Sweet Chili Chicken Bowl (Printer-Friendly)

Tender chicken in tangy-sweet chili glaze over fluffy rice and steamed broccoli. Quick, vibrant, and satisfying Asian-inspired main dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
02 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Sweet Chili Glaze

05 - 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
06 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
07 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
09 - 1 clove garlic, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water, optional for thickening

→ Rice

11 - 1 1/4 cups jasmine or long-grain white rice
12 - 2 cups water
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables

14 - 10 oz broccoli florets
15 - 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil, optional

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
17 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional

# How To Make:

01 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice, water, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until tender. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
02 - Steam broccoli florets over boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drizzle with sesame oil if desired and set aside.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken pieces and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic. Pour over the cooked chicken. Stir well to coat. If thicker sauce is desired, stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until glossy and thickened.
05 - Divide rice among four bowls. Top each with steamed broccoli and sweet chili chicken. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under 40 minutes, leaving you time to actually sit down and enjoy it.
  • The glaze is tangy, sweet, and just spicy enough to keep things interesting without overwhelming anyone at the table.
  • It feels like takeout but tastes fresher and costs a fraction of the price.
  • You can swap the protein or add whatever vegetables are hanging out in your crisper drawer.
02 -
  • Rinse your rice thoroughly or it will clump and turn gummy instead of fluffy and light.
  • Don't crowd the chicken in the pan or it will steam instead of browning, and you'll miss out on those golden, flavorful edges.
  • If your glaze tastes too sweet, add an extra splash of rice vinegar or soy sauce to bring it back into balance.
03 -
  • Grate your ginger on a microplane for the finest texture and the most flavor without any fibrous bits.
  • Add the cornstarch slurry off the heat, then return to a simmer so it thickens evenly without clumping.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before sprinkling them on top for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
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