Irresistible Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls Recipe For Dinner Joy

Weeknight dinners demand quick, flavorful solutions that satisfy hunger and delight taste buds, and these sticky chicken rice bowls effortlessly hit the mark.

Tender chicken pieces coated in a rich, glossy sauce create a mouthwatering centerpiece for this simple meal.

The harmonious blend of savory and sweet notes makes every bite a culinary adventure.

Perfectly cooked rice serves as the ideal canvas for the luscious chicken and vibrant garnishes.

Crisp green onions and toasted sesame seeds add delightful texture and visual appeal to the dish.

Each component works together to transform an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 590 kcal

Servings: 3

Key Ingredients For Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls

• Chicken: Lean protein that becomes crispy and golden when cooked, choose boneless skinless chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Cornstarch: Creates a light, crispy coating that helps seal in moisture and gives the chicken a beautiful golden exterior.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides a neutral cooking medium with a high smoke point, perfect for achieving that gorgeous sear on the chicken without overwhelming the dish's delicate flavors.

Kitchen Tools For Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls

• Large skillet: Essential for perfectly searing and cooking chicken with golden-brown edges.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for dicing chicken neatly and safely.
• Sharp knife: Helps you precisely cut chicken into even, bite-sized pieces.
• Mixing bowl: Convenient for tossing chicken with cornstarch and ensuring even coating.
• Wooden spoon or tongs: Great for flipping and moving chicken while cooking without damaging the meat.

Instructions To Cook Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls Quickly

• Chicken Preparation

Coat chicken pieces in a light, even layer of cornstarch, ensuring each chunk gets a delicate, crispy exterior that will lock in the juicy goodness.

• Sizzling Golden Transformation

Fire up your skillet with a touch of vegetable oil, bringing the heat to a vibrant medium-high. Dance the chicken pieces around the pan, letting them transform into crispy, golden treasures. Watch carefully as they turn a gorgeous bronze color, signaling they’re perfectly cooked through. Once they reach that irresistible crunch, gently lift them from the skillet and let them rest momentarily.

Flavor Boosters For Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls

• Crispy Coating Trick: Dust chicken with a light cornstarch layer to create an extra-crispy exterior that locks in moisture and gives a beautiful golden-brown color.
• Low-Carb Switch: Replace rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lower-carbohydrate option that maintains the delicious flavor profile of the original dish.
• Meal Prep Magic: These chicken rice bowls can be prepared in advance and stored in sealed containers for up to 3 days, making them perfect for quick weekday lunches or busy schedules.
• Protein Power Swap: Easily substitute chicken with tofu, shrimp, or beef to create variety and cater to different dietary preferences without changing the core cooking technique.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust the heat by adding more or less chili sauce, red pepper flakes, or sriracha to suit individual taste preferences, allowing everyone to enjoy their perfect level of spiciness.

Ways To Serve Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls Warm

• Flavor Fusion Plate: Serve these sticky chicken rice bowls over a bed of fluffy jasmine or basmati rice, creating a delicious base that soaks up all the savory chicken juices.
• Veggie Power Boost: Sprinkle fresh chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and thin cucumber slices on top for added crunch, color, and nutritional value that complements the chicken's rich flavor.
• Sauce Drizzle Magic: Enhance the dish with a homemade quick sauce like soy-honey glaze or sriracha mayo, drizzled generously over the chicken to add an extra layer of tangy and spicy excitement.
• Quick Meal Upgrade: Pair the rice bowl with a small side of pickled vegetables or a light Asian-inspired coleslaw to balance the warm chicken and provide a refreshing contrast to the main dish.

How To Store Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls With No Hassle

• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare extra chicken and rice during weekend meal prep, storing them separately in airtight containers for quick weeknight dinners within 3-4 days.
• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Cool chicken completely before sealing in glass containers, keeping portions separate to maintain crispy texture and prevent sogginess for up to 4 days.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Package cooled chicken and rice in freezer-safe containers, lasting up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently in skillet to restore original flavor and texture.
• Leftover Transformation Tip: Repurpose remaining chicken by chopping and adding to salads, wraps, or transforming into a quick stir-fry for instant meal variety without waste.

Crispy Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Korean-inspired sticky chicken rice bowls deliver a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. Tender marinated chicken nestles over fluffy rice, complemented by fresh garnishes that elevate this quick weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (450 g) chicken thighs or breasts, diced
• 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
• 1 cup (150 g) steamed or roasted vegetables (e.g., broccoli, carrots, or snap peas)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce
• ¼ cup (60 ml) honey
• 2 tbsps rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsps cornstarch
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (for garnish)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Thoroughly coat diced chicken with cornstarch, ensuring complete and even coverage for a crispy exterior that will seal in moisture and create a delectable texture.
2. Searing: Heat vegetable oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, then carefully introduce the cornstarch-dusted chicken pieces, allowing them to develop a rich, golden-brown crust that promises exceptional flavor and crunch.
3. Cooking: Gently maneuver and rotate chicken pieces to achieve uniform browning, monitoring internal temperature and color transformation to ensure perfectly cooked, juicy morsels without compromising their delicate texture.
4. Finishing: Once chicken reaches optimal doneness with a crisp exterior and succulent interior, transfer pieces to a clean plate, preserving their temperature and preparing for the final assembly of the rice bowls.
5. Plating: Arrange cooked chicken atop steamed rice, drizzle with prepared sticky sauce, and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds to complete the vibrant and appetizing dish.

Notes

• Optimize Cornstarch Coating: Shake off excess cornstarch to prevent clumping and ensure a light, crispy texture that won’t become soggy.
• Control Skillet Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat to achieve golden-brown chicken without burning, using a thermometer for precision cooking.
• Prevent Overcrowding: Cook chicken in batches to maintain pan temperature and allow each piece to crisp evenly, avoiding steaming instead of browning.
• Check Doneness Safely: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing food safety without compromising juiciness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 82 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg