Some of the most beloved dishes in the world are built on a foundation of simple, perfectly executed fundamentals. A great bowl of ramen, for instance, is all about the broth. The same principle applies to other Japanese-inspired classics. A truly satisfying bowl of chicken teriyaki with rice and broccoli isn’t about fancy tricks; it’s about mastering the basics. It’s about ensuring the rice is fluffy, the chicken is juicy, the broccoli is crisp, and the sauce strikes that magical balance between sweet and savory. At Otaku Ramen, our passion is perfecting these details. In this guide, we’ll break down each component, showing you how to build a better bowl from the ground up, creating a meal that is simple, balanced, and deeply satisfying.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize the Right Ingredients: For the most tender, flavorful chicken, always opt for boneless, skinless thighs. And for perfectly fluffy rice that soaks up the sauce, make sure you start with uncooked grains—it’s a non-negotiable for getting the texture right.
- Create Deep Flavor with Searing and Sauce: The key to a restaurant-quality bowl is a two-part process. First, sear your chicken over high heat to create a rich, savory crust. Second, use a well-balanced teriyaki sauce to coat every ingredient in a glossy, sweet-and-savory glaze.
- Master Your Pan’s Heat and Timing: To avoid mushy results, manage your technique. Add broccoli only during the last five minutes of cooking to steam it to a perfect crisp-tender. This simple timing trick ensures every component in your bowl has the ideal texture.
What Makes a Great Chicken Teriyaki Bowl?
Let’s be honest, a truly fantastic chicken teriyaki bowl is a thing of beauty. It’s that perfect weeknight meal that feels both comforting and a little special. But what separates a decent bowl from a truly memorable one? It comes down to a few key things that work together in perfect harmony. When every element is just right, you get a meal that’s satisfying, flavorful, and surprisingly simple to pull off.
First and foremost, it’s all about the sauce. A great teriyaki sauce strikes that magical balance between sweet and savory, with a rich, glossy glaze that coats every piece of chicken and broccoli. It should be flavorful enough to stand on its own, infusing the entire dish with its signature taste without requiring hours of marinating. This sauce is the heart of the bowl, bringing all the other components together.
Next up is the perfect balance of ingredients. You need tender, juicy chicken, vibrant broccoli that still has a bit of a crisp bite, and a foundation of fluffy rice to soak up all that delicious sauce. This classic combination isn’t just about taste—it creates a well-rounded meal that leaves you feeling full and satisfied. At Otaku Ramen, we believe every dish, from our signature ramen to other Japanese-inspired favorites, should offer that same satisfying balance of flavors and textures.
Finally, a great chicken teriyaki bowl is all about convenience. The best recipes often come together in a single pan, which means less time spent on cleanup and more time enjoying your food. This one-pan approach also allows the flavors of the chicken, broccoli, and sauce to meld together beautifully. It’s a testament to the idea that incredible food doesn’t have to be complicated, a philosophy we pour into every bowl we serve, rooted in a deep respect for the craft of Japanese cooking.
Gather Your Ingredients
A truly great teriyaki bowl starts with the right components. Think of it like building a foundation—get these basics right, and you’re already halfway to a delicious, satisfying meal that brings a little happiness to your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need and why each ingredient is key to getting that perfect, restaurant-quality result in just one pan.
Choose the Right Cut of Chicken
For a one-pan dish that comes together quickly, you want a cut of chicken that stays tender and juicy. That’s why I always recommend boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They have a bit more fat than breasts, which means more flavor and less risk of drying out when seared at high heat. While you can certainly use chicken breast if that’s what you have on hand, you’ll need to watch it carefully to avoid overcooking. For that signature succulent bite you love in a good teriyaki chicken bowl, thighs are definitely the way to go.
Pick the Perfect Rice
This might be the most important tip for this recipe: start with uncooked white rice. I know it’s tempting to use leftover cooked rice to save time, but it will turn mushy as it soaks up the sauce and steams with the other ingredients. Using uncooked rice allows it to cook perfectly right in the pan, absorbing all that savory teriyaki flavor while maintaining a wonderfully fluffy texture. Just measure it out and give it a quick rinse before adding it to the pan. Any long-grain white rice or jasmine rice will work beautifully here, creating the perfect base for your bowl.
