If you’re craving a weeknight dinner that’s both dazzling and downright craveable, Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls are your new kitchen best friend. These bowls are loaded with tender, caramelized chicken, fluffy rice, crisp veggies, a punchy homemade sauce, and finished with a wildly addictive yum yum drizzle. It’s spicy, satisfying, and incredibly fun to customize!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor-Packed Layers: Every bite bursts with sweet, spicy, tangy, and creamy goodness thanks to savory chicken, chili-laced sauce, cool veggies, and velvety yum yum sauce.
Super Customizable: Change up your toppings, dial the heat to your liking, or swap in tofu for a vegetarian twist—the Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls happily play along.
Weeknight-Friendly Ease: The sheet pan method keeps the cooking and clean-up blissfully simple, while everything comes together in under 45 minutes.
Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or spice lovers, these bowls make everyone at the table a little happier (and a lot fuller!).

Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowl Delight Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how such a humble line-up of ingredients delivers so much flavor! Each element in Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls brings something amazing: juicy chicken for substance, bright orange juice for freshness, and that signature yum yum sauce to tie it all together.

Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Thinly sliced chicken bakes up super tender and soaks in the bold marinade; thighs add extra juiciness if you prefer!
Cornstarch or arrowroot powder: Just a sprinkle helps crisp the chicken’s edges and gives the sauce that glossy finish.
Tamari or soy sauce: Savory, salty, and packed with umami—choose tamari for a gluten-free option.
Extra virgin olive oil: For roasting the chicken to golden, caramelized perfection.
Black pepper: Lends gentle heat and balance to every bite.
Orange juice: Brightens the sauce and brings a touch of natural sweetness.
Honey: Rounds out the spicy flavors with mellow, floral sweetness.
Chili paste: Choose your favorite—sambal oelek, gochujang, or sriracha—for a bold kick of spice.
Chopped fresh ginger: Gives the sauce zing and depth you’ll absolutely notice.
Garlic: Because what’s a flavor bomb without garlic?
Cooked rice: Fluffy white rice or brown rice makes the perfect base; use leftover rice to save time.
Cucumber, avocado, kimchi, and fried wontons: Offer crunch, creaminess, tang, and a little fun in every bowl—feel free to mix and match your add-ins!
Yum Yum Sauce: Made with olive oil mayo, ketchup, Worcestershire, seasoned salt, and cayenne for a tangy, creamy, just-spicy-enough finish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

What I adore about Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls is how effortlessly they bend to your cravings or pantry situation. Feel free to riff on the toppings, swap out proteins, or play with the flavor profile to make these bowls all your own!

Vegetarian Twist: Swap the chicken for cubed tofu or tempeh—just roast as directed and drizzle with the same zingy sauce.
Lower Carb: Use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice if you’re looking to keep things light and veggie-forward.
Extra Spice: Stir sriracha or extra chili paste into the sauce, or add sliced fresh chilis as a topping for a wallop of heat.
Different Sauces: Try it with peanut sauce, teriyaki, or a homemade gochujang aioli for a whole new twist on yum yum bowls.
More Veggies: Add shredded carrots, edamame, pickled red onions, or roasted broccoli for even more color, crunch, and nutrients.

How to Make Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls

Step 1: Roast the Chicken

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F. Spread the thinly sliced chicken on a large sheet pan. Drizzle with tamari and a pop of orange juice, season with plenty of freshly ground pepper, sprinkle cornstarch over everything, and give it all a good toss. A generous drizzle of olive oil helps everything roast up golden and locks in the juiciness. Pop it in the oven for 15 minutes—you’ll start smelling the deliciousness almost instantly!

Step 2: Whisk Up the Spicy Sauce

While the chicken roasts, whisk together your taste-bud-awakening sauce: tamari, orange juice, honey, chili paste, fresh chopped ginger, and garlic. This is where most of the bold, sticky-sweet heat comes from—don’t be afraid to adjust the chili to your personal preference!

