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High Protein Spicy Korean Chicken Bowls - Bold Flavor, Simple Meal Prep

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken: 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • Rice: 2 cups cooked white or brown rice (or quinoa/cauliflower rice)
  • Gochujang: 3 tablespoons Korean red chili paste
  • Soy sauce or tamari: 3 tablespoons
  • Rice vinegar: 1 to 2 tablespoons
  • Honey or maple syrup: 1 to 2 tablespoons
  • Sesame oil: 1 tablespoon
  • Garlic: 3 to 4 cloves, minced
  • Fresh ginger: 1 tablespoon, grated
  • Gochugaru (optional): 1 teaspoon for extra heat
  • Vegetables: 1 cup shredded carrots, 1 cup cucumber (thinly sliced), 1 cup shredded red cabbage, 1 cup steamed broccoli
  • Green onions: 3, sliced
  • Sesame seeds: For topping
  • Lime or lemon: For a squeeze of brightness
  • Neutral oil: Avocado or canola for cooking
  • Optional add-ins: Kimchi, pickled radish, fried or jammy egg, nori strips

Method
 

  1. Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken dry and cut into bite-size pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper. This helps it brown well and stay juicy.
  2. Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Taste and adjust. Add gochugaru if you want extra heat.
  3. Cook the rice: Make your base according to package directions. Fluff and keep warm. Leftover rice works great here too.
  4. Stir-fry the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high with a drizzle of oil. Add chicken in a single layer. Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
  5. Sauce it up: Lower heat to medium. Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss to coat. Simmer 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to the chicken.
  6. Prep the veggies: While the chicken cooks, slice cucumbers, shred carrots and cabbage, and steam broccoli until just tender. Keep the veggies crisp for texture.
  7. Assemble the bowls: Add a scoop of rice, top with spicy chicken, then add your veggies. Finish with green onions, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lime. Add kimchi for a punchy, fermented kick.
  8. Optional egg: For extra protein, top each bowl with a fried egg or jammy soft-boiled egg.