Select and Prep Your Broccoli
No one likes soggy broccoli. To keep your florets bright green and perfectly crisp-tender, timing is everything. You’ll want to add the broccoli right on top of the chicken and rice during the last five minutes of cooking. This allows it to steam perfectly without turning to mush. If you happen to like your broccoli on the softer side, feel free to add it a couple of minutes earlier. Just chop your head of broccoli into bite-sized florets, and they’ll be ready to go when the time is right. It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference in the final dish.
Understand Your Teriyaki Sauce
The sauce is what brings everything together in this one-pan teriyaki chicken and rice dish. You’ve got two great options here. For a quick and easy weeknight meal, a quality store-bought teriyaki sauce is your best friend. Brands like Yoshida or P.F. Chang’s offer a fantastic balance of sweet and savory flavors. Or, if you want to channel your inner chef, making your own sauce lets you control the ingredients. At Otaku Ramen, we’re all about perfecting flavors, and a homemade sauce lets you do just that by adjusting the sweetness and saltiness to your exact liking. We’ll cover a simple homemade recipe a little later on.
How to Make Your Chicken Teriyaki Bowl, Step by Step
Ready to bring it all together? This is where the magic happens. Making a delicious chicken teriyaki bowl at home is much simpler than you might think, especially when you can cook almost everything in a single pan. We’re going to walk through each part of the process, from getting a perfect sear on the chicken to steaming the broccoli just right. The goal is a balanced, flavorful meal that feels like a treat but comes together with minimal fuss and cleanup.
At Otaku Ramen, we believe that creating incredible food is about mastering the fundamentals, and that’s exactly what we’ll do here. Each step builds on the last, layering flavors and textures to create a truly satisfying dish. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just getting started, these steps will guide you to a fantastic result. So, grab your favorite skillet, and let’s get cooking. We’re on a mission to create a bowl of pure comfort, inspired by the Japanese flavors we love and share with our community every day.
Marinate and Sear the Chicken
First things first, let’s get that chicken perfectly tender and flavorful. You can use either chicken breast or thighs, but I’m partial to boneless, skinless thighs because they stay incredibly juicy. Cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces and let them hang out in your teriyaki sauce for at least 15 minutes. This quick marinade makes all the difference. When you’re ready, heat a little oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and let it sear without moving it for a few minutes. You’re looking for a beautiful, deep golden-brown crust before you flip it. This searing process is what creates that rich, savory flavor.
Cook the Rice
While your chicken is sizzling away, it’s time to prepare the rice. This is a crucial step for building the foundation of your bowl. Before you do anything else, give your rice a good rinse under cold water. Don’t skip this! Rinsing the grains removes excess surface starch, which is the secret to getting that perfectly fluffy rice instead of a sticky clump. Once rinsed, cook it according to the package instructions. Whether you’re using a classic short-grain white rice, brown rice, or even quinoa, getting it just right will make your final bowl so much better. A simple guide to cooking rice can be a lifesaver if you’re trying a new variety.
Steam the Broccoli
Time to add some green to the pan. Once your chicken is cooked through, you can add your broccoli florets directly into the same skillet. This is my favorite part of any one-pan meal—the flavors all get to mingle. Just add the broccoli, pour in a couple of tablespoons of water, and cover the pan. The steam will cook the broccoli to a perfect crisp-tender texture in about 5 minutes. It will also soak up some of that delicious teriyaki glaze from the chicken, making it extra tasty. If you prefer your broccoli a bit softer, just leave it in for another minute or two. This method keeps it bright green and full of nutrients.
Put It All Together
You’ve made it to the finish line! Now for the best part: assembling your bowl. Start with a generous scoop of fluffy rice at the bottom. Top it with the savory seared chicken and the vibrant, crisp-tender broccoli. Be sure to spoon any extra teriyaki sauce from the pan over everything—that glaze is liquid gold. Garnish with some toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions for a little extra flair. It’s a meal that feels special enough for a Friday night but is easy enough for a Tuesday. And for those nights when you want someone else to handle the cooking, you can always order your favorite bowl of happiness from us.
