables, and light herb accents. The combination of tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and sesame-scented rice makes it both satisfying and well-balanced. Perfect for busy nights, it’s a dish you can customize endlessly with different proteins, grains, and vegetables while keeping the sweet-salty balance at the heart of the recipe.