Irresistible Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Whipping up delectable sticky chicken rice bowls brings comfort and excitement to your dinner routine.

Savory aromas will soon fill your kitchen with mouthwatering potential.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a satisfying meal that feels both familiar and fresh.

Tender chicken pieces nestle perfectly atop fluffy rice, promising a delightful balance of textures.

Korean-inspired flavors dance across your palate with complex yet approachable seasonings.

Minimal preparation time means you can craft this restaurant-quality dish without extensive cooking skills.

You’ll want to gather your ingredients and start cooking right away – this recipe is about to become your new weeknight favorite.

How To Keep Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls Tasty

• Store leftovers in airtight containers, separating rice, chicken, and sauce. Refrigerate for 3-4 days, keeping components separate to maintain texture.
• Wrap chicken and rice individually in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing sauce and mayo to prevent separation.
• Sprinkle water on rice, microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway to restore moisture and prevent dryness.
• Warm in air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes or microwave for 1-2 minutes, adding a splash of water to prevent overcooking and maintain juiciness.

Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls FAQs To Know

• Is the chicken spicy?

The chicken has a mild spice level with chili powder and smoked paprika, but you can adjust heat by reducing or increasing these spices.

• Can I use chicken breasts or thighs?

Both work perfectly. Chicken breasts are leaner, while thighs are more flavorful and tender.

• Do I need an air fryer to make this recipe?

No, you can easily bake the chicken in the oven at 400°F for 18-20 minutes as an alternative cooking method.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F, ensuring the chicken is safe to eat.

Why Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls Are A Flavor Bomb

• Savor Flavor-Packed Cooking: Enjoy a burst of exciting tastes with perfectly seasoned chicken and a sticky, tangy sauce that transforms a simple meal into a restaurant-quality experience.
• Tackle with Ease: This recipe requires minimal cooking skills, making it accessible for beginners while delivering impressive results that will wow family and friends.
• Customize Your Meal: Flexible preparation methods like air fryer or oven give you the freedom to cook based on your kitchen equipment and personal preference.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps allow you to create a delicious, balanced meal in less than an hour, perfect for busy households craving something special.

Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls Ingredient List

• Chicken: Tender meat that serves as the primary protein for the dish.

• Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Chili Powder, Smoked Paprika, Onion Powder, Oregano: Spice mixture that adds depth and flavor to the chicken.

• Soy Sauce, Honey, Rice Vinegar: Core components that create the signature sticky sauce.
• Minced Garlic, Sriracha, Sesame Oil, Ground Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that enhance the sauce's complexity.

• Arrowroot Slurry: Helps to create a smooth and glossy sauce consistency.

• Mayonnaise, Sriracha, Water: Creamy and spicy condiment for added flavor.

• Rice, Broccoli: Foundational elements that provide texture and nutrition to the dish.

• Sesame Seeds: Adds a nutty crunch and visual appeal to the final dish.

How To Make Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls Easily

Step 1: Prep the Rice Base

Grab your rice and cook it according to the package directions. Let it sit and get fluffy while you work on the other components of this delicious meal.

Step 2: Steam Fresh Broccoli

Transform your broccoli into tender green goodness by steaming it. You can use either the microwave or stovetop method until it’s perfectly fork-tender.

Step 3: Create Flavor-Packed Chicken Seasoning

• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chili powder
• Smoked paprika
• Onion powder
• Dried oregano

Massage these seasonings into the chicken to ensure every bite is packed with incredible flavor.

Step 4: Cook Chicken to Perfection

Air Fryer Method:

Heat your air fryer to 400°F. Spread chicken in a single layer and cook for 12 minutes until it reaches a safe internal temperature.

Oven Alternative:

Bake at 400°F for 18–20 minutes, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked through.

Step 5: Whip Up Sticky Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Rice vinegar
• Minced garlic
• Sriracha
• Sesame oil
• Ground ginger

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, creating a mouthwatering aroma.

Step 6: Thicken the Sauce

Add an arrowroot slurry to the boiling sauce. Continue cooking for 4–5 minutes until the sauce transforms into a glossy, thick coating.

Step 7: Create Spicy Mayo Drizzle

• Mayonnaise
• Sriracha
• Water

Adjust the water to get your desired sauce consistency.