Perfect Your Teriyaki Sauce
The secret to an unforgettable chicken teriyaki bowl isn’t just the perfectly seared chicken or the crisp broccoli—it’s the sauce. This glossy, sweet, and savory glaze is what ties everything together, turning simple ingredients into something truly special. While our passion at Otaku Ramen is perfecting broth, we believe that any great Japanese-inspired dish starts with mastering its foundational flavors. Getting your teriyaki sauce right is the most important step, and it’s easier than you think. Whether you choose the convenience of a store-bought bottle or the satisfaction of making your own, a little attention to the sauce will make your final dish sing. We’ll walk through how to get that perfect balance and consistency that makes a teriyaki bowl so comforting and delicious.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Which Is Better?
Honestly, there’s no wrong answer here—it all comes down to your preference and how much time you have. A good quality store-bought sauce can be a lifesaver on a busy weeknight, delivering consistent flavor without any extra prep. But if you have a few extra minutes, making your own sauce is a game-changer. You get complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to adjust the sweetness, saltiness, and even the type of sweetener you use. It’s a fantastic way to avoid extra preservatives or high-fructose corn syrup and tailor the flavor profile perfectly to your liking. Plus, there’s a certain satisfaction that comes from creating that delicious sauce from scratch.
Balance Sweet, Salty, and Savory Flavors
The magic of teriyaki lies in its perfect harmony of flavors. To achieve this, you need to balance three key elements. For the salty and savory base, soy sauce is the classic choice (or tamari for a gluten-free option). For sweetness, you can use granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup—each adds a slightly different character. The final touch is a bit of mirin (a sweet Japanese rice wine) or sake, which adds a subtle tang and authentic depth. Don’t be afraid to taste and adjust as you go. If it tastes too salty, add a little more sugar. Too sweet? A splash more soy sauce will do the trick. This is your sauce, so make it taste exactly how you want it.
Get the Perfect Sauce Consistency
A great teriyaki sauce should be thick enough to coat the chicken and vegetables in a beautiful glaze, not a watery puddle at the bottom of your bowl. The easiest way to achieve this is with a simple cornstarch slurry. Just mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water until it’s completely smooth. The key is to mix it in a separate bowl before adding it to your simmering sauce—this prevents clumps. Pour the slurry into the pan and keep stirring as the sauce gently bubbles. It will thicken up in just a minute or two, leaving you with a perfectly glossy sauce ready to bring your bowl to life.
Pro Tips for Incredible Flavor and Texture
At Otaku Ramen, we know that the difference between a good meal and a great one comes down to the details. The same is true for your homemade chicken teriyaki. Getting the flavor and texture just right is what makes this dish so satisfying. These pro tips will help you master the small things that make a huge impact on your final bowl, ensuring every component is cooked to perfection, just like in our Nashville ramen shops.
Why High Heat Is Your Friend
Searing your chicken over high heat is crucial for developing a deep, savory flavor. This process, known as the Maillard reaction, creates that beautiful golden-brown crust. However, cooking is all about control. Once you add the rice and liquid, you’ll want to lower the heat to a gentle simmer. If the heat stays too high, the liquid will evaporate before the rice can absorb it, leaving you with a crunchy, undercooked base. Mastering this high-to-low heat transition is the secret to perfectly seared chicken and fluffy, fully cooked rice in one pan.
Nail the Perfect Chicken Texture
For consistently juicy and tender results, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are your best bet. Their higher fat content makes them more forgiving, so they stay moist even when cooked quickly over high heat. You can absolutely use chicken breast, but you’ll need to be more careful to avoid drying it out. A great trick is to pound the chicken breast to an even thickness before cutting it into pieces. This ensures it cooks faster and more uniformly. No matter which cut you choose, the goal is to have succulent, flavorful chicken that melts in your mouth with every bite.
Keep Your Broccoli Bright and Crisp
No one likes mushy, overcooked broccoli. To keep yours vibrant and crisp, add the florets on top of the rice during the last five minutes of cooking. Covering the pan will trap the steam, gently cooking the broccoli to a perfect tender-crisp texture while preserving its bright green color. This method also helps the broccoli absorb the savory aromas from the teriyaki sauce without becoming waterlogged. If you prefer your broccoli a bit softer, feel free to add it a few minutes earlier. This simple timing trick makes all the difference in both the taste and the visual appeal of your finished bowl.
