Say goodbye to takeout—this sticky chicken rice bowl is faster, fresher, and undeniably addictive. Crispy air-fried chicken gets bathed in a caramelized honey-soy glaze, while a spicy mayo drizzle turns up the heat.
Paired with tender-crisp broccoli and fluffy rice, it’s a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and umami.
The secret lies in its two-sauce magic and endless ways to customize. Discover five reasons this dish will become your new weeknight favorite.
Why This Recipe Works
The magic of this dish lies in its perfectly balanced sauce – a harmonious blend of honey, soy sauce, and aromatics that transforms ordinary chicken into an irresistible meal. The combination of honey and soy sauce creates a complex flavor profile where the honey’s sweetness balances the umami-rich soy sauce, while also helping create a caramelized glaze when heated.
The addition of rice vinegar provides essential acidity that cuts through the richness and helps tenderize the chicken.
The air fryer method ensures crispy chicken pieces while keeping the preparation quick and simple. This cooking technique creates a Maillard reaction on the chicken’s surface, developing deep flavors and a satisfying texture, while the interior remains juicy.
The high-heat circulation of the air fryer also helps the sauce reduce and caramelize evenly around each piece of chicken, creating that signature sticky coating.
The Art of Bowl Building
Building a rice bowl is an art that involves balancing flavors, textures, and colors to create a visually appealing and delicious meal. The foundation of any great rice bowl is perfectly cooked rice, which serves as a neutral base that allows other ingredients to shine.
A good rule of thumb is to ensure that the rice is fluffy and not overly sticky, providing a pleasant mouthfeel that complements the other components.
In addition to the rice, each topping should be carefully selected and prepared to add variety in texture and flavor. For example, steaming broccoli until it is tender-crisp ensures it retains its vibrant color and slight crunch, adding both nutritional value and visual appeal.
The layering technique used in assembling the bowl allows for each ingredient to be tasted individually while also blending harmoniously when mixed together, creating an exciting eating experience with every bite.
Customization Options
Protein Alternatives:
- Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version
- Use shrimp or salmon for a seafood variation
- Try thinly sliced beef or pork for red meat options
- Consider edamame or chickpeas for plant-based protein
Base Variations:
- Replace white rice with brown rice for added fiber
- Use quinoa for a protein-rich alternative
- Switch to cauliflower rice for a low-carb option
- Try soba noodles or rice noodles for a different texture
Vegetable Add-ins:
- Add snap peas or green beans for extra crunch
- Include sliced bell peppers for color and vitamin C
- Mix in shredded carrots or purple cabbage
- Top with cucumber for freshness
- Consider adding mushrooms for an umami flavor
Sauce Modifications:
- Adjust sriracha levels for desired heat
- Add gochujang for a Korean-inspired twist
- Include hoisin sauce for extra sweetness
- Mix in black vinegar for tanginess
- Incorporate miso paste for depth of flavor
Garnish Options:
- Finish with a drizzle of chili oil for heat
- Sprinkle with furikake for a traditional Japanese flavor
- Add crushed peanuts or cashews for crunch
- Top with fresh herbs like cilantro or Thai basil
- Include pickled vegetables for acidity
Sticky Chicken Rice Bowl
Ingredients
For the Bowl Base:
- 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
For the 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 + 2 tbsp water for slurry
For the Spicy Mayo:
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1 tbsp sriracha
- 2-3 tbsp water
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Start the rice first: Rinse 2 cups of rice until water runs clear, then cook according to package directions. This typically takes 20-25 minutes, giving you time to prepare everything else.
- Prep the chicken: Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-sized cubes. In a large bowl, toss chicken pieces with olive oil, salt, pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and oregano until evenly coated.
- Air fry the chicken: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Place seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding). Cook for 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until chicken reaches 160°F on a meat thermometer.
- Make the sticky sauce: While chicken cooks, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, sriracha, sesame oil, and ground ginger in a medium saucepan. In a small bowl, mix arrowroot powder with 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Bring sauce to a boil over medium heat, whisk in arrowroot slurry, and simmer 4-5 minutes until sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Cook the broccoli: Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. Steam in a steamer basket over boiling water for 4-5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp (you should be able to pierce with a fork but still have some resistance).
- Prepare spicy mayo: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and sriracha. Add water gradually until you reach a drizzling consistency.
- Assemble your bowls: Divide cooked rice among serving bowls. Arrange steamed broccoli on one side and cooked chicken on the other. Pour warm sticky sauce over the chicken, drizzle with spicy mayo, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately while hot. For meal prep, store components separately in airtight containers and assemble just before eating.
Notes
- Let rice rest covered for 10 minutes after cooking for a fluffier texture
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer – chicken should be in a single layer
- The sauce will thicken as it cools; if too thick, warm it slightly and whisk in a tablespoon of water
- Taste and adjust the spiciness of the mayo before drizzling
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.