This Citrus Chicken Rice Bowl with Ginger Jalapeño Sauce is a burst of sunny and refreshing flavors, perfect for a healthy, filling meal. Tender chicken marinated in orange juice, honey, and garlic sits on a bed of coconut rice, accompanied by a tangy and spicy ginger-jalapeño sauce. With a topping of fresh cucumber-mango salad, this dish combines tropical flavors with a little heat, making it an irresistible crowd-pleaser!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Citrus Chicken Bowl:

  • 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt

  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest

  • ½ cup + 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice (from 2 large oranges)

  • ⅔ cup + 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 cups diced English cucumber

  • 1 large mango, peeled, pitted, and diced (1 ½ cups)

  • 4 cups coconut rice, for serving

  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish

• For the Ginger Jalapeño Sauce:

  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil

  • 2 medium jalapeños, seeded and chopped

  • 1 large garlic clove, smashed

  • 1-inch piece of ginger, chopped

  • 3 scallions, trimmed

  • ¾ teaspoon granulated sugar

  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together honey, salt, pepper, orange zest, orange juice, and ⅔ cup vegetable oil. Add chicken and minced garlic. Toss until chicken is coated and marinate for 15 minutes or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.

2. Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in batches, flipping until fully cooked, with an internal temperature of 165°F (about 4-6 minutes per side). Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing into ½-inch thick strips.

3. Make the Ginger Jalapeño Sauce: In a blender, combine vegetable oil, jalapeños, garlic, ginger, scallions, sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth.

4. Prepare the Salad: In a small bowl, combine diced cucumber, mango, remaining marinade, and 1 tablespoon orange juice. Stir to combine.

5. Assemble the Bowls: Layer coconut rice in bowls, top with sliced chicken, cucumber-mango salad, and fresh cilantro. Drizzle with ginger-jalapeño sauce and serve.

Nutrients

• Calories: 807 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 79g

• Protein: 44g

• Fat: 47g

  • Saturated Fat: 6g

• Cholesterol: 0mg

• Sodium: 180mg

• Potassium: 476mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 15g

This citrus chicken rice bowl with ginger-jalapeño sauce brings a fresh, vibrant mix of flavors, from the tangy citrus chicken to the spicy sauce and refreshing salad. It’s a balanced, flavorful dish that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

Why Citrus Chicken Rice Bowl with Ginger Jalapeño Sauce is a Perfect Choice

This dish is perfect for anyone craving a healthy, satisfying, and flavorful meal. The combination of citrus marinated chicken, creamy coconut rice, and a spicy ginger-jalapeño sauce makes it not only delicious but also full of varied textures and flavors. The dish is both vibrant and refreshing, with the citrus providing a burst of brightness and the ginger-jalapeño sauce delivering the right amount of heat.

Moreover, this recipe is well-balanced in terms of nutrients. The chicken provides lean protein, the coconut rice adds healthy fats and fiber, and the cucumber-mango salad provides refreshing crunch. With its balanced mix of tropical flavors, spicy heat, and creamy textures, it’s an ideal choice for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.

Additionally, this dish offers flexibility: you can substitute different proteins, make it gluten-free, or adjust the spice levels to suit your preferences. It’s a versatile recipe that’s easy to customize for different tastes.

How to Make Citrus Chicken Rice Bowl with Ginger Jalapeño Sauce

This Citrus Chicken Rice Bowl with Ginger Jalapeño Sauce is simple to prepare, with just a few key steps. Let’s walk through how to make this vibrant dish:

Prepare the Chicken Marinade

Start by preparing the marinade for the chicken. In a large bowl, whisk together honey, kosher salt, black pepper, orange zest, orange juice, and vegetable oil. Add the minced garlic and mix everything well.

Place the chicken thighs in the marinade, tossing them to coat evenly. Allow the chicken to marinate for 15 minutes for a quick soak or refrigerate it for up to 2 hours to let the flavors develop further.

