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High Protein Honey Sesame Chicken Bowl Meal Prep

By Adeline Parker

Published •

Honey Sesame Chicken Bowl

I cant get enough of the glossy honey sesame sauce clinging to tender chicken cubes. It brings perfect sweet heat and savory depth to every Honey Sesame Chicken Bowl. Crisp broccoli and snap peas add vibrant color and crunch. Fluffy rice soaks it all up. Bold Asian flavors make it shine. Best part? It comes together under 40 minutes. One-pan cooking means easy cleanup too.

This meal prep star reheats beautifully all week. Textures stay intact for grab-and-go lunches. Lean chicken breasts pack a high-protein punch. Each bowl delivers about 35 grams to fuel busy days. As a mom juggling work and kids, I love how it fits health goals. Yet it tastes like restaurant takeout.

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Quick Assembly: I whip up four meal prep bowls in 40 minutes. Perfect for my Sunday planning.
  • Balanced Nutrition: About 35 grams protein per serving from lean chicken. It supports my muscle goals easily.
  • Flavor Explosion: Honey sesame sauce delivers sweet-savory umami. Red pepper flakes add just-right heat.
  • Veggie-Packed: Broccoli and snap peas boost fiber and vitamins. They dont overpower the fun flavors.

Ingredients to Make Honey Sesame Chicken Bowl

Few simple ingredients build sweet, savory, and crisp layers. They make this Honey Sesame Chicken Bowl so satisfying. Lean chicken breasts provide the protein punch. Each serving hits roughly 35 grams. Fiber-rich veggies round it out perfectly.

  • Uncooked rice Forms the fluffy base. It soaks up that glossy sauce beautifully.
  • Olive oil I use it for sauting. Adds healthy fats and stops sticking.
  • Broccoli florets Chopped for tender-crisp bite. Packs in vitamins too.
  • Snap peas Trim the ends first. They bring fresh crunch and sweetness.
  • Chicken breasts Cube into 1-inch pieces. Theyre the high-protein hero here.
  • Salt and black pepper Seasons simply. Enhances all the natural flavors.
  • Sesame seeds Garnish with them. Adds nutty finish and pretty appeal.
  • Chicken stock Thins the sauce nicely. Water swaps in a pinch.
  • Reduced-sodium soy sauce Gives savory umami base. Keeps sodium in check.
  • Honey Sweetens naturally. Maple syrup works for sugar-free days.
  • Sesame oil Infuses toasty aroma. Its the signature touch.
  • Red pepper flakes Brings adjustable heat. Start small if kids eat too.
  • Cornstarch Thickens to glossy perfection. No watery sauce here.

How to Make Honey Sesame Chicken Bowl

Step 1: Prepare the honey sesame sauce

I start with the sauce. Grab a small bowl or jar. Add ¼ cup chicken stock or water. Stir in ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce. Mix ¼ cup honey or maple syrup next. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Whisk in 1 teaspoon cornstarch. Shake or stir vigorously. Ensure it blends smooth. Set aside now.

Step 2: Cook the rice

Next, cook the rice. Use ¾ cup uncooked rice. Follow package directions closely. It makes fluffy base for four bowls. When done, divide evenly. Spoon into meal prep containers. Builds the perfect foundation.

Step 3: Sauté the vegetables

Now heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Use a large pan on medium-high. Add 3 cups chopped broccoli florets. Toss in 3 cups trimmed snap peas. Sauté 5-7 minutes. They turn vibrant green. Stay tender-crisp. Transfer to rice containers. Layers nicely.

Step 4: Cook the chicken

Keep the same pan hot. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Drop in 2 large chicken breasts cubed. Season with salt and pepper. Add extra red pepper flakes if spicier. Stir often. Cook 7-10 minutes. Until browned and cooked through fully.

Step 5: Combine with sauce and assemble

Pour sauce over chicken now. Bring to simmer gently. Cook 2 minutes. Sauce thickens glossy. Divide chicken into containers. Drizzle extra sauce on veggies and rice. Sprinkle sesame seeds. Seal for fridge or eat.

Pro Tips for Success

  • Sauce Mastery: Whisk cornstarch into liquids first. Avoids lumps. Gets silky thickness every time.
  • Veggie Crispness: Sauté just until tender-crisp. Keeps bright color and bite. No mushy sadness.
  • Protein Boost: Swap honey for maple syrup. Monitors blood sugar better. Still deliciously sweet.
  • Even Cooking: Uniform 1-inch chicken cubes. Browns consistently. No dry edges here.

How to Serve Honey Sesame Chicken Bowl

Garnishes

I love finishing these bowls generously. Sprinkle sesame seeds for nutty crunch. Add thinly sliced green onions. They bring fresh pop. Chopped cilantro brightens the rich sauce too.

Side Dishes

Pair with simple cucumber salad. Dress in rice vinegar for cool contrast. Or add edamame. Boosts protein without overwhelming flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Layer in wide-mouth glass containers. Show off colorful veggies over rice. Or use bento boxes. Perfect for portable office lunches. Stays visually appealing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store assembled bowls in glass containers. Single layer works best. Fridge keeps them fresh 4 days. Sauce stays glossy. Veggies keep snap.

Freezing

Portion cooled bowls into freezer bags. Flatten for space saving. Freeze up to 2 months. Rice holds well if not overcooked first.

Reheating

Thaw overnight in fridge. Then microwave covered 2-3 minutes. Or bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Wrap in foil. Restores tenderness. Chicken stays juicy. Ready for another Honey Sesame Chicken Bowl win.

Print
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High Protein Honey Sesame Chicken Bowl Meal Prep

  • Author: Adeline Parker
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 bowls
  • Category: Meal Prep
  • Method: Stir-fry
  • Cuisine: Asian
  • Diet: Low Calorie

Description

High Protein Honey Sesame Chicken Bowl Meal Prep featuring tender chicken cubes in a sweet and savory honey sesame sauce, served over rice with sautéed broccoli and snap peas.


Ingredients

  • ¾ cup uncooked rice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 3 cups broccoli florets, chopped
  • 3 cups snap peas, ends trimmed
  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish
  • ¼ cup chicken stock or water
  • ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup honey (or maple syrup)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch


Instructions

  1. Prepare the honey sesame sauce: In a small bowl or jar, combine the chicken stock (or water), soy sauce, honey (or maple syrup), sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch. Whisk or shake vigorously until well combined. Set aside.
  2. Cook the rice: Follow the package instructions to cook your chosen rice. Once cooked, divide it evenly among four meal prep containers.
  3. Sauté the vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped broccoli and trimmed snap peas. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are vibrant green and tender-crisp. Transfer the cooked vegetables to the meal prep containers with the rice.
  4. Cook the chicken: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same pan. Add the cubed chicken to the pan and season with salt and pepper (and extra red pepper flakes if you like). Cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked through and lightly browned.
  5. Combine with sauce: Pour the prepared honey sesame sauce into the pan with the cooked chicken. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  6. Assemble the bowls: Divide the sauced chicken among the meal prep containers. Drizzle any remaining sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving or sealing for later.

Notes

    Categorized in:

    Chicken Recipes
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