# Sesame Chicken Rice Bowls

> Make sesame chicken rice bowls with pan-browned chicken, soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and broccoli.

This recipe is written for home cooks in Europe and North America. Ingredient notes prioritize items available from regular supermarkets, Asian grocery stores, or common online retailers.

Image preview: /images/recipes/sesame-chicken-rice-bowls-1200.webp
Image full quality: /images/recipes/sesame-chicken-rice-bowls-1536.webp

## Overview

Sesame chicken is popular with families because it is mild, sweet-savory, and easy to serve with rice. This version skips deep frying and uses a light cornstarch coating so the chicken still catches a glossy sesame glaze.

The bowl format makes it flexible. Add broccoli, cucumber, carrots, or leftover vegetables depending on what is in the fridge. The sauce is intentionally simple so it can be made from supermarket soy sauce, honey or sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.


## Facts

- Servings: 4
- Prep time: 16 minutes
- Cook time: 16 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Heat level: None
- Tags: takeout-style, chicken, family-friendly, meal-prep

## Why It Works

It gives the sweet-savory sesame flavor many Western diners like without needing deep frying, hard-to-find sauces, or restaurant equipment.

## Ingredients

- chicken: 600 g / 1.3 lb.
- cornstarch: 2 tbsp.
- soy sauce: 3 tbsp.
- honey or brown sugar: 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar.
- rice vinegar: 1 tbsp.
- toasted sesame oil: 2 tsp.
- garlic: 2 cloves.
- ginger: 1 tsp grated (optional).
- broccoli: 2 cups florets (optional).
- sesame seeds: 1 tbsp (optional).
- rice: Cooked rice, to serve (optional).

## Equipment

- Large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Small bowl

## Steps

1. Prepare sauce

   Mix soy sauce, honey or sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and a splash of water.

2. Brown chicken

   Toss chicken with cornstarch, then cook in a hot skillet until golden and cooked through.

3. Add vegetables

   Steam-sear broccoli in the same pan or use leftover cooked vegetables for a faster bowl.

4. Glaze

   Return chicken to the pan, add sauce, and toss until shiny. Finish with sesame seeds over rice.

## Western Grocery Notes

- Chicken thighs are forgiving for meal prep; chicken breast gives a leaner bowl.
- Toasted sesame oil is stronger than plain sesame oil, so a small amount is enough.
- Bagged broccoli florets or frozen broccoli make this easier on weeknights.

## Substitutions

- Use tofu or shrimp instead of chicken.
- Use maple syrup or brown sugar instead of honey.
- Use green beans, carrots, or snap peas instead of broccoli.

## Ingredient Alternatives

- Chicken: Provides the main protein for the bowl. Alternatives: Chicken thigh, Chicken breast, Firm tofu. Thighs stay juicy for reheating. Tofu should be pressed and browned before sauce is added.
- Sesame oil: Adds the nutty sesame aroma. Alternatives: Toasted sesame oil, Tahini thinned with water, Skip and use sesame seeds. Toasted sesame oil is strong. Add it near the end rather than frying it hard.
- Broccoli: Turns the bowl into a fuller dinner. Alternatives: Green beans, Carrots, Snow peas. Any vegetable that cooks quickly and likes a sweet-savory glaze can work.

## Cook Better Next Time

- Mix the sauce before cooking because the chicken browns quickly.
- Use medium-high heat so the cornstarch coating browns without burning the glaze.
- Add sesame seeds at the end so they keep texture and do not scorch.

## FAQ

### Is sesame chicken the same as orange chicken?

No. Sesame chicken is nutty and sweet-savory, while orange chicken has a stronger citrus sauce.

### Can sesame chicken be meal prepped?

Yes. Store rice, chicken, and vegetables together for a few days, but add fresh cucumber or green onion after reheating.

### Can I make sesame chicken without sesame oil?

Yes. The flavor is less nutty, but soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame seeds still make a useful bowl.

## Related Recipes

- [Orange Chicken Bites](/recipes/orange-chicken-bites/): A family-friendly orange chicken skillet with crisp-tender chicken pieces, fresh orange sauce, garlic, ginger, and rice.
- [Sweet and Sour Chicken Skillet](/recipes/sweet-and-sour-chicken-skillet/): A bright sweet and sour chicken skillet with bell peppers, onion, pineapple, ketchup, vinegar, and a quick glossy sauce.
- [Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry](/recipes/chicken-broccoli-stir-fry/): A practical takeout-style stir-fry using chicken, broccoli, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch.

## Internal Links

- Static recipe page: /recipes/sesame-chicken-rice-bowls/
- Markdown recipe mirror: /recipes/sesame-chicken-rice-bowls.md
- Recipe JSON-LD: /structured-data/recipes/sesame-chicken-rice-bowls.jsonld

## Community Prompt

Did you serve sesame chicken with broccoli, cucumber, or another vegetable?