Chicken Sweet Chili Poke Bowl
Why this recipe works
- Fast bowl assembly: The rice steams while the chicken cooks, so the main components come together efficiently in about 30 minutes.
- Bright, sticky glaze: Lime juice cuts through the sweetness of the chilli sauce and keeps the soy-based glaze lively rather than heavy.
- Fresh contrast: Warm glazed chicken and soft sushi rice are balanced by crisp cucumber, creamy avocado, sesame seeds and shredded nori.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Let the rice stand: Keeping the rice covered off the heat helps it finish steaming and gives it the softer, slightly sticky texture needed for a bowl.
- Assemble just before serving: Add avocado, cucumber, spring onion, sesame and nori at the end so the toppings stay fresh and the nori keeps its texture.
Ingredient notes
- Choose firm-ripe avocado: The avocado should be ripe enough to taste creamy but firm enough to slice cleanly and hold its shape in the bowl.
- Shred the nori finely: Cutting the nori into thin strips makes it easier to scatter evenly and gives every bite a little savoury seaweed flavour.
Make-ahead tips
- Keep cooked and fresh elements apart: Store the rice and chicken separately from the avocado, cucumber, spring onion, sesame seeds and nori, then assemble after reheating.
- Reheat before topping: Warm the rice and chicken until piping hot, then add the fresh toppings so the bowl keeps its contrast of temperatures and textures.
Adjust the heat
- For less heat: Use a milder sweet chilli sauce or swap to sweet-and-sour sauce for a tangier, less spicy glaze.
- For more heat: Add a hotter chilli sauce at the end of cooking, adjusting gradually so the glaze stays balanced.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Tip into a saucepan with the water, bring to the boil, then cover and cook on the lowest heat for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat, add the chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Lower the heat to medium.
- Add the sweet chilli sauce and soy sauce to the pan and stir to coat. Squeeze in the lime juice, then simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until sticky and glossy, turning the chicken so it is evenly glazed. Take off the heat.
- Thinly slice the cucumber and slice the avocado. Finely slice the spring onions and shred the nori into thin strips with scissors. Fluff the rice and divide between two bowls.
- Top each bowl with the sweet chilli chicken, cucumber and avocado. Finish with spring onion, roasted sesame seeds and nori, then serve. Offer extra lime at the table if you like it sharper.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Add the lime juice after the chicken is cooked so the sauce stays bright and the chicken remains tender.
- If the glaze reduces too fast, loosen it with a splash of water and simmer briefly until it clings to the chicken.
- If serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, ensure the chicken is cooked until piping hot all the way through.
Substitutions
- Replace lime with lemon for a similar citrus lift with a slightly rounder flavour.
- Replace sweet chili sauce with sweet-and-sour sauce for a tangier, less spicy coating.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Store rice and chicken separately in airtight containers. Reheat rice and chicken in the microwave until piping hot, then add avocado, cucumber, spring onion, sesame seeds and nori fresh just before serving.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 bowls
- Total time: 30min (25min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Fusion
-
Allergens:
Sesame Soybeans
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife
- AUS-10 steel
- Balanced design
- Less traditional feel
Titanium & PP Double-Sided Cutting Board
- Separate surfaces for meat and produce
- Resists odors and stains
- Harder on knife edges than wood or plastic
All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan 12 Inch
- Top-tier build quality
- Excellent heat distribution
- Expensive
OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
- Two useful sizes with reversible cutting surfaces
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
- Plastic surfaces will show knife marks over time
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.