Step 3: Sauce & Broil the Chicken

When the chicken hits the 15-minute mark, remove the pan and pour over about two-thirds of your spicy sauce. Toss to coat, then return the chicken to the oven for another 5 minutes until perfectly cooked through. For that irresistible char, switch on your oven’s broiler and give the chicken another minute or two. Watch closely—those little singed edges are magic!

Step 4: Stir Together the Yum Yum Sauce

As your chicken finishes up, whisk together the creamy yum yum sauce: olive oil mayo, ketchup, Worcestershire, seasoned salt, a touch of cayenne, and a pinch of salt. It should be tangy, supremely dippable, and just the right amount of spicy. Taste and adjust until you want to eat it by the spoonful!

Step 5: Assemble & Top Your Bowls

Spoon fluffy cooked rice into your favorite bowls. Top with the spicy roasted chicken, ribbons of cucumber, slices of creamy avocado, punchy kimchi, and a scattering of fried wontons for crunch. Finish with green onions if you like, then drizzle (generously!) with yum yum sauce. The more toppings, the better—there’s no wrong way to build a Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowl!

Pro Tips for Making Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls

Sheet Pan Savvy: For easy clean-up, line your baking sheet with parchment paper—sauce won’t stick, and you’ll get those golden edges without scrubbing.
Rice Upgrade: Use day-old rice for bowls that hold up perfectly under saucy chicken, or toss fresh rice with a splash of rice vinegar for sushi rice flavor.
Broil for the Win: Don’t skip the final broil—it gives irresistible caramelized flavor and those little bits everyone fights over.
Custom Heat: Taste your chili paste before adding; spice levels vary, and you want fiery fun, not tears!

How to Serve Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls

Garnishes

A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, a flurry of sliced green onions, and a handful of microgreens or cilantro can take your Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls to the next level. If you love a little crunch, extra fried wonton strips or a drizzle of chili oil make every bite a little more special.

Side Dishes

Pair these spicy, saucy bowls with something refreshing like a crisp Asian cucumber salad, crunchy slaw, or even simple steamed edamame. If you want to round out dinner for a crowd, egg drop soup or some homemade spring rolls are fabulous additions.

Creative Ways to Present

For a wow-worthy dinner, serve your Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls in wide, shallow bowls and line up all the toppings buffet style so everyone can build their own masterpiece. Or, go mini with appetizer-sized servings on small plates for a party-friendly twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover chicken, rice, and toppings in separate airtight containers in the fridge—they’ll keep well for up to 3 days. Keep the yum yum sauce in its own jar or container to preserve its creamy texture.

Freezing

You can freeze cooked chicken (without veggies or rice) for up to 2 months. Let it cool, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for quick bowl assembly!

Reheating

To reheat, warm chicken and rice gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or extra orange juice to keep things moist. Add fresh toppings and drizzle with yum yum sauce just before serving—your leftovers will taste just as lively as day one.

FAQs

Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken?

Absolutely! Shred leftover rotisserie chicken and toss it with the spicy sauce, then broil briefly until caramelized. It’s a fantastic shortcut for getting Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls on the table even faster.
Is there a dairy-free version of the yum yum sauce?

Yes! Just be sure to use a plant-based mayo to keep the sauce creamy and dairy-free—everything else in the yum yum sauce recipe is already dairy-free.
What chili paste is best for this recipe?

You can use sambal oelek for straightforward heat, gochujang for a hint of sweetness and depth, or Sriracha for a familiar kick—the choice lets you tailor your Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls to match your spice level and taste preferences.
Can I prep Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls in advance?

Definitely! Roast the chicken, cook the rice, and whip up the yum yum sauce ahead of time. Store everything separately, then reheat and assemble fresh with crunchy veggies and toppings just before serving for the best results.

Final Thoughts

If you’re seeking that magical dinner—easy, vibrant, utterly mouthwatering—let these Spicy Chicken Yum Yum Rice Bowls become your weeknight staple. I hope you’ll give them a try, pile up the toppings, and savor every spicy-creamy bite!