Description
Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls are a quick and healthy meal made with juicy, spice-seasoned chicken, fluffy rice, steamed broccoli, and a sweet-spicy sticky glaze, all finished with creamy sriracha mayo and sesame seeds for a bold, comforting dinner that’s beginner-friendly and meal prep-ready.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups uncooked rice
- 2 small heads broccoli, chopped
- 3 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder + 2 tablespoons water (or substitute with cornstarch)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 2–3 tablespoons water
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: Rinse the rice well under cold water and cook according to package directions. When done, fluff with a fork and keep warm. Rice acts as the absorbent base, soaking in the sticky sauce.
- Steam the Broccoli: Chop the broccoli into bite-sized florets and steam until just fork-tender. Avoid overcooking to preserve a bright green color and fresh crunch. You can steam on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water.
- Season and Cook the Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, onion powder, and oregano. Place in a single layer in an air fryer basket and cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway. If you’re not using an air fryer, sauté the chicken in a pan over medium heat until golden brown and fully cooked through, with no pink inside and juices running clear.
- Make the Sticky Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, sriracha, sesame oil, and ground ginger. Stir and bring to a boil. Mix arrowroot powder with water in a separate bowl to form a slurry, then whisk it into the boiling sauce. Continue boiling for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Prepare the Spicy Mayo: In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise with sriracha and water until smooth and slightly runny. Adjust the amount of sriracha to control the spiciness. This drizzle adds creaminess that complements the bold sticky glaze.
- Assemble the Bowls: In each bowl, layer cooked rice, steamed broccoli, and chicken. Spoon the sticky sauce generously over everything, then drizzle with spicy mayo. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top for a nutty crunch. Serve immediately while everything is hot and flavorful.
Notes
- Use brown rice for more fiber or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
Swap chicken with shrimp, tofu, or beef based on preference.
To make it less spicy, omit sriracha from the sauce and mayo.
Leftovers can be stored up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of water to revive the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer & Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 105mg