Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls are a fun, flavorful, and customizable meal featuring tender glazed chicken, fluffy rice, crunchy veggies, and a drizzle of creamy Yum Yum sauce. These bowls pack sweet, spicy, and savory notes into every bite, making them perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, meal prep, or even a casual dinner party.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with bold, balanced flavor: sweet, tangy, spicy, and creamy
- Easy to customize with your favorite proteins and veggies
- Quick to prepare — ready in under 40 minutes
- Kid-friendly and great for picky eaters
- Excellent for meal prepping
- All components can be made ahead of time
- Makes a beautiful, colorful presentation
- Adaptable to gluten-free or low-carb diets
- Delicious warm or cold
- A healthier take on takeout favorites
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Chicken:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced
- Cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- Soy sauce or tamari
- Olive oil
- Black pepper
For the Glaze:
- Soy sauce or tamari
- Honey
- Orange juice
- Garlic, minced
- Fresh ginger, grated
- Chili paste (like sambal oelek or sriracha)
For the Yum Yum Sauce:
- Mayonnaise
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Seasoned salt
- Cayenne pepper
For the Bowls:
- Cooked jasmine or basmati rice
- Cucumber, thinly sliced
- Avocado, sliced
- Kimchi or pickled vegetables
- Fried wonton strips or crispy noodles
- Green onions, chopped
directions
- Marinate the Chicken: Toss sliced chicken with cornstarch, a splash of soy sauce, and black pepper. Let rest for 10–15 minutes.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add soy sauce, honey, orange juice, garlic, ginger, and chili paste. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 3–5 minutes.
- Glaze the Chicken: Return the chicken to the skillet and toss with the sauce until well coated. Simmer for 2 more minutes.
- Make Yum Yum Sauce: In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire, seasoned salt, and cayenne until smooth. Chill if desired.
- Assemble the Bowls: Add a scoop of rice to each bowl. Top with glazed chicken, cucumber, avocado, kimchi, wonton strips, and green onions. Drizzle with Yum Yum sauce and serve immediately.
Servings and timing
Servings: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Variations
- Protein Swap: Use shrimp, tofu, beef, or pork instead of chicken
- Grain Options: Try brown rice, cauliflower rice, or quinoa
- Vegetarian: Use tofu or tempeh and veggie broth in the glaze
- Spicy Lovers: Add extra chili paste or sliced jalapeños
- Low-Carb: Skip the rice and use shredded lettuce or cauliflower rice
- No Mayo: Replace with Greek yogurt for a lighter sauce
storage/reheating
Store each component separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat chicken and rice in the microwave or skillet with a splash of water. Yum Yum sauce and toppings are best served cold or at room temperature. These bowls are also delicious cold, making them great for grab-and-go meals.
FAQs
Can I make the chicken ahead of time?
Yes, the chicken can be cooked and glazed in advance. Store in the fridge and reheat before assembling.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce, and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
What rice works best?
Jasmine or basmati rice are ideal for texture and flavor, but any cooked rice will work.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, just heat it briefly in the glaze before serving.
Is Yum Yum sauce spicy?
It has a mild heat from cayenne. You can adjust it to your liking or leave it out.
Can I make the sauce ahead?
Absolutely. Yum Yum sauce lasts up to a week in the fridge.
How do I make it dairy-free?
The recipe is naturally dairy-free if you use mayo-based Yum Yum sauce.
What vegetables can I add?
Try shredded carrots, edamame, spinach, bell peppers, or pickled radish.
Can I serve this cold?
Yes, it’s great cold or at room temperature — perfect for packed lunches.
Is this good for meal prep?
Definitely! Assemble in containers and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Conclusion
Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls are the ultimate customizable meal. Packed with glazed chicken, fresh veggies, fluffy rice, and drizzled in a crave-worthy sauce, they strike the perfect balance between convenience and flavor. Whether you’re cooking for the family or prepping lunches for the week, these bowls deliver every time.
Print
Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 bowls 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Halal
Description
A delicious and easy-to-make rice bowl loaded with flavorful chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy, tangy yum yum sauce — perfect for meal prep or quick dinners.
Ingredients
- 500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)
- For Yum Yum Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1–2 tbsp water (to thin, as needed)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, garlic powder, and ginger powder. Add diced chicken and marinate for 15-30 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and browned.
- While chicken cooks, prepare the yum yum sauce by whisking together mayonnaise, ketchup, rice vinegar, sugar, and garlic powder. Add water gradually until desired consistency is reached.
- To assemble bowls, divide cooked rice into 4 servings. Top with cooked chicken, shredded carrots, cabbage, avocado slices, and green onions.
- Drizzle with yum yum sauce and sprinkle sesame seeds on top if using. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked rice or microwaveable rice packs for quick assembly.
- Customize with your favorite veggies or a spicy mayo alternative.
- Great for meal prep—store components separately and assemble when ready to eat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg