Sweet & Spicy Sesame Chicken Meatball Bowls

Sweet & Spicy Sesame Chicken Meatball Bowls are a delightful fusion of flavors, combining juicy chicken meatballs with crispy broccoli, all coated in a sweet and spicy ginger sesame sauce. This one-pan meal is perfect for weeknight dinners and is easily customizable with your favorite grains and garnishes. It's a crowd-pleaser that strikes the perfect balance between savory, sweet, and just a little bit of heat, making it a new favorite for both adults and kids.

Ingredients

For the Sweet & 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 Chicken Meatballs

• 1 pound lean ground chicken (or ground turkey)

• 1 egg

• ½ cup panko or gluten-free breadcrumbs

• 2 green onions, finely diced

• 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

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil (for cooking)
  
  

For the Broccoli

• 3–4 cups broccoli florets

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  
  

For Serving

• Coconut rice or brown rice

• Chopped scallions

• Fresh cilantro

• Chopped roasted peanuts
  
  

Instructions

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, sesame oil, sesame seeds, red chili paste, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, and arrowroot starch until well combined. Set aside.

2. Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, green onions, cilantro, garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined. Form the mixture into 16 golf ball-sized meatballs.

3. Cook the Meatballs: Heat 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F), about 10–12 minutes. Remove meatballs from the skillet and set aside.

4. Cook the Broccoli: In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of toasted sesame oil. Add broccoli florets and cook, stirring frequently, until slightly tender and charred in spots, about 6–8 minutes.

5. Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet with the broccoli. Pour the prepared sauce over the top and stir to coat. Reduce heat to low and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2–5 minutes.

6. Serve: Spoon the meatballs and broccoli over bowls of coconut or brown rice. Garnish with chopped scallions, fresh cilantro, and chopped roasted peanuts.
   
   

Serving Suggestions

This dish is incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of sides:

• Grains: Serve with coconut rice, brown rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter, low-carb option.

• Noodles: Pair with rice noodles or zucchini noodles for a different texture.

• Vegetables: Add or swap in veggies like bell peppers, snap peas, or green beans to vary the flavors and colors.
  
  

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 309 kcal

• Protein: 28g

• Carbohydrates: 18g

• Fat: 14g
  
  

Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on the exact brands and measurements used.