Effortless One-Pan Teriyaki Chicken Casserole: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
Say goodbye to boring weeknight dinners and hello to a vibrant, flavor-packed meal that’s both easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying. This quick and simple Teriyaki Chicken Casserole is designed for busy schedules, offering a delicious homemade Asian-inspired dish that comes together with minimal fuss and cleanup. Imagine succulent chicken, an abundance of colorful vegetables, and a rich, savory homemade teriyaki sauce, all baked perfectly over a bed of fluffy rice. It’s a complete meal, served right from the skillet you cooked it in, making it an ideal solution for those evenings when you crave something special without spending hours in the kitchen. Dive into the delightful flavors of this simple yet impressive at-home Asian fare.
Why This Teriyaki Chicken Casserole Will Become Your Go-To Dinner
In our household, Asian cuisine holds a special place, often being our preferred takeout choice for those evenings when a break from cooking is much needed. However, there’s a unique joy in crafting these flavors right in your own kitchen. This Skillet Teriyaki Chicken Casserole stands out as a true culinary gem, effortlessly blending convenience with exceptional taste. It has been a steadfast favorite for years, especially on hectic weeknights when time for meal preparation is a luxury. Beyond its incredible ease, I feel genuinely good about serving and enjoying this dish. It’s packed with nutrient-rich vegetables, relies on lean chicken breast, and can be made with wholesome brown rice, ensuring it’s both delicious and mindful of your dietary goals.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. It caters to those who love the depth of Asian flavors but seek a more wholesome, homemade alternative to traditional takeout. With minimal ingredients and a straightforward cooking process, you can achieve a restaurant-quality meal that satisfies everyone at the table. Plus, the magic of cooking and serving it all in one pan means less cleanup, giving you more time to relax and enjoy your evening.
Should You Cook Chicken Before Adding it to Teriyaki Chicken Casserole?
When preparing this baked teriyaki chicken recipe, I always pre-cook the chicken breasts. This method ensures the chicken is perfectly tender and fully cooked when the casserole is finished baking. My preferred approach is to cook the raw chicken right in the same skillet that the casserole will be baked in. This adds another layer of flavor to the pan before assembling the dish and streamlines the cooking process by minimizing extra dishes.
For even greater convenience, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. You can easily use leftover cooked chicken, whether it’s from a previous meal or a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Simply shred or cube the cooked chicken and incorporate it into the casserole. This drastically cuts down on prep time, making it an even faster option for those super busy nights.
While it is possible to use raw chicken directly in a casserole, it’s crucial to adjust your cooking time accordingly. If starting with raw chicken, you will need to increase the baking duration significantly to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Always use a reliable meat thermometer to confirm the chicken is safe to eat. However, for the best texture and consistent results in this specific skillet casserole, I recommend pre-cooking your chicken.
Choosing Your Vegetables for Teriyaki Chicken Skillet Casserole
One of the best aspects of this Teriyaki Chicken Casserole is its incredible flexibility, especially when it comes to vegetables. I honestly love to switch up the veggie selection based on what I have readily available in my freezer or pantry. For ultimate convenience, I almost always reach for frozen vegetables – they make this casserole a true weeknight warrior!
My personal favorite combination for this dish includes one bag of frozen bell peppers and onions, which provides a fantastic aromatic base and bursts of color. I then add a bag of mixed vegetables that typically contains carrots, tender broccoli florets, crisp snap peas, and crunchy water chestnuts. This blend offers a delightful variety of textures and nutrients. When I have them on hand, I also love to toss in a can of bamboo shoots; their unique crunch adds an authentic Asian touch that I find irresistible.
But don’t feel limited to my suggestions! This recipe is a blank canvas for your favorite vegetables. Consider adding:
- **Fresh Vegetables:** While frozen offers convenience, thinly sliced fresh carrots, broccoli florets, mushrooms, or even thinly sliced zucchini can be incorporated. If using fresh, you might want to lightly sauté harder vegetables like carrots or broccoli before adding them to ensure they cook through evenly.
- **Leafy Greens:** A handful of fresh spinach or baby bok choy can be wilted into the casserole during the last few minutes of baking.
- **Spice Level:** For a touch of heat, finely diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can be added with the vegetables.
- **Other Asian Staples:** Edamame, corn, or even bean sprouts can be delicious additions.
The key is to use approximately 20-24 ounces of your chosen vegetables to ensure a good balance of flavors and textures in the casserole. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your perfect veggie medley!
Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
As mentioned, this recipe is highly adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your preferences and what you have on hand. The following list outlines the core ingredients I use to create this flavorful and satisfying skillet meal. Feel free to make it your own by swapping out ingredients where noted.
