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Easy Sweet Chili Chicken Rice Bowls Recipe for Quick Weeknight Dinners

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A quick and flavorful sweet chili chicken rice bowl recipe perfect for busy weeknights, combining tender chicken, sweet chili sauce, fluffy rice, and fresh crunchy veggies.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce (Mae Ploy recommended)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp vegetable or neutral cooking oil
  • 1 cup jasmine rice or long-grain white rice (uncooked)
  • 1 3/4 cups water or chicken broth
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup sliced cucumber or snap peas
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • A handful of cilantro leaves (optional)
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • Fresh lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 cup jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice and 1 3/4 cups water or broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
  2. Slice chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and minced garlic. Set aside.
  4. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour sweet chili sauce mixture over chicken and stir to coat evenly. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes sticky and glossy.
  6. While chicken simmers, prepare veggies: slice cucumbers or snap peas, shred carrots, chop green onions, cilantro, and cut lime wedges.
  7. Assemble bowls by dividing rice between bowls, topping with sweet chili chicken, fresh veggies, sesame seeds, and green onions. Serve with lime wedges.

Notes

Do not rush the rice steaming step for fluffy texture. Pat chicken dry before cooking to get a good sear. Cook chicken in batches to avoid steaming. Simmer sauce on low heat to avoid burning. Adjust heat by adding crushed red pepper flakes or fresh chilies. Leftovers store well separately; reheat gently with a splash of water or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet chili chicken, rice bowls, quick dinner, weeknight meal, easy recipe, chicken recipe, healthy dinner

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/easy-sweet-chili-chicken-rice-bowls-recipe-for-quick-weeknight-dinners/