Sweet Chili Chicken Bowl (Printable Version)

Tender chicken in tangy-sweet chili glaze served over steamed rice and broccoli. An easy, vibrant Asian-inspired meal.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

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

→ Sweet Chili Glaze

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

→ Rice

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

→ Vegetables

14 - 10 oz broccoli florets
15 - 1/2 tsp sesame oil

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tbsp sliced green onions
17 - 1 tsp sesame seeds

# How To Make:

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

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • The sweet chili glaze clings to the chicken in a way that makes every bite taste like it came from your favorite takeout spot, but you control the ingredients.
  • Everything cooks in under twenty minutes once the rice is going, so you are not stuck at the stove all evening.
  • The bright green broccoli and glossy chicken make the bowl look like something you would order at a restaurant, which always feels like a small victory on a busy weeknight.
02 -
  • Do not let the chicken sit in the glaze too long before serving, or the coating will turn watery and lose that beautiful glossy finish you worked for.
  • Rinsing the rice is not just a suggestion, it is the difference between fluffy grains and a sticky, gummy mess that sticks to the bottom of the pan.
  • If your sweet chili sauce tastes too sweet on its own, the soy sauce and vinegar will balance it out, so trust the process and do not skip those ingredients.
03 -
  • Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate, nobody wants one dry piece and one undercooked piece in the same bowl.
  • Taste your sweet chili sauce before you start cooking, because some brands are much sweeter or spicier than others, and you can adjust the soy sauce or vinegar to balance it out.
  • If you want the chicken extra crispy, pat it dry with a paper towel before seasoning, moisture is the enemy of a good sear.
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