Make It Your Own: How to Customize Your Bowl
One of the best things about cooking at home is that you’re the head chef. This recipe is a fantastic starting point, but the real fun begins when you start making it your own. Think of it like building your perfect bowl of ramen—you start with a great base and then add the proteins and toppings that you love most. Whether you’re cleaning out the fridge or just craving something a little different, this chicken teriyaki bowl is incredibly forgiving and easy to adapt. We’ll walk through some simple swaps for the protein, veggies, and even the rice, so you can create a dish that’s perfectly suited to your taste.
Swap the Protein and Add Extras
While this recipe is built around chicken, don’t feel locked in. You can easily use either chicken breast or boneless, skinless chicken thighs depending on what you have on hand—thighs will give you a richer, more tender result. For a vegetarian version, firm or extra-firm tofu works beautifully; just press it well to remove excess water before cubing and searing. Thinly sliced beef or shrimp are also delicious options. Just remember to adjust your cooking time accordingly. And don’t forget the extras! A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or even a drizzle of chili oil can add that final touch, much like the add-ons we offer on our menu.
Experiment with Different Veggies
Broccoli and teriyaki are a classic pairing, but your vegetable drawer is full of possibilities. This is a perfect opportunity to add more color, texture, and nutrients to your meal. Feel free to toss in other veggies like sliced red or green cabbage, julienned carrots, crisp snap peas, or colorful bell peppers. Edamame is another fantastic addition that brings a nice pop of green and a boost of protein. The key is to add heartier vegetables like carrots first, then follow with quicker-cooking ones like bell peppers or snap peas to ensure everything is perfectly tender-crisp. This flexibility makes it a great family-friendly meal that everyone can enjoy.
Try Other Grains Besides Rice
A bed of fluffy white rice is the traditional foundation for a teriyaki bowl, but you have plenty of other options for the base. You can serve your teriyaki chicken over brown or wild rice for a nuttier flavor and more fiber, or switch to quinoa for a complete protein. Just be sure to start with uncooked grains, as using leftover cooked rice can sometimes result in a mushy texture when mixed with the sauce. For a fun twist inspired by our love for noodles, you could even serve this over soba or udon. Perfecting the base of a dish is a craft we take seriously, and it’s a core part of our story and dedication to authentic flavor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the simplest recipes have a few potential trip-ups. But don’t worry—I’m here to help you sidestep them. Knowing what to watch for is half the battle, and these simple fixes will ensure your one-pan chicken teriyaki comes out perfectly every single time. Think of these less as rules and more as friendly tips from my kitchen to yours. With a little attention to detail, you’ll be serving up a meal that tastes like it came from a pro.
Don’t Overcook the Chicken or Broccoli
One of the most frequent missteps is cooking the chicken or broccoli for too long, leaving them dry and mushy. To keep your chicken juicy, sear it just until it’s cooked through. For the broccoli, timing is everything. You want it to be tender but still have a bit of a bite. A great trick is to add it to the pan later in the cooking process to preserve its bright green color and satisfying crunch. As one home cook suggests, if you happen to like your broccoli on the softer side, you can simply add it earlier. This gives you complete control over the final texture.
Sidestep Common Rice Pitfalls
Perfectly fluffy rice is the foundation of a great teriyaki bowl, but it can be surprisingly tricky. The single most important step is to rinse your rice before cooking. This quick rinse does more than just clean the grains; it removes excess surface starch, which is the main culprit behind sticky or gummy rice. Taking a minute to do this ensures your rice will cook up plump and fluffy, ready to soak up all that delicious teriyaki sauce. It’s a non-negotiable step for achieving that ideal, restaurant-quality texture at home.
Fix Your Sauce if Something Goes Wrong
Is your teriyaki sauce looking a little thin? It happens to the best of us, but there’s an easy solution. If your sauce hasn’t thickened to your liking by the time the chicken is done, don’t panic. You can simply remove the cooked chicken and broccoli from the pan and let the sauce simmer on its own over low heat. This gives it time to reduce and reach that perfect, glaze-like consistency. Once you’re happy with the thickness, just add the chicken and broccoli back in to coat. This simple adjustment can really perfect your sauce and bring the whole dish together.
