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Easy Honey Sesame Chicken Meal Prep Bowls for 5 Perfect Lunches

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A quick and easy meal prep recipe featuring juicy chicken thighs coated in a crispy honey sesame glaze, served with steamed broccoli, shredded carrots, and fluffy jasmine rice. Perfect for healthy, flavorful lunches throughout the workweek.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or avocado oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes or sriracha (optional)
  • 3 cups cooked jasmine or basmati rice (about 1 cup uncooked)
  • 2 cups steamed broccoli florets
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Place cornstarch in a large bowl and toss the chicken pieces until fully coated. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  3. Rinse 1 cup jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. Cook rice with 1.25 cups water by simmering for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and keep warm.
  4. Cut fresh broccoli into bite-sized florets and steam over boiling water for 4-5 minutes until bright green and tender. Alternatively, microwave frozen broccoli for 2-3 minutes.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and chili flakes if using. Set aside.
  6. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces in a single layer and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  7. Lower heat to medium. Pour the honey sesame sauce into the skillet and simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened and bubbly.
  8. Return chicken to the pan and toss to coat evenly. Cook for another minute to let the sauce adhere.
  9. Divide cooked rice evenly among 5 meal prep containers. Top with steamed broccoli, shredded carrots, and honey sesame chicken.
  10. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over each bowl for garnish.
  11. Let the bowls cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating. Store up to 5 days.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before coating with cornstarch for best crispiness. Cook chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. If sauce is too thin, thicken with a cornstarch slurry. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control saltiness. Can substitute chicken breasts but watch cooking time to avoid dryness. For vegan option, replace chicken with tofu or tempeh and honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey sesame chicken, meal prep, healthy lunch, easy dinner, chicken thighs, honey sauce, sesame seeds, quick recipe

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/easy-honey-sesame-chicken-meal-prep-bowls-for-5-perfect-lunches/