Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs with Sesame Rice

If you love sweet and savory dishes, these Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs with Sesame Rice will steal your heart. The juicy meatballs are glazed with a rich, sticky teriyaki sauce and paired with fluffy sesame-flavored rice. It’s an easy, satisfying meal perfect for weeknights or weekend dinners.

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What Makes This Recipe Special
It’s all about balancing flavor and texture. The meatballs are tender and juicy, with a hint of garlic and sesame, while the rice is light and fragrant. Together, they create a comforting meal that you’ll keep craving.

Reasons to Love This Recipe:

• Sweet and Savory Perfection: The teriyaki sauce hits just the right balance of sweet and salty.
• Kid-Friendly: These meatballs are a hit with picky eaters!
• Quick to Make: Dinner ready in under 40 minutes.
• Customizable: Easily swap ingredients to suit dietary needs.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Meatballs:

• Ground Chicken (1 lb): Juicy and light, perfect for soaking up the teriyaki glaze.
• Panko Breadcrumbs (½ cup): Keeps the meatballs tender and moist.
• Egg (1 large): Binds the meatball mixture together.
• Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Adds a subtle kick of flavor.
• Green Onion (2 stalks, finely chopped): A fresh and mild onion flavor.
• Soy Sauce (1 tbsp): Adds umami and depth to the meatballs.
• Sesame Oil (1 tbsp): For a hint of nuttiness.
• Salt & Pepper: To taste.

For the Teriyaki Sauce:

• Soy Sauce (¼ cup): Forms the base of the sauce.
• Brown Sugar (2 tbsp): Adds sweetness and caramelization.
• Garlic (1 clove, minced): Deepens the sauce’s flavor.
• Ginger (1 tsp, grated): Adds warmth and spice.
• Honey (1 tbsp): Natural sweetness that complements the sauce.
• Cornstarch (1 tsp) + Water (2 tbsp): To thicken the sauce.

For the Sesame Rice:

• Jasmine Rice (1 cup): Soft and fluffy, perfect for soaking up the sauce.
• Water (2 cups): For cooking the rice.
• Sesame Oil (1 tbsp): Adds flavor and aroma.
• Toasted Sesame Seeds (1 tbsp): A crunchy, nutty garnish.
• Salt (to taste)

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowl
• Large skillet
• Medium saucepan
• Whisk

Let’s Make Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs with Sesame Rice

Step 1: Prepare the Meatball Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, green onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.

Step 2: Shape and Cook the Meatballs
Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the meatballs for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 3: Make the Teriyaki Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, ginger, honey, and cornstarch mixture. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the meatballs and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meatballs.

Step 4: Cook the Sesame Rice
While the meatballs are cooking, rinse the jasmine rice and cook it in 2 cups of water until fluffy (about 15 minutes). Once done, drizzle sesame oil over the rice, stir, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Plate the sesame rice and top with the glazed teriyaki meatballs. Garnish with extra green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

What to Serve with This Dish

• Steamed broccoli or green beans.
• A light cucumber salad with soy dressing.
• A side of miso soup for a cozy meal.

Tips for Perfect Teriyaki Meatballs and Rice

• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the meatball ingredients can make them dense.
• Use a Cookie Scoop: Ensures uniform meatballs that cook evenly.
• Double the Sauce: If you love extra sauce, make a double batch and drizzle it over the rice.
• Toast Your Sesame Seeds: This step brings out their nutty flavor.

Storing and Reheating

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Freeze meatballs and sauce separately for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm on the stovetop with a splash of water or soy sauce to prevent drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
  Yes, ground turkey works perfectly.
• Is there a gluten-free option?
  Use gluten-free soy sauce and breadcrumbs.
• Can I make this ahead of time?
  Absolutely! Make the meatballs and sauce ahead and reheat before serving.

Conclusion
These Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs with Sesame Rice are everything you need in a quick, flavorful meal. With their sticky glaze and nutty rice, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Don’t forget to leave a review below and share your photos on Pinterest! I can’t wait to see how your dish turns out.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 360 | Protein: 22g | Carbohydrates: 28g | Fat: 15g | Fiber: 2g | Sodium: 500mg

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