Step 8: Build Your Culinary Masterpiece

• Fluffy rice
• Steamed broccoli
• Juicy seasoned chicken

Drench everything in the sticky sauce and crown with a spicy mayo drizzle. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for that final gourmet touch.

Simple Tips For Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls

• Boost Chicken Flavor: Marinate chicken in the sticky sauce for 30 minutes before cooking to intensify the taste and tenderness.
• Prevent Dry Chicken: Avoid overcooking by using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature exactly at 160°F for juicy results.
• Rice Hack: Rinse rice before cooking to remove excess starch and achieve perfectly fluffy grains that don't clump together.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare chicken, rice, and sauce in advance for quick weeknight dinners or easy lunch meal prep throughout the week.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust sriracha quantity in both sauce and mayo to customize heat level for different spice tolerances.

Fun Ways To Switch Up Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls

• Vegetarian Rice Bowl: Replace chicken with crispy tofu cubes, marinated in the same spice blend and air-fried until golden brown.
• Cauliflower Rice Option: Swap traditional rice with low-carb cauliflower rice for a lighter, keto-friendly version of the dish.
• Mediterranean Herb Variation: Use za'atar seasoning instead of chili powder, replace sriracha with harissa, and add crumbled feta cheese on top for a Middle Eastern flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of soy sauce, ensure arrowroot powder is certified gluten-free, and verify all spices are gluten-free certified for those with dietary restrictions.

What Pairs Nicely With Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls

• Savor Flavor-Packed Pairings for Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls
• Crisp White Wine Companion: Select a chilled Riesling or Pinot Grigio to balance the dish's spicy and sweet notes, cutting through the richness of the sticky sauce and providing a refreshing contrast.
• Sparkling Citrus Mocktail Match: Craft a zesty non-alcoholic drink with fresh lime juice, sparkling water, and a hint of ginger to complement the bold Asian-inspired flavors of the chicken and enhance the meal's complexity.
• Cool and Creamy Side Kick: Prepare a quick cucumber salad with rice vinegar, sesame seeds, and a touch of honey to provide a light, cool counterpoint to the warm, sticky chicken, adding textural variety to the dining experience.

Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Elevate dinner with these mouthwatering Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls, blending savory Asian-inspired flavors in one satisfying meal. Tender marinated chicken, glazed with a sweet-tangy sauce, rests on fluffy rice, promising a quick and delicious culinary escape you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 3 large chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)

Vegetables:

• 2 small heads broccoli (chopped)

Main Ingredients and Seasonings:

• 2 cups uncooked rice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sriracha
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder
• 2 tablespoons water

Garnish and Dressing:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon sriracha
• 2–3 tablespoons water
• Sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Prepare a batch of fluffy rice according to package directions, allowing it to rest while preparing other components.
2. Transform broccoli into tender morsels by steaming via microwave or stovetop until easily pierced with a fork.
3. Create a robust seasoning blend by coating chicken pieces with olive oil and a harmonious mix of spices including chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and oregano.
4. Optimize chicken cooking through air fryer method: heat appliance to 400°F and arrange chicken in a single layer, cooking for approximately 12 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
5. Alternative cooking method involves baking chicken at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, ensuring complete and even cooking.
6. Craft a glossy sauce by combining soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, sriracha, sesame oil, and ground ginger in a saucepan, bringing mixture to a rapid boil.
7. Enhance sauce consistency by incorporating arrowroot slurry, continuing to boil for 4-5 minutes until mixture thickens and transforms into a luxurious glaze.
8. Whip together a zesty condiment by blending mayonnaise, sriracha, and water, adjusting liquid content to achieve desired spiciness and drizzling potential.
9. Construct vibrant rice bowls by layering cooked rice, steamed broccoli, and seasoned chicken, then lavishly coating with sticky sauce and spicy mayo, finishing with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Notes

• Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains the same delicious flavor profile and texture.
• Reduce sriracha in sauce and mayo for milder heat, allowing kids and sensitive palates to enjoy the dish comfortably.
• Use brown rice or cauliflower rice to boost nutritional value and create a lower-carb alternative without compromising taste.
• Marinate chicken for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance depth of flavor and ensure more tender, juicy meat throughout the dish.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 572 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 1450 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 63 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 39 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg