Description
These Sweet & Spicy Sesame Chicken Meatball Bowls combine juicy, flavorful chicken meatballs with a vibrant ginger sesame sauce and crispy broccoli. Served over your choice of coconut or brown rice, this dish offers a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors, making it an ideal protein-packed, weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet and Spicy Ginger Sesame Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon red chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot starch (or cornstarch)
For the Meatballs
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 pound lean ground chicken (or ground turkey)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup panko or gluten free breadcrumbs
- 2 green onions, finely diced (about ¼ cup)
- ½ cup finely diced cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
For the Broccoli
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 3-4 cups broccoli florets
For Serving
- Coconut rice or brown rice
- Scallions
- Cilantro
- Chopped roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, sesame oil, sesame seeds, red chili paste, fresh grated ginger, minced garlic, brown sugar, and arrowroot (or cornstarch) until smooth and well combined.
- Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, finely diced green onions, cilantro, minced garlic, grated ginger, cayenne pepper, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Use clean hands to mix all ingredients thoroughly and form into 16 golf ball-sized meatballs.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil. Add the meatballs in batches without overcrowding, browning them on all sides. Cook until the meatballs are fully cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (about 10-12 minutes). Remove cooked meatballs and set aside on a plate while keeping the skillet hot.
- Cook the Broccoli: Wipe the skillet clean, then add 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil. Add the broccoli florets and cook, stirring frequently, for 6-8 minutes or until the broccoli is slightly tender but still crisp, developing some charred, golden, and crispy spots for extra flavor.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet with the broccoli. Pour the prepared sauce over the meatballs and broccoli. Lower the heat and simmer gently for 2-5 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the ingredients well.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs and broccoli mixture over cooked coconut rice or brown rice. Garnish with sliced scallions, fresh cilantro, and chopped roasted peanuts for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Delicious sesame chicken meatballs paired with crispy broccoli and a sweet, spicy ginger sesame sauce.
- Perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner.
- Can be customized with your favorite sides such as quinoa or different types of rice.
- Use gluten free breadcrumbs to make this dish gluten free.
- Adjust chili paste amount to control the spice level to your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (meatballs and broccoli only, excluding rice and garnishes)
- Calories: 309 kcal
- Sugar: 6.6 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 14.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18.3 g
- Fiber: 2.4 g
- Protein: 28.1 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
