Name: Easy Asian Chicken Rice Bowls
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 tbsp sesame oil (for sauce and finishing); 2 tbsp ketchup (adds sweetness and tang); 1 tbsp oyster sauce (umami depth); 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (enhances flavor); 2 tbsp dark soy sauce (color and saltiness); 1 tbsp brown sugar (balances salty and sour); 1 tsp fresh grated ginger (adds zing); 1 tsp corn starch (for thickening the sauce); 1/4 tsp white pepper (gentle heat); 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying); 1 medium onion, finely chopped (base flavor); 3 garlic cloves, minced (aromatics); 400g ground chicken (main protein); 2 stalks spring onion, sliced (garnish); 1 tbsp sesame seeds or nori furikake (garnish/crunch); 2 tbsp fried shallots (optional, extra texture); 2 cups cooked steamed white rice (base for serving)

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Introduction

If you’re craving a quick, tasty, and filling meal, look no further than these Easy Asian Chicken Rice Bowls. This dish nails that perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savory with a sticky sauce that clings to tender chicken, all served over fluffy steamed rice. It’s the kind of comfort food that feels like a warm hug on a busy day but comes together fast enough to get dinner on the table in about 20 minutes.

What I love most about this recipe is its simplicity and incredible flavor. No fuss, no complicated ingredients—just straightforward Asian-inspired goodness. Plus, I’ve included a video guide to help you nail every step, and tips for customizing it with your favorite veggies or tweaking the sauce to your taste.

Why I Love This Recipe! (Benefits Section)

Tasty: The sauce is a star—sticky and rich with balanced sweet, salty, and sour notes that elevate the chicken.
Nutritious: You can easily add any veggies you have on hand, making this bowl as healthy as you want.
Filling: The combination of steamed rice and protein keeps you satisfied and energized.
Ready in 20 minutes: Minimal prep and quick cooking make it perfect for busy weeknights.
Versatile: This Asian bowl works great for casual dinners or as a special treat.

If you love this Asian chicken and rice recipe, you might want to try these other easy Asian dishes:

Quick Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Sweet and Spicy Tofu Bowls
Ginger Garlic Shrimp Rice Bowls
Simple Teriyaki Chicken with Veggies

Ingredients You Need To Make Asian Chicken Rice Bowl

For the Sauce and Seasoning:

Sesame oil: This fragrant oil adds a toasty, nutty aroma that’s essential in many Asian dishes. Use it sparingly as a finishing touch to elevate the flavor.
Ketchup: Surprising as it sounds, ketchup provides a subtle sweetness and tang that balances the salty and umami elements of the sauce, giving it depth and body.
Oyster sauce: A classic Asian pantry staple, oyster sauce brings rich umami flavor and a slight sweetness that enhances the savory notes in the chicken.
Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine): This fermented rice wine adds complexity and a mild acidity, helping to tenderize the chicken and deepen the overall flavor.
Dark soy sauce: Unlike regular soy sauce, dark soy sauce is thicker and less salty but adds a deep color and a slight caramel sweetness to the sauce.
Brown sugar: Sweetness is key to balancing the salty and sour in Asian sauces. Brown sugar also adds a touch of molasses flavor that enriches the sauce.
Fresh ginger (grated): Ginger adds a fresh, peppery zing with a warm spiciness that cuts through the richness of the sauce and chicken.
Corn starch: Used as a thickening agent, corn starch gives the sauce that perfect glossy, clingy texture that coats the chicken beautifully.
White pepper: More subtle than black pepper, white pepper adds a gentle heat and earthiness that complements the other seasonings without overpowering them.

For the Chicken and Aromatics:

Vegetable oil (for frying): A neutral oil with a high smoke point is perfect for frying the aromatics and chicken, ensuring they cook evenly without burning.
Onion (finely chopped): Onion provides a sweet, savory base flavor when sautéed, essential for building depth in the dish.
Garlic cloves (minced): Garlic adds pungent, aromatic notes that amplify the savory profile of the chicken rice bowl.
Chicken mince (ground chicken): Ground chicken cooks quickly and absorbs the sauce well, making it ideal for a quick and flavorful Asian rice bowl.

Garnishes and Extras:

Spring onion (sliced): Fresh spring onion adds a mild oniony crunch and a pop of green color, enhancing both texture and presentation.
Sesame seeds or Nori furikake: These toppings add an umami-packed crunch or seaweed flavor, perfect for finishing the dish with a subtle but impactful boost.
Fried shallots (optional): Crispy fried shallots introduce a sweet, crunchy texture contrast that takes the bowl to the next level, especially if you like some extra crunch.

Ingredients for Asian chicken rice bowls including sauces, spices, and raw chicken — A colorful layout of key ingredients for making Easy Asian Chicken Rice Bowls, from raw chicken to vibrant seasonings.

How to Make My Asian Chicken Rice Bowl! (5 Easy Steps)

1. Fry garlic and onion until fragrant

Start by heating vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped onion, stirring frequently. This step is crucial because it builds the flavor foundation of your dish—garlic and onion release their natural sweetness and aroma when cooked slowly. Don’t rush or turn the heat too high, or you risk burning the garlic, which can make the dish bitter. You want a soft, golden base that smells irresistible.

