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Sweet Chili Chicken Rice Bowls with Chicken Thighs

Tender chicken thighs glazed in sweet chili sauce, served over jasmine rice with quick pickled cucumbers and sesame pear slaw for a balanced, flavorful weeknight meal
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 720

Ingredients
  

  • 600 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs diced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 cups jasmine rice
  • 1 pinch salt for rice
  • 1 mini cucumber thinly sliced
  • 5 teaspoons rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt for pickles
  • water to cover cucumbers
  • 4 oz coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage
  • 1 small pear julienned
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon ponzu sauce or mix of lemon juice and soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon pickling liquid from cucumbers
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds divided
  • 1 oz sweet Thai chili sauce
  • 2 teaspoons neutral oil for frying

Equipment

  • Paper towels
  • mixing bowls
  • large skillet
  • Pot for rice
  • whisk
  • Serving bowls

Method
 

  1. Pat diced chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. In a bowl, toss chicken with soy sauce to season, then sprinkle cornstarch over the pieces and mix until evenly coated.
  2. Rinse jasmine rice under cold water until it runs clear. In a pot, combine rice with 2ΒΌ cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to low, cover, and cook for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from heat and keep covered.
  3. Thinly slice cucumber and place in a bowl. Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved, then pour over cucumbers with just enough water to cover. Let sit while you cook the rest.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and ponzu. Add julienned pear, coleslaw mix, and a teaspoon of the pickling liquid. Stir until combined. Season with salt, pepper, and half the sesame seeds.
  5. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and let cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Flip and cook the other side for another 2 to 3 minutes until crispy and cooked through.
  6. Transfer cooked chicken to a clean bowl and drizzle with sweet chili sauce. Toss until every piece is glossy and coated.
  7. Fluff rice and divide into serving bowls. Top with sweet chili chicken, a heap of sesame slaw, and drained pickled cucumbers. Finish with remaining sesame seeds for a final nutty crunch.

Notes

Chicken thighs offer more flavor and tenderness than breasts. For low-carb version, swap jasmine rice for cauliflower rice. Pickled cucumbers get more flavorful the longer they sit. For extra heat, stir a teaspoon of sriracha into the glaze.
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