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With tender chicken meatballs, a fabulous Asian sweet and spicy sauce and a bright, fresh strawberry-cucumber salad, these Chicken Meatball Rice Bowls are a fun, healthy alternative to traditional Asian cuisine.
After the first taste of these Strawberry Balsamic Glazed Chicken Meatballs, I knew that they were destined to be more than just an appetizer. Don't get me wrong, a platter of these tender chicken meatballs glazed with a sticky, sweet, spicy sauce makes a party appetizer that guests can't get enough of. But... combine them in a bowl with fragrant jasmine rice and a beautiful strawberry cucumber salad drizzled with sesame-honey-lime dressing and now you've got a fabulous, fun, healthy dinner we'll simply call Chicken Meatball Rice Bowls.
I won't go over the same info as I did in the meatball recipe, but if you're wondering how to shape and bake nice round meatballs with ground chicken, be sure to refer back to that post. It took me a while to figure it out, but that post walks you through all the details.
Easy and delicious Asian-inspired glaze
The strawberry-balsamic glaze for these Chicken Meatball Rice Bowls is an old family favorite that dates back to the early days of The Café. You can read about the way it came together in this Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Pizza post. It's super easy to make; simply combine strawberry jam, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, fresh ginger, chili garlic sauce, water and corn starch. Bring it all to a boil and simmer for a few minutes. That's it! See what I mean, so easy!
A fresh, fun, fabulous salad!
The salad for these Chicken Meatball Rice Bowls is also easy to stir together and adds a layer of fresh, bright flavor. It also makes the bowls a complete meal and makes a beautiful presentation.
How to prep these Chicken Meatball Rice Bowls
Although these rice bowls are easy enough to stir up for an easy weeknight meal, they're also perfect for entertaining, as much of the work can be done ahead:
- The meatballs can be totally prepared a day or two in advance. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Warm gently in a saucepan or sauté pan before serving.
- Jasmine rice can be prepared ahead and warmed on 50% power in the microwave. It can also be frozen and stored in freezer containers or ziplock bags. Remove from the freezer a few hours before serving. (I like to make a big batch of jasmine rice and freeze it in 1 cup portions, the perfect amount for a meal for Scott and myself. Having bags of rice in the freezer makes it super simple to put together a quick meal on busy days.)
- Prep the salad by preparing the dressing and slicing the cucumbers and red onion early in the day. Just before serving, slice the strawberries and combine everything in a bowl.
Café Tips for making these Chicken Meatball Rice Bowls
- Although winter strawberries are nothing like beautiful, local spring and summer berries, it is possible to find decent ones in the offseason. Look for deep red strawberries that have a bit of shine rather than a dull surface. I find these are sweeter and fresher tasting.
- I use little mini seedless cucumbers for this recipe. If you can't find the small ones, pick up a larger seedless cucumber, also called hothouse, burpless, and/or European cucumbers. With a larger cucumber, I would cut it in half before slicing.
- This recipe calls for chili garlic sauce. You don't have to visit an Asian Market to find chili garlic sauce. Any larger grocery store with an international aisle will have it in the Asian section. It's a really nice condiment to have on hand, as it has lots of flavor and it keeps well in the refrigerator. It does add some heat which is why I use a range for the amount. Start with a little then taste after the sauce is done. You can always add more, but you can't take heat away.
- Like the pretty chopsticks? They add a beautiful, fun touch to these Chicken Meatball Rice Bowls.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear other’s results and ideas for variations.
- 5-6 mini seedless cucumbers thinly sliced
- 8 medium fresh strawberries halved, then each half cut into thirds
- half of a small red onion halved and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon chili garlic sauce
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cups cooked jasmine rice
- sesame seeds I use black and white for garnish, if desired
- fresh cilantro basil and/or mint leaves, for garnish, if desired
- cashew halves and pieces for garnish, if desired
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Prepare the Strawberry Balsamic Glazed Meatballs and sauce as directed in this recipe.
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Combine the lime juice, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce and salt in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well. Set aside.
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Combine the cucumbers, red onion and strawberries in a medium-size bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the top and toss gently to coat. Set aside.
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Divide rice between 4 serving bowls. Add 3-5 meatballs to one side of each bowl. Spoon some of the sauce over the meatballs and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.
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Spoon the salad next to the meatballs, leaving some of the rice exposed. Drizzle any extra dressing over the salad.
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Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired. Serve cashews in a small bowl at the table. Enjoy!
See Café Tips above in post for more detailed instructions and tips.
Nutritional information above does not include meatballs and sauce. See Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Meatball post for that information.
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Kaye says
OMG, forgot to leave rating. Would leave 10 stars if possible!
Kaye says
Hi Chris,
I have made several of your recipes and they are all fantastic. As to these meatballs, they are awesome. My 9 y/o grandson is constantly asking me to make them! He literally devours them!! I am planning on making this Bowl for dinner this week for my single female friends. How do you think a coconut lime rice would go with the meatballs? Last time I made cilentro-lime rice that went very well. Thanks for your input and always look forward to your emails!
Kaye
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you, Kaye! I'm so happy you've enjoyed these meatballs. I think coconut lime rice would be fantastic!
Michelle says
I made this (quadrupled) recipe for a large family gathering and, oh my goodness! This was such a delicious lunch! Will definitely make again (with meatball-making helpers)!
Chris Scheuer says
Haha! It's always good to have meatball-making helpers! You would need that with a quadruple batch, for sure! I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
Linda Evans says
Made this for dinner tonight and loved it! Love your recipes!
Thanks
Linda E.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Linda. We appreciate your kind words and you taking the te to share your results!
Cathy says
Made this for dinner this week and it was fabulous! I even made your recipe for Forbidden Rice to make it even more special! Love your recipes! You’re an inspiration!
Chris Scheuer says
Aww... thanks so much, Cathy! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your results and for your kind and encouraging words 💕
Julie Wilson says
I made these last week and they were delicious and so simple to make. I really enjoy your blog and always wait eagerly for your new recipes. I am going to make the Swedish chocolate cake for Valentine's Day. Thank you!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Julie! Hope you enjoy the cake!
Geraldine says
Made this for dinner tonight. I used ground turkey thigh as that was all that was available in local supermarket. It was delicious! The meatballs were very moist and the sauce was gingery, sweet and slightly tangy. So yummy! The salad was fresh tasting and provided a nice crunch. I certainly enjoyed having strawberries during a very snowy week- the dressing was also light and very flavourful. Thanks for all of your recipes. I am always so excited to try a new dish.
Chris Scheuer says
Yay! So happy you enjoyed it, Geraldine! Thanks for taking the time to share your results!
Tricia B says
These meatballs look so luscious with that gorgeous sticky sauce and the entire dish is vibrant an enticing! I could eat these weekly. Cannot wait to try it Chris 🙂 Pinned!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Tricia!
Carole @ From My Carolina Home says
Sounds yummy!! I use sriracha sauce for the chili-garlic, easier to find and it is practically the same thing. I am definitely going to try those meatballs, and I love jasmine rice! Some snow peas on the side and we'll have dinner (neither of us likes cucumbers). Thanks for the recipes!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Carole! Hope you enjoy them!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
I love meatballs and I'm especially loving the sound of the delicious sauce. And so perfect in a rice bowl! My kind of dinner 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Jennifer, they are wonderful with rice!
Lynne says
What happened to your metric conversion...no longer available?
Chris Scheuer says
Oops, in getting this post out, I forgot to add it. I'll do that now. If you ever notice the metric conversion to be missing, just let me know. It's my error.