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Flavorful Asian Chicken Rice Bowls for Quick Weeknight Meals

Healthy Asian Chicken Rice Bowls

Sesame ginger–marinated and grilled chicken tops these healthy Asian chicken rice bowls, filled with oranges, almonds, edamame, crisp vegetables and bright flavors.

Sesame ginger marinated & grilled chicken tops these Healthy Asian Chicken Rice Bowls filled with oranges, almonds, veggies & tons of flavor!

I can’t get enough of the bowl trend — it’s a tasty, flexible way to eat well without relying on salads every day. These bowls were inspired by a Chino Citrus Salad I tried at a favorite local spot. The salad combines grilled chicken with bright orange slices, bean sprouts and a sesame-ginger dressing. I recreated that combination as a satisfying rice bowl with a few extra ingredients for texture and balance.

Prepared Healthy Asian Chicken Rice Bowl with sesame ginger chicken, oranges and almonds

To keep this bowl simple and reliable, I used a sesame soy ginger vinaigrette available at many stores to marinate the chicken and to dress the finished bowls. If you need the dish to be gluten-free, make the vinaigrette at home using gluten-free soy sauce. The home version is included below and is easy to blend in minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 2 chicken breasts (about 1 lb total)
  • ¼ cup sesame soy ginger dressing, plus extra for drizzling (use homemade vinaigrette below to make gluten-free)
  • 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown) or quinoa
  • ½ cup shelled edamame
  • 1 cup orange slices
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds
  • 1 avocado, sliced

Grilled sesame ginger chicken sliced atop rice and vegetables

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Place the chicken breasts in a medium bowl or resealable bag and pour ¼ cup of the sesame soy ginger dressing over them. Turn to coat. Marinate at room temperature for at least 10 minutes, or refrigerate up to a few hours for more flavor.
  2. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard or reserve a small amount of dressing for finishing the bowls. Grill the chicken over medium heat until cooked through, about 10–12 minutes per side depending on thickness. Alternatively, cook on an indoor grill plate or a grill pan over medium heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  3. Let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes after cooking, then slice thinly against the grain.
  4. Divide the cooked rice or quinoa between two bowls, about 1 cup per bowl.
  5. Top each bowl with one sliced chicken breast, then arrange the edamame, orange slices, shredded carrots, bean sprouts, cilantro, sliced almonds and avocado on top.
  6. Drizzle additional sesame soy ginger dressing over each bowl to taste and serve immediately.

Close-up of Healthy Asian Chicken Rice Bowl with oranges and almonds

Notes and Tips

  • Make it gluten-free: Use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari when making the dressing below. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always check labels on pre-made dressings.
  • Vegetarian option: Swap grilled chicken for grilled tofu or roasted sweet potato cubes and use the same marinade or dressing.
  • Prep ahead: Cook the rice and roast or grill the chicken ahead of time and store separately. Assemble bowls when ready to serve for a quick weeknight meal.
  • Toasting almonds: Lightly toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until fragrant for added crunch.

To Make a Gluten-Free Soy Ginger Vinaigrette

Combine the following ingredients in a blender or whisk vigorously until emulsified:

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Adjust salt, honey or vinegar to taste. Use part of the vinaigrette to marinate the chicken and reserve extra for drizzling over the bowls.

Finished Healthy Asian Chicken Rice Bowl ready to eat

Servings, Time & Author

Servings: 2 bowls

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Marinating time: 10 minutes | Total time: ~40 minutes

Author: Whitney Bond

Nutrition (Approximate per serving)

  • Calories: 997 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 83 g
  • Protein: 66 g
  • Fat: 46 g
  • Fiber: 17 g
  • Sodium: 634 mg
  • Vitamin C and Vitamin A: high (from oranges, carrots and cilantro)

More Bowl Recipes to Try

  • Vegan Burrito Bowl
  • Korean BBQ Cauliflower Rice Bowl
  • Gluten-Free Kung Pao Beef & Noodle Bowl
  • Thai Beef Noodle Bowl
  • Chimichurri Chicken Zoodle Bowls

Healthy Asian Chicken Rice Bowl with avocado and almonds

If you love bowls, this recipe is a simple template: swap grains, change the protein, or add crunchy toppings to suit your taste. Enjoy a bright, balanced meal with savory sesame-ginger chicken, juicy citrus and plenty of fresh texture.