Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls with Yum Yum Sauce – A Bold, Flavor-Packed Meal in Every Bite
If you’re a fan of vibrant, bold flavors and love building meals that hit every note—sweet, spicy, savory, and creamy—then you need this Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Bowl in your life. It’s the perfect blend of sticky glazed chicken, crisp veggies, fluffy rice, and a dreamy drizzle of homemade yum yum sauce. Think of it as your favorite Asian-fusion takeout, but way better and made right in your kitchen.
Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or impressing friends, this recipe is a full sensory experience—from the sticky glaze to the creamy sauce and crunchy toppings.
🥢 Why You’ll Love This Bowl
- Sweet, spicy, and savory flavor layers
- Balanced textures – tender chicken, creamy avocado, crispy wontons, and fresh cucumbers
- Totally customizable – swap out toppings or make it vegetarian with tofu
- Meal prep-friendly – everything can be made ahead and assembled fresh
🛒 Ingredients Breakdown
For the Chicken:
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tbsp + ⅓ cup tamari or soy sauce, divided
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- ¼ cup honey
- 2–3 tbsp chili paste (like gochujang or sambal oelek)
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1–2 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder (optional, for light crispiness)
For the Yum Yum Sauce:
- ⅓ cup olive oil mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
For the Bowl Assembly:
- 3–4 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine)
- Sliced cucumber
- Sliced avocado
- Kimchi
- Fried wontons or crispy noodles
🔥 How to Make It
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) so it’s nice and hot for a perfect roast.
Step 2: Prep and Bake the Chicken
On a baking sheet, toss the chicken with 1 tbsp tamari, 1 tbsp orange juice, and black pepper. If you want a crispier finish, lightly dust with cornstarch or arrowroot. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together:
- ⅓ cup tamari
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- ¼ cup honey
- Chili paste
- Garlic
- Ginger
This mixture is the heart of the flavor—sweet, spicy, and garlicky!
Step 4: Glaze and Finish the Chicken
After 15 minutes, remove the chicken and pour 2/3 of the sauce over it. Toss to coat evenly, then return to the oven for another 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly caramelized.
For that charred, sticky finish, broil the chicken for 1–2 minutes at the end. Drizzle remaining sauce after removing from the oven if desired.
🥣 Make the Yum Yum Sauce
In a small bowl, combine:
- Mayo
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire
- Seasoned salt
- Cayenne pepper
Stir until smooth and taste-test. Add more cayenne for heat or a pinch of sugar for balance. This sauce is creamy, tangy, and brings everything together!
🥗 Assemble Your Bowls
Now the fun part—building your bowl:
- Start with a base of cooked rice.
- Add sliced honey garlic chicken.
- Top with sliced cucumbers, avocado, a spoonful of kimchi, and crispy fried wontons.
- Drizzle with a generous helping of yum yum sauce.
- Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, or fresh cilantro if desired.
👨🍳 Pro Tips
- Make it vegetarian: Sub tofu for chicken and use the same marinade and glaze method.
- Use leftover rice: Day-old rice works beautifully for bowls.
- Make ahead: The sauce and chicken can be prepared up to 2 days in advance.
- Add crunch: Toss in shredded carrots, red cabbage, or radish slices for extra color and texture.
📷 A Bowl That Deserves a Photo
From the glossy chicken and creamy avocado to the colorful kimchi and drizzled sauce, this bowl looks as good as it tastes. Perfect for your food blog or Instagram feed—don’t forget that overhead shot!
📌 Save This Flavor Bomb
This Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Bowl with Yum Yum Sauce will quickly become a favorite for anyone who loves bold flavors and crave-worthy textures. Save, share, and repeat!