Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with this unbelievably delicious Sticky Chicken Rice Bowl recipe. Forget expensive takeout; this dish delivers that crave-worthy sweet and savory glaze, tender chicken, and fluffy rice right from your own kitchen. It’s a simple, satisfying meal that balances incredible flavor with easy preparation, making it an absolute must-try for any enthusiastic home cook. We’re not just making a meal; we’re creating a go-to comfort food experience that your family and friends will ask for again and again.
The magic is in the sauce. A perfect blend of soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger creates a glaze that clings to every piece of chicken, caramelizing into a sticky, irresistible coating. Paired with perfectly cooked rice and your favorite fresh vegetables, this Sticky Chicken Rice Bowl is a complete, well-rounded meal that hits all the right notes.
Why This Sticky Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe Works
You’ll fall in love with this recipe from the very first bite. It’s designed for real life—quick, flavorful, and incredibly versatile. Here’s why it will become a staple in your home:
- Better Than Takeout: Achieve that restaurant-quality, glossy, and sticky chicken at home for a fraction of the price. The flavor is richer and you control all the ingredients.
- Quick & Easy: This entire meal comes together in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you need something delicious, fast.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: The components store beautifully, allowing you to assemble bowls throughout the week for effortless and exciting lunches or dinners.
- Customizable: Easily swap in your favorite vegetables or a different protein. This recipe is a fantastic base for your culinary creativity. Much like our Bang Bang Chicken Bowl, it’s all about making it your own.
The Secret to the Perfect Sticky Sauce
The star of any Sticky Chicken Rice Bowl is, without a doubt, the sauce. The secret isn’t just the ingredients, but the technique. We start by sautéing fresh garlic and ginger to build a fragrant foundation. Then, we combine soy sauce for saltiness, honey for sweetness and shine, rice vinegar for a touch of tang, and a cornstarch slurry to achieve that perfect, thick consistency. Simmering the sauce allows the flavors to meld and the glaze to thicken until it perfectly coats the back of a spoon. This method ensures every piece of chicken is drenched in that signature sticky, savory-sweet goodness.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients to create its incredible flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Sticky Chicken:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes. Thighs will offer more flavor and moisture.
- Cornstarch: For coating the chicken to get it extra crispy and to thicken our sauce.
- Avocado Oil: Or another high-smoke-point oil for pan-frying.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: The savory, umami-packed base of our sauce.
- Honey: This provides the sweetness and helps create that beautiful, sticky glaze.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds a bright, tangy note to balance the sweetness.
- Fresh Garlic & Ginger: Essential aromatics that provide a punch of flavor.
- Sesame Oil: For a nutty, aromatic finish.
For the Rice Bowl Assembly:
- Jasmine or Basmati Rice: Cooked according to package directions.
- Steamed Broccoli: Or your favorite steamed or roasted vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or edamame.
- Garnish: Toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions are a must for that final touch of flavor and texture.
If you enjoy the combination of honey and garlic, you’ll love the flavors in our Honey Garlic Sausage and Sweet Potatoes sheet pan dinner.
How to Make a Sticky Chicken Rice Bowl Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping meal in minutes. It’s all about technique!
1. Prepare the Chicken
Start by patting your cubed chicken dry with a paper towel. This is crucial for getting a good sear. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper until they are lightly and evenly coated. This simple step gives the chicken a fantastic crispy exterior.
2. Cook the Chicken
Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Make the Sticky Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar, whisking to combine. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes.
4. Thicken the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering sauce while whisking constantly. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened to a beautiful, glossy glaze.
5. Combine and Serve
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir gently to coat every piece in the sticky sauce. Turn off the heat and stir in the sesame oil. To serve, spoon a generous portion of cooked rice into a bowl, top with the sticky chicken, add a side of steamed broccoli, and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Tips for Recipe Success
Elevate your Sticky Chicken Rice Bowl from great to absolutely perfect with these pro tips.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: For the crispiest chicken, cook it in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the skillet will steam the chicken instead of searing it.
