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If there’s one dish that perfectly balances sweet, savory, garlicky, and comforting, it’s the Sticky Soy Garlic Chicken Rice Bowl. This recipe brings together tender chicken coated in a glossy soy-garlic glaze, served over warm, fluffy rice for a meal that feels indulgent yet incredibly easy to make at home.
This isn’t a snack. This isn’t a side dish.
This is a proper main course — the kind you crave after a long day, the kind that beats takeout every single time.
What makes this sticky soy garlic chicken rice bowl special is its simplicity. No complicated ingredients. No long marinating times. Just pantry staples, bold flavor, and a fast cooking process that delivers restaurant-style results in under 40 minutes.
Whether you’re cooking for family, meal prepping for the week, or impressing guests without stress, this bowl deserves a permanent spot in your recipe rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Sticky Soy Garlic Chicken Rice Bowl
- Big flavor, minimal effort – garlic, soy sauce, and honey do all the heavy lifting
- Perfectly sticky glaze that coats every bite of chicken
- Customizable with veggies, spice, or different grains
- Meal-prep friendly and reheats beautifully
- Better than takeout with cleaner ingredients and less oil
This dish fits effortlessly into weeknight dinners, lunch meal prep, and even casual dinner parties.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- Soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
- Honey or brown sugar
- Fresh garlic, finely minced
- Fresh ginger, grated
- Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Cornstarch (for thickening)
- Black pepper
For Serving
- Jasmine rice or short-grain white rice
- Green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds
- Optional vegetables (broccoli, carrots, snap peas)
Instructions
1. Cook the Rice
Rinse rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook according to package instructions. Fluff and keep warm.
2. Prepare the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, black pepper, and cornstarch. Set aside.
3. Sear the Chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of oil. Place chicken in a single layer and cook until golden brown on both sides and fully cooked.
4. Create the Sticky Glaze
Reduce heat to medium. Pour the sauce into the pan with the chicken. Stir gently and simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken in a glossy glaze.
5. Slice and Assemble
Slice chicken into bite-sized pieces. Spoon rice into bowls, top with sticky soy garlic chicken, and drizzle with extra sauce from the pan.
6. Garnish and Serve
Finish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot.
What Makes the Sauce So Sticky?
The magic comes from cornstarch + gentle simmering. As the sauce heats, it thickens and clings to the chicken, creating that irresistible lacquered finish you usually only get at restaurants.
Pro tip: Never boil aggressively. A gentle simmer gives you shine without burning.
Best Chicken to Use
- Chicken thighs: Juicier, richer flavor (recommended)
- Chicken breasts: Leaner, still delicious if not overcooked
Cutting chicken into uniform pieces ensures even cooking and better sauce coverage.
Variations You’ll Love
Spicy Version
Add chili garlic sauce, gochujang, or crushed red pepper flakes.
Veggie-Loaded Bowl
Stir-fry broccoli, bell peppers, or snow peas in the pan before adding the sauce.
Low-Carb Option
Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
Extra Crispy
Lightly coat chicken with cornstarch before searing for a crispy exterior.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a simple cucumber salad for freshness
- Serve with kimchi or pickled vegetables
- Add a soft-boiled egg for extra richness
This bowl is satisfying on its own but also shines when paired with light, crunchy sides.
Meal Prep & Storage Tips
- Stores well in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Reheats best on the stovetop with a splash of water
- Rice and chicken can be stored separately or together
This makes it ideal for weekly lunch prep.
Cultural Inspiration
This recipe is inspired by Asian soy-garlic flavor profiles, popular across Korean, Japanese, and Chinese home cooking. While not traditional to one cuisine, it celebrates the universal love of soy sauce, garlic, and rice — a combination enjoyed worldwide.
Final Thoughts
The Sticky Soy Garlic Chicken Rice Bowl is proof that simple ingredients can create unforgettable flavor. It’s comforting, bold, and endlessly adaptable — exactly what a modern home-cooked meal should be.
Once you make it, don’t be surprised if it becomes a weekly staple.
Sticky Soy Garlic Chicken Rice Bowl
Tender chicken coated in a glossy soy garlic glaze served over fluffy rice for a satisfying, better-than-takeout meal.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook rice according to package instructions and keep warm.
- Whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch.
- Sear chicken in a hot skillet until golden and cooked through.
- Pour sauce into skillet and simmer until thick and sticky.
- Serve chicken over rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
Adjust sweetness or saltiness by adding more honey or soy sauce to taste.
