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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
Ellie says
Made this last night. Highly recommend, it is delicious!!! Even my kids loved it!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ellie, so happy you all enjoyed them so much!!
Kate says
This recipe is SO delicious! I pan cooked the chicken because I don’t have an air fryer and it worked out just fine. Everything came together so well. Hubby went back for seconds and even my 15 month old loved it! Keeping this in our rotation for sure.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kate, so happy they were a huge hit! ๐
Helene says
Can you make this in a skillet, my air fryer is packed as I am getting ready to move?
Erin says
Hi Helene, that should still work. Let me know how they come out!
Katie says
This was sooo good! New staple in my house for sure ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Katie, so happy you loved them! ๐
Claire says
I tossed the chicken in the spices and some cornstarch and pan fried them on my stovetop and used quinoa in place of rice- so good! First time was a little spicy for my weak tastebuds but I just cut down the sriracha a bit
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Claire, so happy you loved them!!
Lyss says
So so good!! Will definitely be making again soon!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lyss, so happy you loved the bowls!! ๐
Allison Carson says
Haven’t made this yet but can you use a cooked rotisserie chicken?
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Allison, yes of course! Feel free to sub it in!
Sarah says
Really good and easy to make!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sarah, so happy you loved them!!
Marilyn C says
Perfect recipe!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Marilyn, so happy you loved them! ๐
Lisa says
Just made this tonight and it was so delicious! I couldnโt find siracha so omitted it from the sticky sauce but found siracha and mayo sauce already mixed and my goodness it was so tasty!
Erin says
Hi Lisa, so happy you loved them and made it your own! ๐
Jessica says
What if you don’t have an air fryer? Can you bake it in the oven?
M Moore says
Made this for dinner tonight, family all enjoyed it! Great flavors!!
★★★★
Erin says
Hi, so happy you loved them!! ๐
Chase Dalessandro says
I make this every other week if not every week! Such a quick and easy recipe of your fave chicken/rice combo from home. Love love love!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Chase, so happy you love them so much! ๐
Jill says
Do you think cauliflower would be an ok substitute for broccoli? Broccoli is literally the one food my husband absolutely despises.
Erin says
Hi Jill, yes of course! Feel free to make them your own and let me know how they come out!!
Suzanne says
What could I use as n place of sriracha? I love spicy but would like to have another option for other family members.
Erin says
Hi Suzanne, you can just omit it for them if you want or they can use a sauce they like!
Bailey says
Made this today, it was delicious! I substituted mikes hot honey for the honey but didnโt add as much and then added a little brown sugar to the sauce mixture too. Delicious meal and so easy!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Bailey, so happy you loved them and made them your own! ๐
April says
Made this for dinner tonight. My husband and I enjoyed it. The sriracha gives it a nice little zip but not too much. The spicy mayo addition is nice. I donโt have an air fryer so I baked my chicken pieces for 15 minutes at 375. It all came together pretty quick. Definitely will make this again
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi April, so glad you both loved them!! ๐
Megan says
This recipe came together quick and tasted so good! My first bite I thought I was eating something from a restaurant. So flavorful!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Megan, so happy you loved them!! ๐
Katie says
Made this for meal prep to start the new year and it was delicious! The sauce is so good. Will definitely be in our rotation this year!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Katie, so happy you loved them!! ๐
Bri says
Made this tonight and it was so so good! Thank you for yet another amazing staple recipe. Definitely going to be on repeat for our family!
Erin says
Hi Bri, so happy everyone loved them! ๐