TikTok Chili-Crisp Cucumber Chicken Bowls (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken meets crisp cucumbers in a spicy Asian-inspired bowl ready in 35 minutes

# What You'll Need:

→ Creamy Cucumber Salad

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
04 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
05 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
06 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
07 - 1 teaspoon sugar
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 oyster sauce
13 - 1 tablespoon honey
14 - 1 tablespoon neutral oil
15 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
17 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ For Assembly

18 - 4 cups cooked jasmine or short-grain rice
19 - 4 tablespoons chili crisp
20 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
21 - Extra green onions, sliced

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Place sliced cucumbers in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and toss. Let sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Rinse briefly and pat dry with paper towels.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Add the cucumbers, green onions, and sesame seeds. Toss to coat. Chill until ready to serve.
03 - In a bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, oil, garlic, ginger, and black pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
04 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Let rest for 3 minutes, then slice.
05 - Divide creamy cucumber salad among four bowls. Add a scoop of rice. Top with sliced chicken. Drizzle each bowl with 1 tablespoon chili crisp.
06 - Top bowls with cilantro and extra green onions. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, which means you're not stuck in the kitchen on a weeknight when you'd rather be doing literally anything else.
  • The chili crisp is the secret weapon that transforms ordinary ingredients into something you'll crave again by Wednesday.
  • You get a bowl that's somehow both creamy and fresh, packed with protein, and honestly just feels good in your body.
02 -
  • Don't skip the salt and rest step for the cucumbers—I learned this the hard way when my first bowl was basically vegetable soup, and I've never looked back since.
  • The chili crisp is not optional flavor, it's the entire personality of the dish, so buy a good one or make your own because mediocre chili crisp will disappoint you.
03 -
  • Cook your chicken slightly underdone if you're slicing it—carryover heat will finish the job, and you'll get meat that's tender instead of dry.
  • Make the cucumber salad ahead of time, but add the chili crisp only when you're serving because it loses its crispy texture over time and that's where the magic lives.
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