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Delicious & Healthy Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls: Your Ultimate Meal Prep Solution

Happy Meal Prep Monday, everyone! This week, our culinary compass is firmly set on “eating clean” and embracing the vibrant goodness of green vegetables. To help you effortlessly incorporate those vital greens into your diet, I’m absolutely thrilled to share this amazing recipe for Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls. It’s perfectly balanced with tender, savory chicken, crisp green onions, and perfectly cooked asparagus. This dish isn’t just a meal; it’s a flavorful journey that proves healthy eating can be both easy to prepare and incredibly delicious!

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a well-crafted rice bowl, especially when it’s crowned with the perfect, flavorful sauce. If you’re like me and appreciate a meal that’s wholesome, light, yet profoundly satisfying, then this sesame chicken recipe is about to become your new favorite. This past weekend, my husband Brandon and I stumbled upon a fantastic eatery called “Teriyaki Grill” at the point of the mountain. We were so impressed! Their rice bowls were exceptionally healthy and light, tasting remarkably similar to a comforting, home-cooked meal. We both gave it a resounding thumbs up, so if you’re in Southern Utah or the Provo area, definitely check them out! The experience inspired me to recreate that healthy, satisfying flavor profile right here in my own kitchen, capturing that fresh, homemade taste without needing one to open in Sugarhouse.

Why This Sesame Chicken Rice Bowl Belongs in Your Recipe Collection

Beyond its fantastic flavor, this Sesame Chicken Rice Bowl offers a host of benefits that make it an ideal choice for any busy lifestyle. Whether you’re a seasoned meal prepper or simply looking for a simple, healthy dinner solution, this recipe delivers on all fronts:

Healthy & Wholesome: This dish is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s packed with lean protein from the chicken, essential vitamins and fiber from the fresh asparagus and green onions, and sustained energy from the brown rice. It’s designed to keep you feeling full, satisfied, and energized throughout your day.
Bursting with Authentic Flavor: The homemade sesame sauce is truly the star here, striking a perfect balance between sweet, savory, and tangy. It transforms simple ingredients into an experience that rivals your favorite takeout, but with the added peace of mind that comes from home cooking.
Effortlessly Easy to Make: With straightforward steps and readily available ingredients, this recipe is accessible for cooks of all skill levels. You don’t need to be a gourmet chef to create something extraordinary and delicious for your family.
Meal Prep Perfection: As the name implies, this dish excels as a meal prep option. Batch cook on Sunday, and you’ll have delicious, healthy lunches or dinners ready to go for the entire week. It reheats beautifully, making healthy eating incredibly convenient and sustainable.
A True Family Favorite: The mild, appealing flavors and the customizable nature of a rice bowl make it a guaranteed hit with both adults and children. It’s a wonderful and easy way to introduce more greens and whole grains into your family’s diet without any fuss or complaints.

Simplifying Meal Prep: Dinner Tonight or Meals for the Week

The concept of meal prepping sometimes intimidates people, conjuring images of endless containers and complicated spreadsheets. However, it doesn’t have to be a daunting task! While this recipe is absolutely perfect for batch cooking and setting yourself up for a week of healthy eating, it’s also incredibly simple to prepare for a single family dinner on any given night. Don’t let the idea of “meal prepping” scare you away; think of it simply as making a really good, generous dinner that happens to yield delicious, ready-to-eat leftovers.

The full recipe provided here is designed to comfortably feed a family of 4 to 5 people, ensuring everyone gets a satisfying portion and likely leaving you with a convenient, healthy lunch for the next day. Embracing meal prep, even for just a few days, can dramatically reduce stress during busy weeknights. Imagine coming home knowing a wholesome, delicious meal is ready to be quickly warmed up. It saves valuable time, significantly cuts down on expenses (no last-minute takeout!), and empowers you to make consistently healthier food choices. This Sesame Chicken Rice Bowl is a fantastic and flavorful starting point for anyone looking to dip their toes into the rewarding world of organized and healthy eating.

Gather Your Ingredients for These Flavorful Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls

One of the true beauties of this recipe is its reliance on readily available, common ingredients that come together harmoniously to create something truly special and memorable. Here’s exactly what you’ll need to create your own delightful Sesame Chicken and Rice Bowls at home:

Sesame Chicken and Rice Bowls Ingredients:

3 Large Chicken Breasts: These form the lean, protein-packed base of our bowls.
6 Tablespoons Honey: Essential for adding natural sweetness and contributing to that wonderfully sticky, glossy glaze.
4 Tablespoons Ketchup: While it might seem unusual, ketchup provides a fantastic tangy depth that is a secret ingredient in many savory-sweet Asian-inspired sauces!
4 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar: Helps to balance the tanginess and further enhances the overall sweetness of our signature sauce.
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce: The crucial umami foundation, delivering that rich, savory, and salty flavor profile.
2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar: Lends a bright, slightly acidic note that beautifully cuts through the richness and balances the entire flavor spectrum of the sauce.
1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds: Primarily used for garnish, they also add a subtle nutty flavor and a pleasing textural crunch.
2 Tablespoons Corn Starch: This ingredient is crucial for thickening our sauce to the perfect consistency and ensuring the chicken gets that desirable “sticky” coating.
2 Green Onions: Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor, a delicate crispness, and a vibrant pop of green color to your finished bowl.
1 Bunch of Asparagus: Our star green vegetable, offering a lovely tender-crisp texture and a distinctive earthy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the chicken.
2 cups Brown Rice: A wholesome, fiber-rich whole grain that serves as the healthy and hearty base for your delicious bowl.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Delicious Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls

Follow these clear and simple instructions to create your own batch of irresistible Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls. Remember, a little patience and attention to detail at each step will yield the most delicious and satisfying results!