Is Chicken Teriyaki Healthy? A Quick Breakdown
Let’s talk about whether your delicious bowl of chicken teriyaki fits into a healthy eating plan. The short answer is: absolutely, it can! Like any meal, it all comes down to the ingredients you choose and your portion sizes. A well-made teriyaki bowl is a fantastic example of a balanced meal, bringing together protein, carbs, and veggies in one satisfying dish.
The key is being mindful of what goes into it, especially the sauce. Store-bought teriyaki sauces can be surprisingly high in sodium and sugar, which can turn a healthy meal into something less ideal. But when you make it yourself, you have complete control. You can use fresh ingredients, lean chicken, and pack it with vibrant vegetables. It’s a dish that proves you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for nutrition. At Otaku Ramen, we believe that understanding your food is the first step to truly enjoying it, whether it’s a bowl of ramen or a classic like chicken teriyaki.
A Look at Calories and Macros
When you break it down, a homemade chicken teriyaki bowl has a pretty solid nutritional profile. For example, a typical homemade serving with chicken, rice, and veggies can land around 450 calories. It packs a serious punch of protein—about 35 grams—which is great for keeping you full and satisfied long after you’ve finished eating. You’ll also get a healthy dose of carbohydrates from the rice for energy. The main thing to watch is the sodium, which can be high depending on the soy sauce you use. Making your own teriyaki sauce is a simple way to manage the salt and sugar content, ensuring your meal is as wholesome as it is delicious.
The Benefits of a Balanced Bowl
One of the best things about a chicken teriyaki bowl is that it’s a complete, balanced meal all by itself. You’ve got your lean protein from the chicken, your energizing carbs from the rice, and a wealth of vitamins and fiber from the broccoli. It’s a powerhouse combination that makes for a truly satisfying meal without needing a ton of different side dishes. Putting together a quick stir-fry is an easy way to get a variety of nutrients in one go. This all-in-one approach not only makes dinner convenient but also ensures you’re fueling your body with a great mix of everything it needs to thrive.
Plating and Pairing Your Meal
Once your chicken teriyaki is cooked to perfection, the final step is bringing it all together. How you plate and what you serve alongside your bowl can transform a simple weeknight dinner into a truly satisfying meal. It’s all about creating balance in flavor, texture, and color to make your dish feel special. Think of it as the final flourish that makes your homemade meal feel like a restaurant-quality experience. A little attention to detail here goes a long way, making the meal more enjoyable for you and anyone you’re sharing it with. Let’s get your beautiful bowl ready for the table.
Find the Best Sides and Garnishes
Your one-pan meal is nearly complete on its own, but adding a few extra elements can introduce wonderful textures and colors. For a simple crunch, toss in some thinly sliced carrots, water chestnuts, or crisp bell peppers. If you want to build a more substantial meal, there are plenty of great side dishes that complement the sweet and savory teriyaki flavor. Steamed rice is a classic foundation, but pineapple fried rice can add a fun, sweet twist. For garnish, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and a scattering of finely chopped green onions add a fresh, finishing touch that makes the dish pop.
What to Drink with Your Teriyaki Bowl
Choosing the right drink can round out your meal perfectly. For a refreshing and classic pairing, you can’t go wrong with a tall glass of iced green tea. Its clean, slightly earthy flavor cuts through the richness of the teriyaki sauce without overpowering it. If you’re looking for something that feels a bit more celebratory, a light, fruity sake is an excellent choice that honors the dish’s Japanese roots. Of course, the best pairing is always what you enjoy most, so feel free to pour your favorite beverage. If you ever want inspiration, you can always check out our drink menu for ideas.
