These Korean Inspired Chicken Meal Prep Bowls are a healthy make ahead lunch idea with chicken thighs, sesame coleslaw and jasmine rice!

I stole this chicken recipe from my mom several years ago, and whenever I come home to visit my parents it's still my most requested meal since I don't make it often enough for myself. It's been in our family rotation since I was a child!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Meal prep friendly: Batch cook your meals for the week then store them in the fridge.
- Super easy: Everything comes together in about 30 mins for an easy (but tasty) meal.
Ingredients and substitutions
Chicken marinade
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs – chicken breast will work, but cooking time will vary.
- Soy sauce – tamari or coconut aminos are the best substitutes.
- Honey – sweeten the marinade with maple syrup or brown sugar instead.
- Sesame oil – you can use avocado oil, but it'll have a milder flavour.
- Garlic – freshly minced garlic is best but jarred minced garlic can be used in a pinch.
- Fresh ginger – use 1 tsp. ground ginger powder instead.
- Sesame seeds – black or white sesame seeds would both work here.
Sesame slaw
- Coleslaw mix – chop up some red and/or green cabbage instead.
- Soy sauce – use tamari or coconut aminos.
- Rice vinegar – apple cider vinegar will provide a similar flavour.
- Honey – maple syrup or agave would also work.
- Sesame oil – or a neutral cooking oil like avocado oil.
- Powdered ginger – try ginger paste instead.
Rice
- Jasmine rice – use any rice of your choice like brown rice.
- Butter – or a butter substitute like margarine.

How to make this recipe

Step 1: Cook the rice.
Cook the rice, and make the marinade and sesame slaw dressing.
Step 2: Marinate the chicken.
Marinate for at least 10-15 mins.

Step 3: Make the sesame slaw.
Toss the coleslaw mix with the dressing.
Step 4: Cook the chicken.
Cook in the oven, on the stovetop or on the grill, then serve with slaw and rice.

Recipe tips
Here are my top tips for making these meal prep bowls:
- Ingredient prep: Make the coleslaw and marinade a couple days in advance.
- Reheat properly: Cover the chicken with a damp paper towel to avoid the leftover chicken taste.
- Add more veggies: Sauté some broccoli or bok choy to serve with your chicken and rice.
- Use another cut of chicken: Chicken breasts or drumsticks would also be delicious.
Frequently asked questions
Do you eat these bowls hot or cold?
You can eat your bowls hot or cold! It's really a matter of preference. I usually take the coleslaw out or store it separately then reheat the chicken and rice together.
What are the best containers to use?
I like using these glass meal prep bowls. For more inspo, check out my top containers post.
How long does it last for meal prep?
This recipe will last in the fridge for 5 days, so it's a great option for your weekly meal prep.

More serving ideas
I like to serve my chicken with a rice or grain, and a veggie or salad. Here are some options to choose from:
- Rice and grains: Brown rice, cauliflower rice, fried rice, rice noodles, soba noodles or quinoa.
- Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, brussels sprouts or baby potatoes.
- Salads: Shaved brussels sprouts salad, cucumber salad or quinoa salad.
How to store and reheat
To store: Store your bowls in the fridge for 5 days. You can eat them cold or heat them up.
To reheat: Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel, then microwave for 1-2 mins.
To freeze: Freeze the raw marinated chicken for 3 months. Thaw in the fridge, then cook as normal.

Meal prep tools
- Get your glass meal prep bowls here!
- Get a rice cooker for hands-off cooking.
- Get a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is cooked through.
- This is the brand of tamari I like, and I love this low-sodium soy sauce!
- If you're looking for delicious grass-fed meat and poultry, then look no further than Butcher Box!

Korean Inspired Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
Ingredients
Chicken marinade
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Sesame slaw
- 1 bag coleslaw mix
- 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp powdered ginger
Rice
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1 tsp butter
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat grill to high heat, or preheat oven to 425 F. In a large bowl, mix chicken marinade ingredients together. Add chicken thighs and marinate 10-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook jasmine rice according to package directions. Mix together ingredients for sesame slaw dressing, then set aside.
- Add chicken to grill or frying pan. Cook on grill for 7 minutes, then flip and cook another 5 minutes depending on how large the thighs are. If using the oven method, bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 20 minutes or until chicken reaches 165 F in thickest part of thigh.
- Add two chicken thighs to each meal prep bowl. Toss coleslaw with dressing then add slaw and rice to each bowl. Serve and enjoy – leftovers stay good in the fridge up to 4-5 days.
Comments & Reviews
Whitney says
LOVE this recipe!!! We make it once a week! Do you happen to have the macro breakdown of just the chicken thighs?
Taylor Stinson says
So happy you love it! Unfortunately I’m not able to calculate it but you should be able to with a tool like My Fitness Pal
Meghan Newland says
Do I just put 4 whole cloves of garlic in the marinade or do i chop or mine them?
Katie Didow says
Hi Meghan! The cloves should be minced.
Jess says
This was amazing. Grilled chicken. Used cauliflower rice. Delicious.
Kristen McAllister says
This recipe is awesome ! Loved every bite
Devon says
11/10
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed!!!
Jenn says
Can you air fry the chicken thighs?
Taylor Stinson says
Yes you should be able to!
shelley says
What size of bag of coleslaw did you use? Definitely makes a difference for the macro counts
Taylor Stinson says
A 397g bag
Amy says
The flavor of this marinated chicken is to die for! Will definitely be making this again as part of my healthy meal prep. Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed!