This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Fill up on satisfying protein and flavor with these Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls. Between the bowl base, the delicious sticky sauce, and the spicy mayo drizzle, you can expect this to become your new favorite meal.
Easy air fryer sticky chicken rice bowls
When it comes to preparing dinner โ especially on weeknights โ easy recipes always win. This chicken rice bowl recipe is just that! It’s prepared in an air fryer, making it extra easy (not to mention delicious!).
These bowls are made with a base of rice, broccoli, and chicken. They’re topped with homemade soy sauce and honey sticky sauce, followed by a three-ingredient spicy mayo.
When all is said and done, the recipe yields 5 delicious protein-rich servings. It’s perfect for feeding the family or using as the week’s meal prep!
Ingredients in these chicken and rice bowls
This recipe consists of a few different sets of ingredients. We’ll start with those for the bowl base, followed by the sticky sauce and then the spicy mayo. You can use any vegetables you want!
Bowl Base
- Rice: The base of the chicken bowl will start with 2 cups of rice (uncooked). White rice, brown rice, or long grain would be perfect here, or feel free to sub in quinoa!
- Broccoli: Then, include some veggie goodness with 2 small heads of chopped broccoli.
- Chicken: For the chicken, you’ll need 3 large chicken breasts. This is going to help create 5 bowls.
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp of olive oil will be used to help the seasonings stick to the chicken.
- Seasonings: To add flavor, we’ll use the following seasonings: 1 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of pepper, 1 tsp of chili powder, 1 tsp of smoked paprika, 1 tsp of onion powder, and 1 tsp of oregano.
Sticky Sauce
- Soy sauce: Kick off the sticky sauce recipe with 1/2 cup of soy sauce.
- Honey: Add a dash of sweet flavor with 1/2 cup of honey.
- Rice vinegar: Rice vinegar is a must in sticky sauce. Use 1/4 cup.
- Garlic: Then, add flavor with 3 cloves of minced garlic.
- Sriracha: Heat things up a bit by adding 2 tbsp of sriracha.
- Sesame oil: Follow that with 2 tsp of sesame oil.
- Ground ginger: Then, 1 tsp of ground ginger adds that last bit of flavor.
- Arrowroot powder: Finish off the sticky sauce by mixing 2 tsp of arrowroot powder with 2 tbsp of water. This is going to create a slurry that will thicken up the sauce. For an arrowroot powder substitute, you can use cornstarch.
Spicy Mayo
- Mayo: To create the spicy mayo, we’ll begin with 1/2 cup of… you guessed it… mayo!
- Sriracha: Then, add spicy flavor with 1 tbsp of sriracha.
- Water: 2-3 tbsp of water will help the spicy mayo reach the perfect consistency.
Topping
- Sesame seeds: Finish off the chicken rice bowls by adding sesame seeds on top!
- Avocado: Add some creamy avocado on top for some healthy fat!
Kitchen tools needed to make these chicken rice bowls
To create this recipe, you will need about six various kitchen tools in addition to various measuring cup sizes. Gather the following before you begin:
- Air fryer
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Cutting board
- Cutting knife
- Sauce pot
- Stirring utensil
To measure ingredients, you will need the following sized measuring cups: 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.
How to make sticky chicken and rice bowls
You can expect this recipe to come together in about 40 minutes. It yields 5 generous servings.
Begin by preheating your air fryer to 400ยฐF and cooking the rice according to the instructions on the package.
Then, steam the broccoli in the microwave or on the stovetop until fork tender. Set aside.
Cut the chicken into small bite-sized pieces and then toss it with the oil and spices. Lay it flat in the air fryer and cook for about 12 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160ยฐF.
While the chicken is cooking, add the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, sriracha, sesame oil, and ground ginger to a sauce pot. Bring to a boil, and then add the arrowroot slurry. Let boil for 4-5 minutes or until the sauce has greatly thickened.
Prepare the bowls by layering the rice, broccoli, and chicken, and then pour on sauce. Mix together the spicy mayo ingredients and drizzle them on top. Complete the bowls by topping with sesame seeds.
Optional ingredient add-ins
If you’re in the mood to add even more flavor to your rice bowls, try some of these ingredients!
- Cilantro
- Snap peas
- Scallions
- Chopped cashews
- Red onion
- Green onion
- Cucumber
If you’re looking to make some swaps, feel free to use tofu or shrimp to make this pescetarian friendly! If you are looking for a lower carb option, cauliflower rice can be used.
Storing leftovers
Whether these sticky rice bowls are the week’s meal prep or you just want to store leftovers, have no fear! This meal stores incredibly well.
To save some for later, simply transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers and place in the refrigerator. The meal should keep for up to 3-4 days.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Looking for some more easy weeknight dinners? Try one of these! Between the lemon pasta and the provencal, there’s a chicken recipe for every palate.