Tips for a Beautiful Presentation
We eat with our eyes first, so plating your teriyaki bowl thoughtfully makes the experience so much better. Start by creating a neat bed of rice at the bottom of your bowl. Next, arrange the bright, crisp broccoli around the edges, creating a colorful frame. Place the saucy teriyaki chicken right in the center. For that glossy, irresistible look, drizzle a little extra teriyaki sauce over the top. This simple layering technique creates a beautiful presentation that looks clean and deliberate. Finish it off with your garnishes, and you’ll have a meal that looks as incredible as it tastes.
Meal Prep and Time-Saving Hacks
Life gets busy, and even a quick one-pan meal can feel like a challenge on hectic weeknights. The beauty of this chicken teriyaki recipe is how well it lends itself to meal prepping. With a little planning, you can have a delicious, satisfying meal ready to go in minutes, saving you from the last-minute dinner scramble. Think of it as a gift to your future self.
These simple strategies will help you get ahead, whether you’re prepping for a week of lunches or just want to make tonight’s dinner even easier. And let’s be honest, having a home-cooked meal ready is a total game-changer. For the nights you don’t have a meal prepped, you can always get your Japanese food fix by ordering your favorite bowl from us.
How to Prep in Advance
A little work upfront can make all the difference. You can fully cook this recipe ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. This is perfect for grab-and-go lunches that just need a quick reheat. If you’d rather cook it fresh, you can still get a head start by prepping the components. Chop your broccoli, slice your chicken, and mix your teriyaki sauce ahead of time. Store everything in separate containers in the fridge, and when you’re ready to cook, you’ll have everything you need to get dinner on the table in record time.
Store and Reheat Leftovers the Right Way
Storing your leftovers correctly ensures they taste just as good the second time around. For maximum freshness, you can even freeze the cooked chicken and sauce for up to two months. Just let it thaw overnight in the fridge before you plan to eat it. When it’s time to reheat, skip the microwave if you can. Gently reheating your chicken teriyaki in a pan on the stove until it’s warmed through will keep the chicken tender and the sauce from getting sticky. This method really preserves the flavor and texture, so your meal feels freshly made instead of like a typical leftover.
Cook in Batches to Save Time
Why cook once when you can cook for the whole week? This recipe is a fantastic candidate for batch cooking because it’s a complete, protein-packed meal all in one pan. Doubling the ingredients doesn’t add much extra effort, but it leaves you with several days’ worth of meals. The best part is that cooking everything in a single pan means cleanup is incredibly simple, which is always a win in my book. Having these healthy, flavorful bowls ready to go in your fridge makes it so much easier to have a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs for this recipe? Absolutely! While I personally prefer chicken thighs because they stay so juicy, chicken breast works just fine. The key is to be careful not to overcook it, as breast meat is leaner and can dry out more easily. To help it cook quickly and evenly, I recommend pounding the chicken breast to an even thickness before you cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Do I really have to use uncooked rice for the one-pan method? Yes, this is one step I wouldn’t skip. Using uncooked rice is essential for getting that perfect, fluffy texture. The rice cooks directly in the pan with the broth and teriyaki sauce, allowing it to absorb all that incredible flavor as it steams. If you were to use pre-cooked rice, it would soak up the liquid too quickly and likely turn into a sticky, mushy mess.
My teriyaki sauce came out too thin. How can I fix it? This is a super common issue with a very easy fix. If your sauce isn’t as thick and glossy as you’d like, simply mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the simmering sauce, and it will thicken up beautifully in a minute or two. You can also remove the cooked chicken and veggies from the pan and let the sauce reduce on its own over low heat for a few minutes.
What are some other vegetables I can add to my bowl? This recipe is a fantastic way to use up whatever veggies you have in the fridge. Beyond broccoli, things like sliced bell peppers, snap peas, edamame, and shredded carrots are all wonderful additions. Just be mindful of cooking times. Add heartier vegetables like carrots a little earlier, and toss in quicker-cooking ones like snap peas or bell peppers during the last few minutes so they stay crisp.
What’s the best way to meal prep this for the week? You have two great options. You can cook the entire recipe ahead of time and portion it into airtight containers for easy lunches—it keeps well in the fridge for up to four days. Alternatively, you can do the prep work in advance. Chop your chicken and veggies and make your sauce, storing each component separately. When you’re ready to eat, everything is ready to be thrown into the pan for a fresh-cooked meal in about 15 minutes.