Warm Ginger-Apricot Chicken Bowl with Scallion Rice, Roasted Eggplant and Lemon Sesame Cream
A complete and original lunch bowl featuring chicken glazed in a gentle ginger-apricot sauce, served over scallion-scented rice with roasted eggplant and a silky lemon sesame cream. It balances sweet, citrusy, and toasted flavors in a comforting yet elegant bowl.
Ingredients
- 600 g skinless chicken breast, diced (diced medium)
- 200 g jasmine rice (enjuagado)
- 475 ml water (for cocer the arroz)
- 500 g eggplant (en medias lunas gruesas)
- 60 g scallions (finely chopped, separado en parte blanca and verde)
- 90 g dried apricots (chopped finely)
- 20 g fresh ginger (grated)
- 12 g garlic (chopped)
- 1 unit lemon (3 tbsp de jugo, dividido)
- 80 g tahini (for the cream)
- 120 g plain yogurt (for the cream)
- 30 ml honey (divided)
- 45 ml soy sauce (divided)
- 45 ml olive oil (divided)
- 2 g ground cumin (for the berenjena)
- 2 g sweet paprika (for the berenjena)
- 8 g salt (or to taste, divided)
- 2 g black pepper (or to taste, divided)
- 30 ml warm water (for ajustar the cream)
- 9 g sesame seeds (tostadas, for terminar)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Preheat the oven to 220°C / 425°F. Place the eggplant on a sheet pan and toss it with 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil, cumin, sweet paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Roast for 22 to 25 minutes at 220°C / 425°F, turning halfway through, until golden and tender.
- 2
2. Meanwhile, cook the jasmine rice. Place the rice in a saucepan with 475 ml / 2 cups water, a pinch of salt, and the white part of the scallions. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- 3
3. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken with half of the ginger, half of the garlic, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let it sit for 10 minutes while you prepare the sauce and cream.
- 4
4. For the lemon sesame cream, whisk together the tahini, plain yogurt, 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice, lemon zest, 2 tbsp warm water, and a pinch of salt. Add a little more water if you want a looser consistency. Set aside.
- 5
5. For the glaze, place the dried apricots, remaining ginger, remaining garlic, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tbsp honey, and 3 tbsp water in a small skillet. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until the apricots soften and the mixture becomes a thick, glossy sauce.
- 6
6. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and fully cooked. Add the ginger-apricot glaze, toss well, and cook 1 to 2 minutes more so the chicken is fully coated.
- 7
7. Fold the green part of the scallions into the cooked rice along with a few drops of the remaining lemon juice. Mix gently to perfume the rice without making it sticky.
- 8
8. To serve, divide the scallion rice among 4 bowls. Add the roasted eggplant and the glazed chicken. Finish with the lemon sesame cream and toasted sesame seeds on top.
- 9
9. Serve right away while warm so the contrast of juicy chicken, caramelized eggplant, fragrant rice, and cool cream stands out.
Chef tips
For better browning, do not overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken; if needed, cook it in two batches. Finely chopping the apricots helps create a more even glaze.
Substitutions
You can use boneless chicken thighs instead of breast. Jasmine rice can be replaced with basmati rice. If you do not have yogurt, use extra tahini thinned with water and a little more lemon, keeping in mind that this will change the dairy content.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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