Spicy honey-ginger chicken bowls are a vibrant, flavor-packed meal layered with tender chicken, crisp veggies, fluffy rice, and a drizzle of creamy, tangy yum yum sauce. The sweet heat from the honey-ginger glaze pairs perfectly with the cool richness of the sauce, making every bite totally addictive. It’s one of my go-to bowl meals when I want something bold, fresh, and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it brings together sweet, spicy, and savory in one balanced bowl. The honey-ginger glaze caramelizes beautifully on the chicken, while the yum yum sauce cools it all down with a creamy, garlicky finish. It’s easy to customize with whatever veggies or grains I have on hand, and it’s just as good for a quick dinner as it is for meal prep.
Ingredients
(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Spicy Honey-Ginger Chicken:
- Chicken thighs or breasts (boneless, skinless, diced)
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Fresh ginger (grated)
- Garlic (minced)
- Sriracha or chili paste
- Rice vinegar
- Cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- Olive oil or sesame oil (for cooking)
For the Yum Yum Sauce:
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Rice vinegar
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Sugar
- Water (to thin, if needed)
For the Bowls:
- Cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine)
- Shredded carrots
- Cucumber slices
- Avocado
- Red cabbage or lettuce
- Green onions or cilantro (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Directions
- I whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sriracha, and rice vinegar to make the glaze.
- I heat oil in a skillet, add the diced chicken, and cook until browned and fully cooked.
- I pour in the glaze and simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken (I add a cornstarch slurry if I want it thicker).
- While the chicken cooks, I mix up the yum yum sauce by whisking together all the sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy.
- To assemble the bowls, I start with a base of rice, then layer on the chicken, fresh veggies, and avocado.
- I drizzle with yum yum sauce, sprinkle on green onions and sesame seeds, and serve warm.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes about 4 hearty bowls. It takes 15 minutes to prep and 15–20 minutes to cook, so I can have everything ready in about 30–35 minutes.
Variations
- I sometimes use tofu or shrimp instead of chicken for a different protein.
- For extra crunch, I toss in chopped peanuts or crispy wonton strips.
- Adding mango or pineapple gives the bowl a sweet, tropical twist.
- Quinoa or cauliflower rice works great for a low-carb base.
Storage/Reheating
Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. I store the chicken and rice separately from the veggies and sauce, then reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. The yum yum sauce stays fresh in the fridge for up to a week.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, I often prep the chicken, sauce, and rice ahead and just assemble the bowls when ready to eat. It’s great for meal prep.
How spicy is the chicken?
It has a nice medium kick, but I adjust the sriracha to make it more or less spicy depending on who’s eating.
What’s in yum yum sauce?
It’s a creamy, tangy Japanese steakhouse-style sauce made with mayo, ketchup, garlic powder, and a touch of vinegar and sugar.
Can I grill the chicken?
Absolutely. I marinate the chicken in the glaze, grill it, and then reduce the remaining glaze on the stove to drizzle over the top.
What vegetables work best in the bowl?
I like shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, red cabbage, avocado, and green onions—but anything crisp and fresh works great.
Conclusion
Spicy honey-ginger chicken bowls with yum yum sauce are one of my favorite meals when I want something bold, healthy, and seriously tasty. The layers of flavor and texture make each bite satisfying, and I love how easy it is to mix and match ingredients based on what I have. Whether for dinner or meal prep, this recipe never disappoints.
Spicy Honey-Ginger Chicken Bowls with Yum Yum Sauce
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: 30–35 minutes
- Yield: 4 bowls
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
Spicy Honey-Ginger Chicken Bowls with Yum Yum Sauce are a bold, flavor-packed meal perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Tender honey-ginger glazed chicken is served over fluffy rice with fresh veggies and drizzled with creamy, tangy yum yum sauce. This sweet, spicy, and savory bowl is healthy, customizable, and totally satisfying. Keywords: spicy honey ginger chicken bowls, yum yum sauce chicken, Asian chicken rice bowl, honey ginger chicken meal prep.
Ingredients
- For the Spicy Honey-Ginger Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, diced
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 teaspoon sriracha or chili paste (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (optional, for thickening)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or sesame oil
- For the Yum Yum Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1–2 teaspoon water (to thin, if needed)
- For the Bowls:
- 2 cups cooked white, brown, or jasmine rice
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage or lettuce
- 2 green onions, chopped or fresh cilantro
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)aa
Instructions
- Whisk together honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sriracha, and rice vinegar to create the glaze.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add diced chicken, and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Pour the glaze over the chicken and simmer until thickened, adding cornstarch slurry if needed.
- In a bowl, mix all yum yum sauce ingredients until smooth.
- To assemble bowls, start with rice, add chicken, veggies, and avocado.
- Drizzle with yum yum sauce, top with green onions and sesame seeds, and serve.
Notes
- Adjust sriracha based on your spice preference.
- You can substitute tofu or shrimp for the chicken.
- Store sauce, chicken, and veggies separately for best freshness.
- Great for meal prep—just assemble fresh when ready to eat.