Cook the Chicken

Once the chicken has marinated, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet, flipping the pieces until they are fully cooked and have an internal temperature of 165°F (about 4-6 minutes per side). After cooking, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing it into ½-inch thick strips.

Make the Ginger Jalapeño Sauce

In the meantime, prepare the ginger-jalapeño sauce. In a blender, combine vegetable oil, jalapeños, garlic, ginger, scallions, granulated sugar, and sea salt. Blend everything until smooth. The sauce will be creamy, flavorful, and slightly spicy, which will pair wonderfully with the sweet citrus chicken.

Prepare the Cucumber-Mango Salad

For the refreshing salad, combine diced cucumber and mango in a small bowl. Add the remaining marinade and 1 tablespoon of orange juice to bring everything together. Stir gently to combine. The salad will add a burst of freshness and crunch, balancing the richness of the chicken and coconut rice.

Assemble the Bowls

Now, it’s time to assemble the bowls. Start by placing a layer of coconut rice in each bowl. Top the rice with sliced chicken, followed by a generous spoonful of the cucumber-mango salad. Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness and a pop of color.

Finally, drizzle the ginger-jalapeño sauce over the top of the bowl, adding a perfect spicy kick to each bite.

Serve and Enjoy

Serve the bowls immediately, enjoying the vibrant and balanced flavors in every bite. The combination of creamy rice, tender chicken, tangy sauce, and crunchy salad will make each bite a delicious and satisfying experience.

Nutritional Information for Citrus Chicken Rice Bowl with Ginger Jalapeño Sauce

Each serving of this Citrus Chicken Rice Bowl contains approximately 807 calories, making it a hearty and filling meal. It provides 79 grams of carbohydrates, primarily from the coconut rice and the vegetables. The dish also offers 44 grams of protein, largely from the chicken, which is great for supporting muscle growth and recovery.

The fat content is 47 grams, including 6 grams of saturated fat, from the coconut milk and the vegetable oil used in both the marinade and sauce. This makes the dish rich in healthy fats that contribute to its creamy texture and flavor.

The fiber content is moderate at 1 gram, with sugar coming to about 15 grams, mostly from the orange juice and mango in the salad.

The dish is also a good source of vitamin A (704 IU) from the mango and cilantro, and calcium (243 mg) from the coconut rice, providing some essential nutrients in addition to its rich flavor.

Serving Suggestions for Citrus Chicken Rice Bowl with Ginger Jalapeño Sauce

While this Citrus Chicken Rice Bowl is delicious on its own, you can pair it with various sides to round out the meal. Consider serving it with a light side salad, such as mixed greens with a lemon vinaigrette, to add extra freshness and a zesty contrast to the richness of the bowl.

For added protein, you could top the dish with a fried egg, which will add an extra layer of richness and complement the creamy coconut rice.

You can also serve it alongside roasted vegetables, such as sweet potatoes or brussels sprouts, for a more filling meal that packs in even more nutrients.

Customization and Variations

This recipe is highly customizable to suit your dietary needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a gluten-free version, simply ensure that your ingredients (such as soy sauce in the marinade) are gluten-free. For a vegan variation, swap the chicken for tofu or tempeh, and use a plant-based milk and vegan mayonnaise for the sauce.

Feel free to adjust the spice level by using more or fewer jalapeños in the sauce, or even substitute with sriracha or chili paste for a different flavor profile.

You can also swap the coconut rice for brown rice or quinoa for a healthier, high-protein base.

Conclusion

The Citrus Chicken Rice Bowl with Ginger Jalapeño Sauce is a flavorful, healthy, and filling meal that combines vibrant citrus, spicy heat, and fresh ingredients in one bowl. The juicy, marinated chicken, creamy coconut rice, and refreshing cucumber-mango salad come together with a zingy ginger-jalapeño sauce, offering a deliciously satisfying dish perfect for any occasion. With both gluten-free and vegan options, this versatile recipe can be customized to meet any dietary needs, making it an ideal meal for everyone to enjoy.