Description
Korean-inspired Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls deliver a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Marinated chicken thighs rest on fluffy rice, garnished with crisp vegetables and sesame seeds for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 cup (150 grams) steamed or roasted vegetables (e.g., broccoli, carrots, or snap peas)
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken thighs or breasts, diced
- ¼ cup (60 mL) soy sauce
- ¼ cup (60 mL) honey
- 2 tbsps rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsps vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsps cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly coat diced chicken with a delicate layer of cornstarch, ensuring each piece is evenly covered for maximum crispiness.
- Searing: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high temperature, carefully sear chicken pieces until they develop a golden-brown crust and cook through completely, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauce Creation: Lower skillet temperature and craft a glossy sauce by whisking together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and optional red pepper flakes until the mixture thickens and becomes rich and lustrous.
- Flavor Infusion: Return chicken to the skillet, gently tossing to coat thoroughly and allow flavors to harmonize for 1-2 minutes.
- Plating: Spread freshly cooked rice in serving bowls as a foundation, artfully arrange sticky chicken on top, and complement with steamed or roasted seasonal vegetables.
- Finishing Touch: Garnish with a sprinkle of sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds to elevate the dish’s visual appeal and add a final layer of flavor complexity.
Notes
- Ensure Cornstarch Coverage: Completely and evenly coat chicken pieces with cornstarch, shaking off excess to prevent clumping and achieve a crispy, light texture.
- Control Cooking Temperature: Use medium-high heat for searing chicken, watching carefully to prevent burning while creating a golden-brown exterior and maintaining juicy interior.
- Balance Sauce Consistency: Stir sauce ingredients constantly during simmering, allowing it to thicken naturally without becoming too sticky or reducing too quickly.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap soy sauce with tamari for gluten-free option, use coconut aminos for lower sodium, or add extra red pepper flakes for increased heat and flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 64 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg