This is a freezer-friendly bento recipe that you can eat right after microwaving. It features tender and juicy chicken thighs simmered in a teriyaki sauce, paired with colorful and hearty side dishes: carrot stir-fry and seasoned bonito pepper. Even when frozen, the chicken remains juicy and tender, making it easy to enjoy a delicious bento on busy days. It's a budget-friendly and convenient option for anyone looking to simplify their bento preparation!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients (5 servings)

  • Bell Peppers 4 pcs (120g)
  • Bonito Flakes (Katsuobushi) 1 pack
  • Carrot 1 pc (150g)
  • Egg 1 pc
  • Chicken Thigh 1 pc (350g)
  • Potato Starch 1 tbsp
  • Cooked Rice 3 cups (approx. 450g)
  • Toasted Sesame Seeds A little

Seasonings

  • Dashi Granules 1/2 tsp
  • Mayonnaise 1 tbsp
  • Soy Sauce 1 tsp
  • Sugar 1/2 tsp
  • Salt A pinch
  • [A] Mirin (Sweet Rice Wine) 1 tbsp
  • [A] Soy Sauce 1 tbsp
  • [A] Sugar 1/2 tbsp

Steps

  1. In a freezer-safe container, place cooked rice (approx. 450g total), aiming for 180g to 200g per portion. Cover with the lid placed diagonally to prevent drying, and let it cool slightly.
  2. Cut 4 bell peppers (120g) in half lengthwise, remove the stems and seeds, and thinly slice into 3mm strips.
  3. Place the thinly sliced bell peppers in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on 600W for 2 minutes.
  4. Drain the microwaved bell peppers in a colander, let them cool, and then squeeze out excess water firmly by hand.
  5. In a bowl, combine the squeezed bell peppers, 1 pack of Bonito Flakes (Katsuobushi), and 1/2 tsp Dashi Granules. Mix well.
  6. Peel and julienne 1 carrot (150g).
  7. In a separate bowl, whisk 1 egg with 1 tbsp Mayonnaise.
  8. Trim excess fat from 1 chicken thigh (350g) and cut it into 15 bite-sized pieces.
  9. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and 1 tbsp Potato Starch onto the chicken pieces. Close the bag and shake to coat the chicken evenly with potato starch. [Key Tip!] Coating with potato starch will keep the chicken tender and juicy even after freezing.
  10. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat and stir-fry the julienned carrots until softened.
  11. Once the carrots are softened, push them to the side of the pan. Pour the whisked egg into the cleared space and scramble it to make scrambled eggs.
  12. Once the scrambled eggs are cooked, mix them with the carrots.
  13. Add 1 tsp Soy Sauce and 1/2 tsp Sugar to the mixture and stir-fry to combine.
  14. Transfer the cooked carrot and egg mixture to a bowl.
  15. Clean the frying pan, add oil, and heat over medium heat.
  16. Place the potato starch-coated chicken pieces, skin-side down, into the heated pan and sear until golden brown.
  17. Flip the chicken pieces, reduce heat to low-medium, cover with a lid, and steam for 2 minutes.
  18. After steaming, wipe away excess oil from the pan with a paper towel.
  19. Add [A] 1 tbsp Mirin (Sweet Rice Wine), [A] 1 tbsp Soy Sauce, and [A] 1/2 tbsp Sugar to the pan. Cook over medium to low-medium heat, reducing the sauce until it coats the chicken. [Key Tip!] The sauce will adhere well to the potato starch-coated chicken, making it a perfect match for rice.
  20. Once the sauce has thickened and coated the chicken, turn off the heat.
  21. In the container with cooled rice, place the seasoned bonito pepper and carrot stir-fry on one half.
  22. Arrange the teriyaki chicken pieces on the other half.
  23. Sprinkle a little Toasted Sesame Seeds over the teriyaki chicken.
  24. For best quality, consume within 3 weeks when stored frozen.
  25. When reheating, place the lid diagonally (if it's heat-resistant) or cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on 600W for 4 to 4.5 minutes.

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