Delicious & Easy Food Recipes for Lunch: Honey Sesame Chicken Bowls

Looking for exciting and easy Food Recipes For Lunch? These Honey Sesame Chicken Lunch Bowls are your answer! Packed with tender chicken breast, fluffy rice, and crisp veggies, all tossed in a mouthwatering sticky honey sesame sauce, they’re perfect for anyone wanting a healthy and delicious meal prep option for their midday break. Stir-fries are an excellent choice when it comes to preparing meals in advance because they hold up beautifully in the fridge and reheat wonderfully, making your lunch routine a breeze.

This recipe isn’t just any stir-fry; it’s become incredibly popular, even going viral as one of the first meal prep recipes to capture widespread attention! It’s easy to see why. The combination of flavors and textures is simply irresistible, and the convenience for meal prepping is a game-changer for busy weekdays.

Why These Honey Sesame Chicken Lunch Bowls are Perfect Food Recipes for Lunch

These bowls aren’t just tasty; they’re designed to make your lunch prep easier and more enjoyable throughout the week. Here’s why you’ll absolutely love incorporating them into your food recipes for lunch rotation:

They Taste Amazing, Even Days Later: No more sacrificing flavor for convenience. These bowls are delicious even on day four, maintaining their savory-sweet goodness.
Perfect for Fridge or Freezer: Whether you need lunches for the week ahead or want to stock up for future meals, these bowls store perfectly in the refrigerator or freezer.
Incredibly Versatile & Customizable: Don’t be afraid to get creative! You can easily swap out ingredients to suit your preferences and dietary needs, while still ending up with a fantastic lunch.

Recipe Video

Watch the quick video below to see just how simple it is to prepare these fantastic meal prep bowls. You’ll be amazed at how easily they come together! For more recipe inspiration and visual guides, be sure to visit my YouTube channel where you’ll find a wealth of food recipes for lunch and beyond.

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The Secret is in the Sauce: Honey Sesame Magic

When it comes to stir-fries, the sauce is undeniably the star of the show, especially if you’re passionate about flavor! This honey sesame sauce is incredibly easy to whip up – just about 5 minutes to shake everything together. It uses simple pantry staples that you likely already have:

Honey: The obvious star! Its sweetness is key to the dish. If you’re out, maple syrup makes a great substitute and will still provide a lovely flavor.
Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce: Opt for the low sodium version. Regular soy sauce can make the sauce too salty and overpower the other flavors.
Water or Chicken Stock: Water works perfectly fine, but for an extra layer of flavor and nutrients, chicken stock is a fantastic choice. For a real boost, consider making your own homemade bone broth!
Sesame Oil: Toasted or regular sesame oil both work well, adding that signature nutty sesame flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes: Just a pinch adds a delightful little kick. If you’re making this for kids or prefer milder flavors, simply leave them out.
Cornstarch: This thickens the sauce to that perfect sticky consistency. Arrowroot powder is a great alternative if you prefer.

Want to explore more flavor profiles? Discover SEVEN different easy stir-fry sauces that you can prepare ahead of time to mix and match with your favorite ingredients!

Building the Perfect Lunch Bowl: The Stir-Fry Foundation

To ensure cooking is as smooth as possible, it’s highly recommended to have all your vegetables and chicken pre-chopped, and your sauce pre-mixed and ready to go. This way, you can focus on the cooking process without any interruptions, making your food recipes for lunch prep efficient and enjoyable.

Here’s what you’ll need for the stir-fry portion of these lunch bowls:

Veggies: Aim for 4-6 cups of your favorite stir-fry vegetables. Broccoli and snap peas are used in this recipe, but the beauty of stir-fries is their versatility. Feel free to use almost any vegetables you enjoy.
Protein: You’ll need 1 lb of boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 2 large breasts), cut into bite-sized 1-inch pieces.
Carbs: Basmati rice is a great choice for these bowls. It has a lower glycemic index compared to regular white rice, meaning it digests more slowly and helps keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer, making it ideal for food recipes for lunch.

Customize Your Food Recipes for Lunch: Easy Ingredient Swaps

One of the best things about stir-fries is their incredible adaptability. You can easily change the sauce, protein, veggies, and carbs to create a wide variety of meals. This makes it easy to keep your food recipes for lunch exciting and prevent meal prep fatigue.

Here are some delicious swap ideas to get you started:

Carbs: Swap rice for other grains like quinoa, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.
Sauce: If you’re in the mood for something different, try this flavorful maple ginger stir-fry sauce or go classic with a teriyaki sauce.
Protein: Chicken breast can be swapped for chicken thighs for a richer flavor, or go vegetarian with firm tofu. Shrimp or beef are also excellent protein choices.
Veggies: Get creative and use whatever vegetables you have on hand! Carrots, bell peppers, squash, or even a pre-made slaw mix are all fantastic options. Just remember that cooking times may vary depending on the vegetables you choose, so keep an eye on them as they cook.

Looking for More Food Recipes for Lunch?

This recipe was originally published in 2016 and updated with new photos and tips in 2019, ensuring you always get the best version of this amazing dish!

Did you make this recipe? Share your creations! Tag me on social media @sweetpeasandsaffron and don’t forget to leave a comment and rate the recipe! Your feedback helps others discover great food recipes for lunch!

These Honey Sesame Chicken Lunch Bowls feature juicy chicken breast, nutritious broccoli and snap peas, all beautifully coated in a sweet and savory honey sesame stir-fry sauce. They are truly the perfect solution for healthy and convenient meal prep lunches!

Ingredients

Honey Sesame Sauce:

¼ cup chicken stock or water
¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
¼ cup honey (or maple syrup)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon cornstarch

Chicken Lunch Bowls:

¾ cup rice (uncooked; or roughly 2 cups cooked)
2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
3 cups broccoli (chopped into small pieces)
3 cups snap peas (ends trimmed)
2 large chicken breasts (cut into 1 inch cubes)
Salt & pepper to taste
Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Sauce: In a jar or small container, shake together all honey sesame sauce ingredients until well combined. Set aside.
Cook the Rice: Cook rice according to package instructions. Once cooked, divide it evenly between 4 meal prep storage containers.
Sauté the Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chopped broccoli and snap peas. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are bright green and tender-crisp. Add the cooked vegetables to the rice in the storage containers.
Cook the Chicken: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same pan. Add the cubed chicken to the pan and season with salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Cook for 7-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.
Combine and Thicken Sauce: Pour the prepared honey sesame sauce into the pan with the cooked chicken. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken beautifully.
Assemble the Bowls: Divide the honey sesame chicken evenly among the lunch containers, placing it on top of the rice and vegetables. Drizzle any remaining sauce over the bowls. Garnish with sesame seeds, if desired.
Store and Reheat: Allow the lunch bowls to cool slightly before sealing the containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave until heated through before serving.

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Tips:

Lighten it Up: To reduce calories, try halving the amount of honey sesame sauce used or swap out a portion of the rice for cauliflower rice. This keeps the flavor while making it even healthier.

Video

[Link to Recipe Video – already included above]

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 bowl, Calories: 483kcal, Carbohydrates: 58g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 716mg, Potassium: 881mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 22g, Vitamin A: 1333IU, Vitamin C: 106mg, Calcium: 84mg, Iron: 3mg

Author: Denise Bustard

Course: Lunch

Cuisine: Chinese

© Sweet Peas & Saffron – Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.