Citrus Chicken Rice Bowl with Ginger Jalapeño… | The Modern Proper (2024)

April 22, 2024

Sunny and zingy with a little flare of jalapeño and ginger, this citrus chicken on a bed of coconut rice is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Photography by Gayle McLeod

Finger-Lickin’ Citrus Chicken

This summer we’re all about fresh, citrusy flavors because they’re great for beating the heat! The contrast of refreshing mango and zingy orange zest with the delicious bite of fresh ginger and jalapeño give this citrus chicken a tropical lift that’s reinvigorating after a hot day. And the best part is that as complex as its flavors are, this chicken rice bowl takes just forty minutes of prep and comes together in just half an hour! It’s also really flexible, and the whole family can mix and match their ingredients. Picky eaters? No problem! This dish has something for everyone.

What You’ll Need for Your Next-Level Chicken and Rice Bowl

Great news, you might have some of these ingredients already on hand! And if not, a light grocery store run should do it. This rice bowl recipe is also great for meal prepping for the week. It makes a big batch, keeps well, and is a delicious treat that will have you looking forward to a hassle-free lunch or dinner all week long!

For the Citrus Chicken Bowl:

• Skinless, boneless chicken thighs.

• Oranges. We bet you already have these in your fruit bowl! These will give the chicken that irresistible citrus tang.

• Honey.

• Garlic.

• English cucumber. These are slightly milder and have thinner skin than regular cucumbers. This makes them better suited to the light, sweet flavors of the honey, oranges, and coconut rice.

• Mango.

• Coconut rice. The fluffy, mild sweetness of our easy coconut rice recipe complements this dish perfectly! You can whip it up while your chicken is marinating, and it will add that extra flavor boost taking your citrus chicken from good to great!

For the Ginger Jalapeño Sauce, You’ll Need:

• Vegetable oil. Any mild flavor vegetable oil will work here: canola, vegetable, avocado or an extra light tasting olive oil. Using a neutral oil here ensures you won’t clash flavors with the jalapeño and ginger.

• Jalapeño peppers. These will give the sauce that delicious bit of heat!

• Garlic. Who doesn’t love garlic?

• Ginger. Pairs perfectly with the sweeter flavors in the citrus chicken marinade.

• Scallions.

• Sugar.

• Salt.

How to Make Citrus Chicken with Ginger and Jalapeño Sauce

The great thing about this recipe is that some of it is simply waiting! You can use that time to complete other parts of the process (we love a multi-tasking recipe!) or you can check some things off of your to-do list. Either way, you’ll end up with a tasty bowl of citrus chicken when you’re done! Here’s how we whip up your new weekday go-to:

1. Make your coconut rice! It takes about twenty minutes to cook, so you can let it simmer while you make your marinade.

2. Throw the oil, orange zest and juice, honey, salt, and pepper together in a bowl and stir it up till they’re combined.

3. Add your chicken to the marinade and let it soak! Cover it up, then it’s off to the fridge for up to two hours.

4. Heat up some oil in a skillet and start cooking the citrus chicken in batches. When it’s cooked and cooled, slice it up into bowl-ready strips. Then pour on some extra marinade to pack it with flavor!

5. Pop the jalapeños, canola oil, garlic cloves, ginger, scallions and sugar into a blender and blend until it’s a good, saucey consistency.

6. Make your cucumber-mango salad by combining them in a bowl and pouring some remaining marinade over it.

7. Assemble the bowls! Make a base layer of coconut rice, add your favorite ingredients, and drizzle that oh-so-delicious sauce over the top!

Tools You’ll Need:

• Blender

• Skillet

• Pot with lid

• Can opener

• Fine mesh strainer

• Whisk

More Healthy Bowl Recipes

• Coconut Rice Salmon Bowl

• Poke Bowl

• Quinoa Bowl

• Green Curry Buddha Bowl

This Summer, We’re Going Bowling!

Healthy, versatile, and downright delectable, this citrus chicken rice bowl with ginger and jalapeño sauce is an all-star. Whether you’re feeding the family, prepping your meals for the week, or you’re just in the mood to try something new, look no further. It’s time to bowl! Show us how you build your citrus chicken bowl on Instagram at @themodernproper and #themodernproper!