Ground Chicken Rice Bowl That’ll Make You Forget About Takeout Forever
You know that moment when you’re staring into your fridge like it holds the secrets of the universe, but all you see is random ingredients that definitely don’t add up to dinner? Enter the ground chicken rice bowl—your new best friend that transforms basic pantry staples into something that tastes like you actually know what you’re doing in the kitchen. It’s basically a hug in a bowl, except it won’t judge you for eating it in your pajamas.
Why This Recipe is Awesome
This recipe is basically adulting made easy. One pan, minimal cleanup, and maximum flavor—what more could your lazy-but-hungry soul want? Ground chicken cooks faster than you can decide what to watch on Netflix, and rice bowls are basically ust deconstructed burritos that make you feel sophisticated.
The beauty of this dish is that it’s completely customizable without being overwhelming. Got vegetables that are about to go bad? Throw them in. Found some random sauce in your fridge? Probably works. It’s like cooking with training wheels, except the training wheels are actually just common sense and good seasoning.
Plus, it’s meal prep gold. Make a big batch, portion it out, and suddenly you’re that person who has their life together and brings actual good lunches to work. Your coworkers will think you’ve hired a personal chef when really you just learned to brown meat and cook rice like a functional human being.
Ground Chicken Rice Bowl That’ll Make You Forget About Takeout Forever
Course: Lunch, DinnerCuisine: AsianDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes15
minutes420
kcal25
minutesEnjoy this easy Ground Chicken Rice Bowl packed with flavor and protein. Juicy chicken, savory seasonings, and steamed rice come together for a wholesome, satisfying meal ready in minutes – ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep!
Ingredients
1 lb ground chicken breast
2 cups cooked rice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sriracha
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Salt and pepper to taste
Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Directions
- Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and cook 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and bell pepper, cook 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add ground chicken, break up and cook 5-7 minutes until fully cooked.
- Add frozen vegetables, cook 3-4 minutes until heated through.
- Mix soy sauce, sriracha, sesame oil, and ginger in small bowl.
- Pour sauce over chicken mixture, stir to combine.
- Add cooked rice, mix until heated through and well combined.
- Serve topped with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- For extra flavor, top your bowl with fresh herbs, a drizzle of soy sauce, or a soft-boiled egg. Perfect for customizing with your favorite veggies!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Cooking the chicken on too high heat. Ground chicken can go from perfectly cooked to rubber bullets pretty quickly. Medium-high heat is your sweet spot—hot enough to get a good sear but not so hot that you’re playing chicken roulette.
Forgetting to season as you go. Don’t dump all your seasoning at the end and hope for the best. Season the onions, season the chicken, taste the sauce—build those flavors layer by layer like you actually know what you’re doing.
Using cold rice straight from the fridge. Cold rice clumps up and doesn’t mix well with everything else. Let it come to room temperature or give it a quick zap in the microwave to loosen it up.
Overcooking the vegetables. Nobody wants mushy vegetables in their rice bowl. The frozen vegetables should still have some bite to them when you’re done.
Alternatives & Substitutions
No ground chicken? Ground turkey works great, or you could use ground beef if you want something richer. Ground pork makes this taste almost like fried rice’s cooler cousin.
Don’t have sesame oil? It’s not the end of the world, but it really does add that authentic Asian flavor. A tiny bit of tahini mixed with oil works as a substitute, or just skip it and add more soy sauce.
Want to make it vegetarian? Swap the chicken for crumbled firm tofu or extra vegetables. Mushrooms add great umami flavor and make it feel substantial without meat.
Rice situation not ideal? Cauliflower rice works if you’re doing the low-carb thing, or quinoa if you want to feel extra healthy. Even pasta works—sometimes rules are meant to be broken.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I meal prep this?
Absolutely! It keeps in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheats beautifully. Just store the toppings separately so they stay fresh and crunchy.
Is this actually healthy?
It’s got lean protein, vegetables, and whole grains, so yeah, it’s pretty nutritious. Way better than whatever frozen dinner you were considering.
Can I make this less spicy?
Of course! Use less sriracha or skip it entirely. You could add a touch of honey or brown sugar to the sauce for sweetness instead.
What if I don’t have soy sauce?
Tamari works if you’re gluten-free, or you could use Worcestershire sauce for a different but still delicious flavor profile.
Can I add eggs?
Yes! Scrambled eggs mixed in make this feel like fried rice, or top with a fried egg for extra richness.
How do I keep the rice from getting mushy?
Don’t overcook it, and if you’re using fresh rice, let it cool slightly before adding it to the pan. Day-old rice actually works better for this recipe.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—a ground chicken rice bowl that’s going to become your new go-to when you want something tasty but don’t want to think too hard about it. It’s comfort food that happens to be relatively healthy, and it tastes way better than anything you’d order for delivery.
The best part about this recipe is how forgiving it is. Forgot to add something? Throw it in next time. Want to try different vegetables? Go for it. Cooking should be fun, not stressful, and this recipe gets that.
Now go make this and enjoy having a dinner that actually tastes good and makes you feel like a functional adult. Your future self will thank you, especially when you’re eating amazing leftovers while everyone else is microwaving sad frozen meals.