- **Chicken:** About 1 1/2 pounds of chicken breasts, cubed for even cooking. For those who prefer a richer flavor and juicier texture, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent alternative.
- **Rice:** 3-4 cups of cooked brown rice form the base of this hearty casserole. Brown rice adds a nutty flavor and extra fiber, making the meal more wholesome. However, white rice, jasmine rice, or basmati rice are all fantastic options if you prefer a different texture or flavor profile. Ensure the rice is cooked according to package instructions before adding it to the casserole.
- **Frozen Vegetables:** Approximately 20-24 ounces of your favorite frozen mixed vegetables. As discussed, a blend of bell peppers, onions, broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and water chestnuts is a great starting point, but any combination you enjoy will work beautifully.
- **Sesame Oil:** This ingredient is truly non-negotiable for authentic Asian flavor! I highly recommend investing in a bottle of high-quality sesame oil if you don’t already have one. It imparts a distinct nutty aroma and taste that elevates this teriyaki casserole from good to extraordinary. Use it for sautéing your chicken and as a crucial component of the homemade teriyaki sauce.
- **Homemade Teriyaki Sauce:** The secret to this casserole’s incredible flavor. Making it from scratch allows you to control the sweetness and saltiness, ensuring a fresh and vibrant taste that far surpasses most store-bought alternatives. For this essential sauce, you’ll need:
- Water
- Soy sauce (low sodium is often preferred for better control over saltiness)
- Brown sugar (for that classic sweetness and depth)
- Honey (adds another layer of natural sweetness and helps with glaze consistency)
- Ground ginger (provides a warm, aromatic kick)
- Minced garlic (a fundamental flavor builder in Asian cuisine)
- Corn starch (to thicken the sauce to a perfect glaze-like consistency)
Having these ingredients ready will set you up for success in creating a truly memorable Teriyaki Chicken Casserole.
To begin assembling your skillet casserole, heat 2-3 tablespoons of sesame oil in your cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breasts and cook until they are thoroughly browned and cooked through, ensuring no pink remains. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. Next, spread your perfectly prepared rice evenly across the bottom of the skillet, creating a comforting base. Gently place the cooked chicken back into the skillet, distributing it over the rice layer.
With the chicken and rice base established, it’s time to add the vibrant vegetables. Arrange the frozen vegetables generously over the chicken and rice mixture, spreading them out evenly. Finally, pour your freshly prepared homemade teriyaki sauce over the entire casserole, ensuring it coats the vegetables and begins to seep down into the layers. Once everything is assembled, your Teriyaki Chicken Casserole is ready for the oven to bake to perfection.
Finish off your delectable Teriyaki Chicken Casserole with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and freshly sliced green onions for an extra burst of flavor and a beautiful presentation.
The full printable and complete recipe, including detailed instructions and measurements, is conveniently located at the bottom of this post.
One of the greatest joys of this dish is serving it directly from the skillet, minimizing cleanup and adding to its rustic charm. When serving, I like to offer additional garnishes like extra sesame seeds, crunchy sunflower seeds, and crispy chow mein noodles on the side, allowing everyone to customize their bowl to perfection.
Love This Recipe? Pin It for Later!
If you’re as excited as I am to try this incredible Chicken & Rice Teriyaki Casserole recipe, don’t let it get lost in the endless scroll of the internet! Make sure you can easily find it again by pinning it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go. It’s the perfect way to save this fantastic weeknight meal idea for whenever you need a quick and delicious dinner solution.
This recipe makes a generous batch, perfect for feeding a family or for ensuring you have plenty of delicious leftovers. And trust me, these leftovers are absolutely amazing for lunch the next day, making meal prep a breeze! If you’re cooking for a smaller crowd or simply want to scale down the recipe, it’s incredibly simple to do – just cut all the ingredients in half, and you’ll have a perfectly sized portion.
The Magic of a One-Pan Teriyaki Chicken Skillet Casserole
When I first started making this delightful Teriyaki Chicken Casserole, I used to meticulously transfer all the components from the skillet to a separate casserole dish for baking. Then, a moment of culinary enlightenment struck: why create extra dishes when the goal is an easy meal? That’s when I realized the true genius of using a sturdy cast iron skillet – it moves seamlessly from stovetop to oven, transforming this into an incredible one-pot cooking experience. This simple shift has made the recipe even more beloved in our home, embodying the ultimate convenience for busy weeknights.
