In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, and minced garlic until well blended. Place the chicken thighs in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it's well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for more intense flavor.
Rinse the jasmine rice thoroughly under cold running water until the water appears clear to remove excess starch. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice and 1 ½ cups of water or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for an additional 10 minutes to steam.
In a small saucepan, pour in the remaining marinade (you can reserve a small amount for drizzling when serving, if desired) and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. In a separate bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a smooth slurry. Once the marinade is simmering, stir in the cornstarch slurry, and simmer for another 2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Set aside.
Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off, and place them in the hot skillet. Cook for approximately 5-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked through and golden brown. To ensure doneness, check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (75°C) using a meat thermometer.
In the same skillet, add the broccoli florets and the julienned carrot. Sauté them together for about 3-4 minutes until they are tender but still crisp. If necessary, splash a little water into the skillet to help steam the vegetables evenly.
Once the chicken is cooked, slice it into strips and add it back into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Pour the thickened teriyaki sauce over the chicken and vegetables, tossing gently to ensure everything is well coated and heated through.
Fluff the cooked jasmine rice with a fork to separate the grains. Divide the rice evenly among 4 serving bowls. Top each bowl generously with the teriyaki chicken and vegetable mixture. If desired, drizzle with the reserved teriyaki sauce, and finish by garnishing with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Notes
For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Keyword chicken, japanese cuisine, rice bowl, teriyaki