- Control the Sauce Thickness: If your sauce gets too thick, simply whisk in a tablespoon of water at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Prep Your Ingredients: This recipe moves fast! Have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before you start cooking. This French culinary principle, known as ‘mise en place’, is a game-changer for stress-free cooking. For another easy weeknight meal, try this one-pot Italian sausage orzo.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also incredibly adaptable. Here are a few ideas to switch things up:
- Spicy Sticky Chicken: Add a teaspoon or two of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a fiery kick.
- Different Proteins: This sticky sauce works wonders on crispy tofu, shrimp, or even salmon.
- Add More Veggies: Stir-fry some sliced bell peppers, onions, snap peas, or mushrooms and toss them with the chicken and sauce.
- Make it Nutty: Top your bowl with chopped peanuts or cashews for an extra layer of crunch.
How to Store and Reheat
This Sticky Chicken Rice Bowl is perfect for leftovers. Store the chicken, rice, and vegetables in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave the chicken and rice until warmed through. You can also gently reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for meal prep. Store the cooked chicken, rice, and any vegetables in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble the bowls just before serving or reheating to maintain the best texture.
To add a kick of heat, whisk 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or a pinch of red pepper flakes into the sauce while it simmers. Adjust the amount to your preferred level of spiciness.
The key is a cornstarch coating on the chicken before frying, which creates a crispy exterior. Then, thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry, and only toss the cooked chicken in the sauce right at the end to ensure it stays crisp and perfectly coated.
Jasmine rice is the most popular choice for its fragrant aroma and fluffy texture. However, Basmati or even a short-grain sushi rice would also work wonderfully. For a healthier option, you can use brown rice or quinoa.
This bowl is very versatile. You can add roasted or steamed vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, edamame, snow peas, or bok choy. A quick cucumber salad on the side also adds a fresh, crunchy element.
Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for meal prep. Store the cooked chicken, rice, and any vegetables in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble the bowls just before serving or reheating to maintain the best texture.
To add a kick of heat, whisk 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or a pinch of red pepper flakes into the sauce while it simmers. Adjust the amount to your preferred level of spiciness.
The key is a cornstarch coating on the chicken before frying, which creates a crispy exterior. Then, thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry, and only toss the cooked chicken in the sauce right at the end to ensure it stays crisp and perfectly coated.
Jasmine rice is the most popular choice for its fragrant aroma and fluffy texture. However, Basmati or even a short-grain sushi rice would also work wonderfully. For a healthier option, you can use brown rice or quinoa.
This bowl is very versatile. You can add roasted or steamed vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, edamame, snow peas, or bok choy. A quick cucumber salad on the side also adds a fresh, crunchy element.
Sticky Chicken Rice Bowl: Your New Weeknight Favorite
This Sticky Chicken Rice Bowl recipe is the ultimate weeknight dinner, ready in under 30 minutes! Featuring crispy chicken tossed in an irresistible sweet and savory glaze, it's a customizable and easy meal better than takeout.
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the cubed chicken dry. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Whisk to combine and bring to a simmer.
- In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens into a glaze.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat every piece in the sticky sauce. Turn off the heat and stir in the sesame oil.
- Assemble the bowls by layering cooked rice, sticky chicken, and steamed broccoli. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
Don't Crowd the Pan: Cook chicken in batches if needed for the crispiest results.
Control the Sauce: If the sauce gets too thick, whisk in a tablespoon of water at a time to reach the desired consistency.
Meal Prep: Store components separately in the fridge for up to 4 days for quick assembly.
Sticky Chicken Rice Bowl: Your New Weeknight Favorite
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the cubed chicken dry. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Whisk to combine and bring to a simmer.
- In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens into a glaze.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat every piece in the sticky sauce. Turn off the heat and stir in the sesame oil.
- Assemble the bowls by layering cooked rice, sticky chicken, and steamed broccoli. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
Control the Sauce: If the sauce gets too thick, whisk in a tablespoon of water at a time to reach the desired consistency.
Meal Prep: Store components separately in the fridge for up to 4 days for quick assembly.
Share Your Creations!
We are certain this Sticky Chicken Rice Bowl will become a household favorite. It’s the perfect blend of easy, fast, and flavorful. If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a comment below and share your masterpiece on Pinterest! We love seeing how you make our recipes your own.