Prepare the Chicken: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly season the chicken breasts generously on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 50 minutes, or until they are thoroughly cooked through and no longer pink in the center. An internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) indicates doneness. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before cubing them into bite-sized pieces.
Cook the Brown Rice: While the chicken is baking, prepare your brown rice. For perfectly fluffy and consistent brown rice, I highly recommend using a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot if you have one – it makes the process incredibly easy and reliable. Alternatively, you can follow the package directions for cooking brown rice on the stovetop or in a dedicated rice cooker.
Sauté the Asparagus: In a medium frying pan or skillet, heat about a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the trimmed asparagus spears and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until they are vibrant green and tender-crisp. You want them to retain a slight bite and not become overly soft. Set the cooked asparagus aside.
Whisk the Sesame Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the honey, ketchup, granulated sugar, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Whisk all the ingredients vigorously until they are thoroughly combined and smooth. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring consistently to prevent anything from sticking or scorching.
Thicken the Sauce: Once the sauce mixture begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for another 5-7 minutes. Continue to stir occasionally during this time. The sauce should gradually thicken to a glossy, syrupy, glaze-like consistency, enough to beautifully coat the back of a spoon. Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat.
Coat the Chicken: Take your cooked and cubed chicken breasts and carefully place them into a gallon-sized ziplock bag. Add the corn starch to the bag. Seal the bag securely, ensuring some air is trapped inside, and shake vigorously until all the chicken pieces are evenly coated with a thin layer of corn starch. This step is key for the sauce to adhere perfectly and give the chicken a desirable sticky texture.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Gently add the corn starch-coated chicken cubes to the saucepan containing the thickened sticky sesame sauce. Toss the chicken gently but thoroughly, ensuring that every single piece is completely coated in the delicious, glistening glaze.
Assemble and Serve: Divide the warm, cooked brown rice evenly among your individual serving bowls. Generously top each portion of rice with the sesame-glazed chicken and the perfectly sautéed asparagus. For the finishing touch, garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a generous amount of freshly chopped green onions. Serve immediately and savor every delicious bite!

Expert Tips for the Perfect Sesame Chicken Rice Bowl Every Time

Achieving culinary perfection often lies in the details. Here are some pro tips to ensure your Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls are consistently outstanding:

Avoid Overcooking the Chicken: Dry chicken can detract from any dish. Baking your chicken breasts until they are just done (internal temp 165°F) ensures they remain tender and juicy, perfect for soaking up that amazing sauce.
Aim for Tender-Crisp Asparagus: The best asparagus is bright green with a slight snap. Overcooking leads to mushy vegetables, so keep an eye on them and remove them from the heat as soon as they reach the tender-crisp stage.
Master the Sauce Consistency: The sauce is key! Simmer it until it’s thick enough to cling to the chicken, creating a beautiful glaze. If it gets too thick, a tiny splash of hot water can loosen it. If it’s too thin, simmer a little longer.
Freshness Matters: Using fresh, vibrant ingredients like crisp asparagus and pungent green onions truly makes a difference in the final taste, texture, and visual appeal of your bowls.
Customize to Your Palate: Feel free to adjust the sweetness or tanginess of the sauce to suit your personal preference. For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha added to the sauce can provide a wonderful kick!

Storage and Reheating for Seamless Meal Prep Success

This Sesame Chicken Rice Bowl recipe is a true champion for meal prepping! Once the cooked components have cooled completely to room temperature, divide the chicken and sauce, cooked rice, and sautéed asparagus into individual, airtight meal prep containers. Properly stored, your delicious bowls will remain fresh and flavorful in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy your prepped meal, simply reheat it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until it is thoroughly warmed through. Alternatively, for a slightly fresher taste, you can gently warm the components on the stovetop in a skillet with a tiny splash of water or broth to prevent them from drying out.

Ready to Transform Your Week with Delicious, Healthy Meals?

Whether you’re diligently planning your meals for the week or simply seeking a delightful and healthy weeknight dinner solution, these Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls with green onions and asparagus are sure to impress. They stand as a testament to how simple, wholesome ingredients, when combined with just a touch of care and a fantastic homemade sauce, can create a meal that is both profoundly nourishing and incredibly satisfying. Say goodbye to bland, uninspired meal preps and hello to a vibrant, flavorful, and exciting culinary experience!

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We truly hope you love these Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls as much as we do. They’re a perfect blend of convenience, health, and flavor. Happy cooking, and happy healthy eating!