Sesame Chicken Meatball Bowls

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Sweet & Spicy Sesame Chicken Meatball Bowls – A 40-Minute Weeknight Winner!

Juicy, flavor-packed sesame chicken meatballs coated in a sweet and spicy ginger sesame sauce, paired with crispy charred broccoli, and served over fluffy rice—this is takeout-level deliciousness made at home! With big flavors, minimal effort, and just 40 minutes from start to finish, this is the kind of weeknight dinner you’ll crave over and over again. Bonus? You can customize it with your favorite grains and toppings for the ultimate bowl of comfort.

Fast, easy, ridiculously tasty—let’s cook!

Sweet & Spicy Sesame Chicken Meatball Bowls

A flavorful and protein-packed meal featuring tender sesame chicken meatballs, crispy broccoli, and a sweet and spicy ginger sesame sauce. Serve with coconut rice, brown rice, or quinoa for a delicious, well-balanced dinner.

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Keyword: Sweet & Spicy Sesame Chicken Meatball Bowls

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 310kcal

Ingredients

For the Sweet & Spicy Ginger Sesame Sauce:

• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup water
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp red chili paste (e.g., sambal oelek)
• 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
• 1 tsp arrowroot starch (or cornstarch)

For the Meatballs:

• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 lb lean ground chicken (or ground turkey)
• 1 egg
• ½ cup panko or gluten-free breadcrumbs
• 2 green onions, finely diced (about ¼ cup)
• ½ cup finely diced cilantro
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tbsp fresh grated ginger
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Broccoli:

• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 3–4 cups broccoli florets

For Serving:

• Coconut rice or brown rice
• Scallions, sliced
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Chopped roasted peanuts

Instructions

• Prepare the Sauce

  In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, sesame oil, sesame seeds, red chili paste, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, and arrowroot (or cornstarch). Set aside.
• Make the Meatballs

  In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, green onion, cilantro, garlic, ginger, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Mix well with clean hands, then form into 16 evenly-sized meatballs.
• Cook the Meatballs

  Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and add sesame oil. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F), about 10–12 minutes. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Once done, transfer to a plate and set aside.
• Cook the Broccoli

  Wipe the skillet clean and add 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Add the broccoli florets and cook, stirring frequently, for 6–8 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp. The broccoli should develop a slight char for extra flavor.
• Combine & Simmer

  Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet with the broccoli. Pour the sauce over everything and simmer on low heat for 2–5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
• Serve & Garnish

  Serve the meatballs and broccoli over your choice of rice. Garnish with sliced scallions, fresh cilantro, and chopped peanuts. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 15g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g

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Tips & Substitutions

• Prevent sticking: Wet your hands, spray them with nonstick cooking spray, or lightly oil them before forming the meatballs.
• Make it gluten-free/paleo: Swap the breadcrumbs for 2–3 tablespoons of coconut flour.
• Like it saucier? Double the sauce recipe if you prefer extra sauce. If your sauce reduces too quickly, lower the heat to maintain a good consistency.

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