For those days when you prefer not to bake, or if you simply want an even faster preparation, you have an alternative. You can mix the homemade teriyaki sauce directly into the cooked vegetables and chicken in the skillet, warming everything through on the stovetop. This flavorful mixture can then be served immediately over freshly prepared rice (or even fried rice) for a quick and satisfying meal. The baking portion of this recipe primarily serves to meld all the flavors together and ensure everything is heated through since all the main components – chicken, rice, and sauce – are already cooked. This flexibility means you can enjoy this dish in a way that best suits your schedule and preferences.
This versatile recipe also welcomes substitutions for the chicken. It’s equally delicious with cubed beef, shrimp, or even firm tofu for a vegetarian twist. You can also leave the protein out entirely for a flavorful, meatless meal packed with delicious vegetables and rice. The homemade teriyaki sauce is truly the star that brings everything together!
More Asian Food Favorites to Explore
As I mentioned earlier, my family and I have a deep appreciation for all kinds of Asian foods. There’s something inherently comforting and exciting about the diverse flavors and cooking techniques found in Asian cuisine. Beyond this fantastic Teriyaki Chicken Casserole, I’m thrilled to share some of my other cherished recipes that bring the essence of Asian dining right into your home. These dishes are perfect for expanding your culinary repertoire and satisfying your cravings for vibrant, aromatic meals.
- Pad Thai Wonderpot (pictured above): A convenient, one-pot take on the classic Thai noodle dish, loaded with flavor and easy to make.
- Sweet Heat Asian Grilled Shrimp Skewers: Perfect for grilling season, these skewers offer a delightful balance of sweet and spicy.
- Asian Beef, Mushrooms and Snow Peas: A savory stir-fry featuring tender beef and crisp vegetables in a delicious sauce.
- Asian Slaw: A refreshing and crunchy side dish, bursting with flavor and perfect for complementing any Asian meal.
- Classic Fried Rice: A versatile and comforting staple, great for using up leftover rice and adding your favorite mix-ins.
- PF Chang’s Lettuce Wrap Salad: Recreate the restaurant favorite at home with this light, flavorful, and customizable recipe.
- Beef Lo Mein: Satisfy your noodle cravings with this hearty and savory beef lo mein, better than takeout!
- Basic Garlic Fried Rice: A simple yet incredibly aromatic fried rice recipe that makes a fantastic side or light meal.
It’s time to gather your ingredients and mix up some incredible Teriyaki Chicken Casserole! You’re just moments away from a fantastic, homemade meal that will delight your taste buds and simplify your dinner routine. Enjoy every flavorful bite!
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Print Recipe
Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
Equipment
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Lodge 3.6 Quart Enamel Cast Iron Casserole Dish with Lid (Carribbean Blue)
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Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet With Assist Handle, 10.25″, Black
Ingredients
- About 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts cubed
- 3 cups brown rice
- 20-24 ounces frozen mixed veggies use what you like. I like bell peppers, onions, broccoli, carrots snap peas and water chestnuts
- 1 8 ounce can bamboo shoots, optional
- 2-3 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
- optional for garnishing: green onions sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, chow mein noodles
- For the Teriyaki Sauce:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup soy sauce I use low sodium
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons of corns starch dissolved in 2 Tablespoons of water
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).
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Prepare rice according to package instructions. Set aside.
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In a saucepan, whisk together all Teriyaki sauce ingredients (with the exception of the cornstarch mixture). Bring the sauce to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for about 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Whisk in the cornstarch mixture (cornstarch dissolved in water). The sauce will begin to thicken quite quickly. Once it reaches your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and set aside.
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Add 2-3 Tablespoons of Sesame oil to a cast-iron skillet (or an oven-safe skillet) and heat over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken and sauté until it is fully cooked through and lightly browned on all sides. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
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Spread the prepared rice evenly in the bottom of the skillet. Top the rice with the cooked chicken, distributing it across the skillet. Next, spread the frozen vegetables over the chicken layer. Finally, pour the thickened teriyaki sauce generously over the top of the vegetables, ensuring everything is well coated.
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Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, bubbly, and the flavors have melded beautifully.
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Garnish your baked casserole with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, crispy chow mein noodles, or sunflower seeds if desired, right before serving. Serve hot, directly from the skillet!
Notes
This casserole is also perfect for making ahead! You can easily prepare and layer all the ingredients in the skillet or a casserole dish in advance, then refrigerate it. When you’re ready to eat, simply bake until heated through and bubbly for a fresh-tasting meal with minimal effort on a busy day.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on January 28, 2015. It was meticulously updated to enhance user experience, improve SEO, and provide more comprehensive details, then re-posted on January 25, 2021.
Recipe adapted from Oh Sweet Basil.