Chili Crisp Cucumber Chicken Bowls (Print Version)

Cool cucumber salad meets spicy seared chicken with crispy chili finish

# Components:

→ Creamy Cucumber Salad

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
04 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
05 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
06 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
07 - 1 teaspoon honey
08 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
09 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

→ Seared Chicken

10 - 1.25 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
11 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
13 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
15 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Assembly and Garnish

16 - 4 tablespoons chili crisp
17 - 1/2 cup cooked jasmine rice or rice noodles, optional
18 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
19 - Extra sesame seeds for garnish
20 - Lime wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Add chicken pieces, toss to coat evenly, and marinate for at least 10 minutes.
02 - Toss sliced cucumbers with salt and let sit for 10 minutes to release excess moisture. Drain thoroughly. In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey. Add drained cucumbers, green onions, and sesame seeds. Mix until well combined and refrigerate until assembly.
03 - Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a light coating of oil if needed. Sear marinated chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
04 - Divide chilled cucumber salad evenly among four serving bowls. Top each with sliced chicken. Add jasmine rice or noodles to each bowl if desired. Spoon chili crisp generously over the chicken and cucumber components.
05 - Sprinkle extra sesame seeds and fresh cilantro leaves over each bowl. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between cool, creamy cucumber and hot, crispy chili oil hits different, I promise.
  • You can have dinner on the table in under 40 minutes without feeling like you skipped corners.
  • It's the kind of bowl that looks restaurant-quality but won't judge you for eating it straight from the container.
02 -
  • Don't skip the salting and draining step for cucumbers; I ignored it once and served a watery mess that looked sad.
  • The chicken needs to actually rest after cooking, otherwise it stays tense and dry, which sounds weird but is completely true.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 2 minutes; they taste infinitely better than the pre-toasted kind and cost way less.
  • Keep your chili crisp at room temperature right before serving so the oil stays loose and pourable, not congealed.
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