Go Back
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs - 1 cup cooked jasmine rice - 2 tablespoons honey - 2 tablespoons soy sauce - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 1 tablespoon garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon ginger, minced - 1 cup broccoli florets - 1 red bell pepper, sliced - 2 green onions, sliced - Optional: Mixed greens or baby spinach For Honey Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls, the choice of ingredients matters. I love using tender chicken thighs. They soak up flavors well and stay juicy. You need about one pound. Pair this with one cup of fluffy jasmine rice as the base. Next, the marinade is key. It brings the dish together. Combine two tablespoons of honey for sweetness. Add two tablespoons of soy sauce for saltiness. Pour in one tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty taste. Don't forget one tablespoon of minced garlic and ginger. These add zing and warmth. For veggies, I use one cup of broccoli florets and one red bell pepper. Slice the bell pepper to make it easy to eat. Green onions add a pop of color and flavor. I sometimes add mixed greens or baby spinach for extra crunch. Each ingredient adds to the taste and looks great in the bowl. Marinating chicken makes it juicy and full of flavor. The marinade adds depth to the meat. I mix honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger. After that, I add the diced chicken thighs and stir well. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes. This short wait makes a big difference in taste. While the chicken marinates, I prepare the vegetables. I steam the broccoli florets for about 4-5 minutes. The broccoli should be tender but still bright green. It adds a nice crunch to the dish. Set the steamed broccoli aside as you continue cooking. For cooking, I use a non-stick skillet. I heat it over medium heat to avoid burning. Once hot, I add the marinated chicken and the marinade. I cook it for about 8-10 minutes. I stir frequently to ensure even cooking. The chicken is done when it turns golden brown and caramelized. In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, I add the sliced red bell pepper. This gives the pepper time to soften slightly. It blends well with the chicken and adds color. To serve, I scoop cooked jasmine rice into bowls. I then top it with the honey sesame chicken and steamed broccoli. Finally, I sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top. If I want extra flavor, I drizzle honey or soy sauce over it. This dish looks and tastes amazing! To make the best marinade for honey sesame chicken, mix honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Use a medium bowl and stir well. Add diced chicken thighs and coat them fully. Let the chicken sit for at least 15 minutes. This helps the flavors soak in. For an even better taste, marinate it longer if you have time. To stop chicken from sticking, use a non-stick skillet and heat it first. Add the marinated chicken and the marinade to the skillet. Cook on medium heat for about 8-10 minutes. Stir often to ensure even cooking. Look for the chicken to turn golden brown. This means it is caramelizing nicely. In the last few minutes, add sliced red bell pepper. This will soften and mix with the chicken. To make a lovely presentation, start with a scoop of jasmine rice in each bowl. Top it with honey sesame chicken and steamed broccoli. Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top. If you want, add a few leaves of mixed greens or baby spinach for color. This adds freshness and makes your dish pop. For extra flavor, drizzle a bit of honey or soy sauce over the top. {{image_2}} You can swap chicken for other proteins. Tofu works well for a vegetarian dish. Use firm tofu, cut into cubes, and marinate just like chicken. Shrimp is another option. Cook it for a shorter time, about 3-5 minutes until pink. Want to change the flavor? Try different sauces. Teriyaki sauce offers a sweet twist. Hoisin sauce adds a rich, savory taste. For a kick, add spice! Sriracha brings heat, while chili flakes can spice things up. Rice is great, but you can switch it up. Brown rice gives more fiber. Cauliflower rice is a low-carb choice. Other grains like quinoa or farro add unique textures and flavors. Quinoa is fluffy, and farro is chewy. Both make your bowl exciting! To keep your Honey Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls fresh, use airtight containers. Glass or plastic works well. Let the bowls cool to room temperature before sealing. This helps prevent moisture build-up. Store them in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them. When you’re ready to enjoy leftovers, safely reheat the chicken rice bowls in the microwave. Use a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a lid or microwave-safe wrap. Heat in short bursts, stirring every minute. This helps the dish heat evenly. To keep the chicken juicy, add a splash of water or broth before reheating. Avoid overheating, which can dry out the chicken. To freeze the components, first cool them completely. Store the chicken, rice, and veggies in separate bags or containers. This way, they won’t lose their texture. Use freezer-safe bags to save space. Label them with the date and contents. For the best taste, use them within three months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw them overnight in the fridge. Reheat as mentioned above for a quick meal. The total cooking time for Honey Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls is about 30 minutes. This includes 15 minutes for marinating the chicken and another 15 minutes for cooking. You will find it quick and easy to prepare this meal! Yes, you can make these rice bowls ahead of time! Just prepare the chicken and veggies, then store them in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to three days. When you're ready to eat, simply reheat on the stove or in the microwave. To add spice, try adding sriracha or chili flakes to the marinade. You can also include sliced jalapeños when you cook the chicken. This will give your dish a nice kick while keeping the sweet flavor of honey. You can serve these rice bowls with a fresh salad or steamed vegetables. Some good options include: - Cucumber salad - Edamame - Garlic green beans - Asian slaw These sides will complement the flavors and make your meal even better! In this blog post, we covered how to make Honey Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls. I provided a list of key ingredients, including chicken, rice, and fresh veggies. You learned about marinating chicken and cooking tips for the best results. Try different flavors or proteins for fun variations. Remember to store leftovers in good containers to keep them fresh. These bowls are simple, tasty, and perfect for any meal. Enjoy your cooking adventure!

Honey Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls

Savor the delightful flavors of these Honey Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls that are quick to make and irresistibly delicious! With tender chicken marinated in honey and soy, served over fluffy jasmine rice and vibrant veggies, this meal is sure to please everyone. In just 30 minutes, you can whip up a tasty dinner that's both satisfying and wholesome. Click through to discover the full recipe and elevate your weeknight meals!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced

1 cup cooked jasmine rice

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

1 tablespoon ginger, minced

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

1 cup broccoli florets

1 red bell pepper, sliced

2 green onions, sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

Mixed greens or baby spinach for serving (optional)

Instructions
 

Marinate Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Add the diced chicken thighs and mix well. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.

    Prepare Vegetables: While the chicken is marinating, steam the broccoli florets until tender (about 4-5 minutes) and set aside.

      Cook Chicken: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken along with the marinade to the skillet. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is cooked through and caramelized.

        Add Bell Pepper: In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, add the sliced red bell pepper to the skillet, allowing it to slightly soften while mixing with the chicken.

          Serve the Bowl: In serving bowls, add a scoop of cooked jasmine rice, followed by a portion of honey sesame chicken and a handful of steamed broccoli.

            Garnish: Top with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. If desired, add a few leaves of mixed greens or baby spinach on the side for added color and freshness.

              Final Touch: Drizzle a little extra honey or soy sauce over the top if you like it sweeter or saltier.

                Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4