Sweet Chili Chicken Bowl (Printable version)

Tender chicken in tangy-sweet chili glaze served over fluffy rice and steamed broccoli. Quick, easy, and satisfyingly delicious.

# Needed ingredients:

→ 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 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

→ Garnish

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

# How to make it:

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 12-15 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 3-4 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 pieces with salt and pepper. Add chicken and cook for 5-6 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 glaze over cooked chicken and stir well to coat. If a thicker consistency is desired, stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for 1-2 minutes until glossy and thickened.
05 - Divide rice among four serving bowls. Top each portion with steamed broccoli and sweet chili chicken. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The glaze clings to every piece of chicken with a glossy shine that makes even a weeknight feel special.
  • It comes together in just over half an hour, meaning dinner is ready before anyone starts raiding the snack drawer.
  • The combo of fluffy rice, crisp broccoli, and sticky-sweet chicken hits every texture and flavor note without fuss.
02 -
  • If you skip rinsing the rice, it will turn gummy instead of fluffy, trust me on this one.
  • Don't walk away from the chicken while it cooks, a few extra seconds can mean the difference between golden and rubbery.
  • The cornstarch slurry is optional, but it makes the glaze cling like magic instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
03 -
  • Marinating the chicken in a tablespoon of soy sauce for 15 minutes before cooking adds an extra layer of savory depth.
  • Use a wok if you have one, the high sides make tossing the chicken in the glaze so much easier without flinging sauce everywhere.
  • Taste the glaze before adding it to the chicken, some sweet chili sauces are spicier than others, and you can adjust with a little honey or extra vinegar.
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