Sesame Ginger Chicken Rice Bowl (Printable Version)

Tender chicken with sesame-ginger sauce, crisp veggies, and fluffy rice for an easy, vibrant Asian-inspired bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Marinade & Sauce

02 - 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
03 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
04 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
05 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
06 - 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 tbsp sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)

→ Rice

09 - 1 1/4 cups jasmine or short-grain white rice, rinsed
10 - 2 cups water

→ Vegetables

11 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
12 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
13 - 3.5 oz sugar snap peas or snow peas, halved
14 - 2 spring onions, sliced

→ Garnishes

15 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
16 - Fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves
17 - Lime wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, ginger, garlic, and sriracha. Pour half over chicken and marinate for 15 minutes, reserving remaining sauce.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water until clear. Combine rice and water in saucepan; bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes until tender. Fluff and set aside.
03 - Heat non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken (discard marinade), cook stirring for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
04 - In same pan, stir-fry carrot, bell pepper, and sugar snap peas for 2–3 minutes until crisp-tender.
05 - Divide rice among four bowls. Top with chicken and vegetables. Drizzle with reserved sauce.
06 - Garnish with spring onions, toasted sesame seeds, coriander leaves, and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means weeknight dinners stop feeling like a production.
  • The sauce is so good you'll find yourself making extra just to have on hand for leftovers.
  • Every component can be prepped ahead, turning a potentially stressful dinner into something genuinely relaxed.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice—it removes excess starch and prevents that gluey texture that makes a beautiful bowl feel disappointing.
  • The reserved sauce is the difference between good and memorable, so don't get lazy and use the marinade instead; it's been touching raw chicken and needs to stay out of the final dish.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 60 seconds before sprinkling them on—they become fragrant and nutty instead of dormant and forgettable.
  • If you find yourself with leftover sauce, it keeps in the fridge for a week and becomes instant magic on roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or even grilled fish.
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