2. Cook the chicken mince until fully done

Add the ground chicken to the pan, breaking it up with your spatula or spoon so it cooks evenly. Cook until the chicken turns white and starts to brown slightly. Getting some color on the chicken is important—it adds texture and flavor through the Maillard reaction (that delicious browning). Stir frequently but don’t overcrowd the pan; otherwise, the chicken will steam instead of sear, resulting in a less flavorful texture.

3. Mix and add the sauce ingredients, then simmer

In a separate bowl, combine sesame oil, ketchup, oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine, dark soy sauce, brown sugar, grated ginger, white pepper, and corn starch dissolved in a bit of water. Pour this sauce over the cooked chicken and stir well. Let it simmer on low heat, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. This step is key because the thickened sauce clings to the chicken, locking in every bit of flavor.

Sliced chicken cooking in Asian sauce topped with green onions in skillet — Sautéed chicken simmering in a rich Asian-style sauce, garnished with green onions—step three in making the perfect rice bowl.

4. Prepare your rice and optional veggies while the sauce simmers

While your chicken simmers, make sure you have freshly steamed rice ready—jasmine or short-grain rice works best for that soft, sticky texture typical of Asian rice bowls. If you want to add veggies (like steamed bok choy, carrots, or snap peas), prepare them now. This multitasking ensures everything comes together hot and fresh at the same time.

5. Assemble and garnish your Asian Chicken Rice Bowl

Spoon a generous amount of steamed rice into bowls. Top with the sticky, saucy chicken mixture. Garnish with sliced spring onions, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or nori furikake, and, if you like, some crispy fried shallots for extra crunch. These finishing touches add fresh texture, visual appeal, and bursts of flavor that make the dish pop.

Asian chicken rice bowl with steamed rice, carrots, cucumbers, and green onions — A vibrant Asian Chicken Rice Bowl topped with sticky chicken, fresh carrots, cucumber ribbons, and sesame seeds for a nutritious finish.

Tips and Tricks For Recipe Success!

Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements, especially with sauces—that consistency makes a difference.
Start your rice first, so it’s perfectly steamed when the chicken is ready.
Toss in veggies like bok choy, shredded carrots, or snap peas for extra nutrition and color.
Want to switch it up? Try ground pork, turkey, or even chopped mushrooms for a vegetarian twist.
Don’t overcrowd your pan when cooking the chicken; otherwise, it steams instead of searing—this is a common mistake!

Full Recipe: Easy Asian Chicken Rice Bowls

Ingredient	Quantity	Notes
Sesame oil	1 tbsp	For sauce and finishing
Ketchup	2 tbsp	Adds sweetness and tang
Oyster sauce	1 tbsp	Umami depth
Chinese cooking wine	1 tbsp	Enhances flavor
Dark soy sauce	2 tbsp	Color and saltiness
Brown sugar	1 tbsp	Balances salty and sour
Fresh ginger (grated)	1 tsp	Adds zing
Corn starch	1 tsp	For thickening the sauce
White pepper	1/4 tsp	Gentle heat
Vegetable oil	2 tbsp	For frying
Onion (finely chopped)	1 medium	Base flavor
Garlic cloves (minced)	3 cloves	Aromatics
Chicken mince	400g (about 14 oz)	Main protein
Spring onion (sliced)	2 stalks	Garnish
Sesame seeds / Nori furikake	1 tbsp	Garnish/crunch
Fried shallots (optional)	2 tbsp	Extra texture
Steamed white rice	2 cups cooked	Base for serving

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Easy Asian Chicken Rice Bowls

Q: Can I make this dish gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use gluten-free soy sauce and oyster sauce alternatives to keep it safe for gluten sensitivities.

Q: What vegetables work best with this Asian bowl recipe?
A: Snap peas, shredded carrots, bok choy, baby corn, or bell peppers are all great options.

Q: Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
A: Absolutely! The sauce can be mixed and stored for a couple of days in the fridge for easy meal prep.

Q: What rice should I use for this recipe?
A: Jasmine or short-grain white rice works best for that classic Asian rice bowl texture.

Conclusion

This Easy Asian Chicken Rice Bowls recipe is exactly the kind of dinner that hits all the right notes—fast, flavorful, and flexible. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a hungry family, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that makes weeknight cooking a breeze.

If you’re loving easy Asian meals like this, be sure to check out my Pinterest page for even more Asian bowl recipes, easy Asian dinner ideas, and other tasty oriental dishes recipes. And if you want to switch gears for dessert, don’t miss my comforting Irish Rice Pudding it’s a creamy, simple treat that pairs beautifully with these savory bowls.

Try this recipe, tweak it to your taste, and make it your own. Don’t forget to share your version and subscribe for more inspiration to bring the best Asian food ideas right to your kitchen. This is the Asian bowl recipe you’ll want on repeat.

Easy Asian Chicken Rice Bowls – Fast, Flavorful, and Filling

Introduction

Table of Contents

Why I Love This Recipe! (Benefits Section)