Crispy Chilli Chicken Bowl
A fakeaway favourite brought home: golden, crispy chicken tossed in a sticky sweet-chilli glaze, finished with fresh chilli and sesame, and served over fluffy rice. Big crunch, bold heat, and dangerously moreish.
Ingredients
For the Crispy Chicken
- 500g chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 1 tsp garlic granules
- 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Vegetable oil, for frying (shallow or deep)
For the Sticky Chilli Sauce
- 3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
For the Bowl Base
- 300g jasmine or basmati rice
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (optional, for seasoning rice)
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
To Finish & Garnish
- 1 red chilli, finely sliced
- 2 spring onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds
Suggested Extras
- Steamed broccoli or sugar snap peas
- Pickled cucumber or kimchi-style slaw
- Extra chilli oil or chilli crisp
Instructions
0 / 29 completed
-
Step 1
The Story
-
Step 2
This is the dish that made British Chinese takeaways legendary. Crispy chicken, sticky-sweet sauce, and just enough chilli heat to keep you going back for “one more bite” until the bowl is mysteriously empty.
-
Step 3
A proper Crispy Chilli Chicken Bowl is all about contrast — shatteringly crisp chicken straight from the pan, then glazed in a glossy sauce that clings to every edge. It’s loud, indulgent, and deeply satisfying, but still surprisingly doable at home without turning your kitchen into a fryer graveyard.
-
Step 4
Method
Get the Rice On Early
0 of 4 completed
-
Step 5
Rinse the rice under cold water until it runs mostly clear.
-
Step 6
Cook according to packet instructions until fluffy and tender.
-
Step 7
Optional: stir through rice vinegar and sugar for lightly seasoned takeaway-style rice.
-
Step 8
Cover and keep warm.
Prep the Chicken for Maximum Crunch
0 of 3 completed
-
Step 9
Add chicken pieces to a bowl and season with garlic granules, white pepper, and salt.
-
Step 10
Sprinkle over cornflour and plain flour, tossing until every piece is lightly coated.
-
Step 11
The coating should look dry and craggy — that’s how you get proper crispiness.
Fry Until Golden and Loud
0 of 3 completed
-
Step 12
Heat oil in a wide pan or wok over medium-high heat.
-
Step 13
Fry the chicken in batches, giving it space to crisp rather than steam.
-
Step 14
Cook until deeply golden and crunchy, then remove to a plate lined with kitchen paper.
Build the Sticky Chilli Sauce
0 of 4 completed
-
Step 15
Carefully discard excess oil, leaving about 1 tbsp in the pan.
-
Step 16
Add sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil.
-
Step 17
Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until glossy and bubbling.
-
Step 18
Stir in the cornflour slurry and cook for 30–60 seconds until thick and sticky.
Glaze the Chicken
0 of 3 completed
-
Step 19
Return the crispy chicken to the pan.
-
Step 20
Toss quickly to coat every piece in the sauce — work fast so it stays crisp underneath.
-
Step 21
Add sliced red chilli and spring onions right at the end.
Assemble the Bowl
0 of 8 completed
-
Step 22
Spoon rice into bowls as the base.
-
Step 23
Top generously with crispy chilli chicken and extra sauce from the pan.
-
Step 24
Finish with sesame seeds and any extras you fancy.
-
Step 25
Pairings & Extras
-
Step 26
Veg: Steamed broccoli, pak choi, or sugar snap peas balance the richness.
-
Step 27
Crunch: Pickled cucumber or slaw cuts through the sweetness perfectly.
-
Step 28
Heat lovers: Drizzle with chilli oil or spoon over chilli crisp.
-
Step 29
Meal prep tip: Keep sauce and chicken separate, reheat chicken in the oven or air fryer, then glaze fresh.
Featured Favourites
Feeling Lucky?
Breakfast Burrito Bowls (Chorizo, Eggs, Potatoes, Chipotle Sauce)
A bold breakfast bowl loaded with crispy potatoes, smoky chorizo, fluffy eggs, and a creamy chipotle sauce. All the flavour of a breakfast burrito, no wrap required.
Full English Breakfast Fried Rice
A playful fusion dish combining all the flavours of a full English breakfast with savoury fried rice. Crispy bacon, sausages, eggs, and beans come together in one indulgent, comforting pan.
Spaghetti Carbonara
A classic Italian pasta dish made with spaghetti tossed in a silky sauce of eggs, cheese, and crispy pancetta. Simple ingredients, perfect technique, and unbeatable comfort.
One Pot Southwest Chicken & Rice
A bold and comforting one-pot dish made with spiced chicken, rice, beans, and peppers simmered together for maximum flavour with minimal washing up. Perfect for an easy, satisfying weeknight meal.
Greek Lemon Chicken & Potatoes (One-Pan)
A classic Greek-inspired one-pan roast with juicy lemon-marinated chicken and crispy potatoes, infused with garlic, oregano, and olive oil. Simple, rustic, and full of Mediterranean flavour.
Bang Bang Chicken with Asian Slaw
Crispy chicken coated in a creamy, sweet, and spicy bang bang sauce, served with a fresh, crunchy Asian-style slaw. Big flavour, great texture, and perfect for a fakeaway night.