Sticky Chicken Bowls with Spicy Mayo and Sesame Seeds Recipe

Introduction

These sticky chicken bowls are a flavorful and satisfying meal, perfect for any night of the week. Tender chicken strips glazed in a sweet and spicy sauce are served over fluffy rice with tender broccoli, making for a balanced and delicious dish everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked rice
• 2 small heads broccoli, chopped
• 3 large chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp sriracha
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp arrowroot powder mixed with 2 tbsp water to make a slurry (sub cornstarch)
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• 2–3 tbsp water
• Sesame seeds for topping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook the rice according to package instructions and set aside.
2. Step 2: Chop broccoli into small florets and set aside.
3. Step 3: Slice chicken breasts into strips and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, and oregano.
4. Step 4: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, add the chicken, and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
5. Step 5: Steam or sauté the broccoli in the same pan or separately until tender but still crisp, about 4-5 minutes.
6. Step 6: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, sriracha, sesame oil, ground ginger, and the arrowroot slurry. Pour this sticky sauce into the skillet with the chicken and simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken evenly.
7. Step 7: Prepare the spicy mayo by stirring together mayo, sriracha, and enough water (2–3 tbsp) to reach a pourable consistency.
8. Step 8: Assemble the bowls by dividing the rice, chicken, and broccoli, then drizzle with spicy mayo and sprinkle sesame seeds on top before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute arrowroot powder with cornstarch if unavailable for thickening the sauce.
• For an extra crunch, add sliced green onions or chopped peanuts as a topping.
• Use brown rice or quinoa for a healthier grain alternative.
• Adjust the amount of sriracha to control the heat level to your preference.

Storage

Store leftover chicken bowls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. Add a splash of water when reheating to keep the chicken moist and the sauce saucy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen broccoli works well; just steam or sauté it until tender before adding to the bowl.

Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?

You can substitute the chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, following the same seasoning and cooking steps for a delicious vegetarian alternative.

Sticky Chicken Bowls with Spicy Mayo and Sesame Seeds Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.9 from 147 reviews

A delicious and easy-to-make Sticky Chicken Bowl featuring tender chicken strips coated in a sweet and spicy sticky sauce, served with steamed broccoli and fluffy rice. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that packs bold flavors and wholesome ingredients.

• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Rice

• 2 cups uncooked rice

Vegetables

• 2 small heads broccoli, chopped into small florets

Chicken and Seasoning

• 3 large chicken breasts, sliced into strips
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp oregano

Sticky Sauce

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp sriracha
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp arrowroot powder mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry, substitution for cornstarch)

Spicy Mayo

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• 2–3 tbsp water (to thin)

Garnish

• Sesame seeds for topping

Instructions

1. Cook Rice: Prepare the uncooked rice according to the package instructions. Once cooked, set the rice aside to keep warm.
2. Prepare Broccoli: Chop the broccoli into small florets and either steam or sauté them until tender, either in the same pan as the chicken or separately.
3. Season Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into strips. Season thoroughly with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, and oregano to build a flavorful base.
4. Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook until they are golden brown on the outside and fully cooked through (no longer pink inside).
5. Make Sticky Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, sriracha, sesame oil, and ground ginger. Pour this sauce into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Add the arrowroot slurry and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken evenly.
6. Prepare Spicy Mayo: In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sriracha, and water until smooth and pourable. Adjust water quantity to reach desired consistency.
7. Assemble Bowls: Divide the cooked rice into serving bowls. Top with the sticky chicken and tender broccoli florets. Drizzle the spicy mayo over the bowls and garnish generously with sesame seeds for a nutty crunch.

Notes

• Arrowroot powder is used as a thickening agent; cornstarch can be substituted if unavailable.
• You can adjust the amount of sriracha in the sticky sauce and spicy mayo according to your desired spice level.
• Steaming broccoli preserves nutrients better, but sautéing adds extra flavor.
• For a gluten-free version, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce.
• Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in a skillet or microwave.

Keywords: Sticky chicken bowls, chicken skillet recipe, easy chicken dinner, sweet and spicy chicken, quick rice bowl, broccoli chicken bowl