Description
These Sesame Chicken Bowls are a quick and flavorful meal with crispy chicken, fragrant basmati rice, and a tangy orange sauce. Topped with sesame seeds and served with steamed broccoli, they are a delicious and satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Basmati rice
Broccoli florets
Chicken stock
Orange marmalade
Freshly squeezed orange juice
Reduced sodium soy sauce
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Freshly grated ginger
Garlic, minced
Sriracha (optional)
Corn starch
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Canola oil
Toasted sesame seeds
Green onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Cook the rice: In a large saucepan, cook the basmati rice according to package instructions using 1 1/2 cups of water. Set aside.
- Steam the broccoli: Place the broccoli florets into a steamer or a colander set over a pan of boiling water. Cover and steam for 5 minutes, or until tender and vibrant green. Set aside.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together chicken stock, orange marmalade, orange juice, soy sauce, lemon juice, ginger, garlic, Sriracha (if using), and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Set aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle the remaining 3 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the canola oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 6-8 minutes per batch. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the sauce thick: In the same skillet, stir in the chicken stock mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Finish the dish: Return the chicken to the skillet and stir until the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and cook for another minute.
- Assemble the bowls: Serve the chicken over a bed of rice with steamed broccoli on the side. Garnish with sliced green onion if desired.
Notes
For a milder dish, omit the Sriracha or reduce the amount used.
Use chicken breasts if preferred for a leaner option.
For added crunch, sprinkle chopped peanuts or water chestnuts on top.
Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