- Lemon Cauliflower Pasta with Grilled Chicken
- Easy Chicken Provencal
- Thai Inspired Chicken Meatball Soup
- Easy White Chicken Chili Recipe (Stovetop or Crockpot)
All recipes by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Sierra Inn
Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls
Fill up on satisfying protein and flavor with these Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls. Between the bowl base, the delicious sticky sauce, and the spicy mayo drizzle, you can expect this to become your new favorite meal.
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked rice
- 2 small heads broccoli, chopped
- 3 large chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp oregano
Sticky Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp arrowroot powder mixed with 2 tbsp water to make a slurry (sub cornstarch)
Spicy mayo
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1 tbsp sriracha
- 2–3 tbsp water
- sesame seeds for topping
Instructions
- Cook rice according to package.
- Steam broccoli in microwave or on stove top until fork tender. Set aside.
- Cut chicken up into small bitesized pieces.
- Toss chicken with oil and all spices. Lay flat in air fryer and cook in preheated air fryer at 400F to 12 minutes or until chicken is 160F internally.
- While chicken is cooking, add soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, sriracha, sesame oil, and ground ginger to a sauce pot. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, add arrowroot slurry. Let boil 4-5 minutes or until sauce has thickened greatly.
- Prepare bowls by layering rice, broccoli, chicken, and covering in sauce. Mix together spicy mayo ingredients and drizzle on top. Top with sesame seeds.
There may be affiliate links in this post!ย By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat ๐
Catherine says
Great recipe! super easy dinner that the whole family loved!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Catherine, so happy you all loved them! ๐
Julie says
I made this tonight for the first time & it did not disappoint. Erin, i love your recipes and always know how much we appreciate you!!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Julie, so glad you loved the bowls! ๐
Jess says
I make this almost every week!! Such a great meal prep for work lunch – my coworkers always ask about it! So yummy!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jess, so happy you loved it! ๐
Nichole says
So yummy and so easy!! I subbed liquid aminos for soy sauce and the sauce still came out perfect!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Nichole, so happy you loved them! ๐
Lacey says
This was super easy to make and so yummy!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lacey, so happy you loved them! ๐
Sam says
LOVE LOVE LOVE. This recipe could not have been easier or more delicious. Erin continuously hits it out of the park and I will always come to her for dinner ideas!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sam, so happy you loved it so much! ๐
Caitlin says
Hi! I don’t have sriracha on hand – could I just substitute in with a hot sauce?
Erin says
Hi Caitlin, yes, of course! Any hot sauce works!
Alexa says
Nothing but amazing things to say about Erin and her recipes and this one is no different! Since I made it for the first time a few months ago, the sticky chicken bowls have been in our meal rotation! So. Good!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Alexa, so happy you loved them! ๐
Ginny Renas says
Flavor is amazing. My husband and I both loved it! Easy and delicious.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ginny, so happy you both enjoyed them!!
Tonya says
Very delicious! Is the nutrition information for the whole bowl (rice, broccoli, and chicken) or just for the chicken?
Erin says
Hi Tonya, so glad you enjoyed it! It is for the whole bowl.
Abbie says
Easy to make and delicious!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Abbie, so glad you loved them! ๐
Jayna says
My favorite meal!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jayna, so happy you love them!!
Whit G says
Love love love this dish!!! I usually make this + the salmon version because my family doesnโt enjoy salmon but both are a huge hit!!! I love the flavors and the colors of this dish. If Iโm feeling fancy, I throw in some cabbage or carrots to give it more texture. However, it is 100% amazing and delish as is!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Whit, so glad you all love it and great idea!!
Talia Marley says
Seriously such a delicious meal. I love chicken & rice meals and this was a nice twist to what I cook. Thank you Erin!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Talia, so glad you loved them! ๐
Judy says
The most perfect sauce!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Judy, so happy you loved them!
Taylin Ramey says
This recipe was on point! My husband went back for seconds!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Taylin, so glad it was a hit!!
Lindsay says
Hi Erin! My whole family really liked this. I am new to air-frying. Did you do the chicken on โbakeโ or โair fryโ? Look forward to trying more of your recipes!
Erin says
Hi Lindsay, so happy it was a hit! We did it on air fry!
Kelsey says
I love this recipe! Iโve made it twice and itโs so good
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kelsey, so happy you loved them! ๐
Beth says
Can you make the chicken without an air fryer? *gasp* I donโt have one! ๐ซฃ
Erin says
Hi Beth, yep, bake at 400 for 15 min! ๐
Nikole says
So stinkin good and easy to make! Surprisingly a *tad* spicy but I canโt tell if I messed something up lol
Anyway, incredible and will be making again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Nikole, so glad you liked it and it could have been the chili powder and sriracha. Feel free to omit them next time if you’d like to.