Description
This Sticky Rice Stuffed Chicken Breast recipe blends tender chicken breasts with flavorful sticky rice infused with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and fresh vegetables. Baked to perfection, this dish offers a comforting and unique meal with an Asian-inspired touch, perfect for dinner gatherings or a special family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sticky Rice Mixture
- 1 cup sticky rice
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth (or water)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ cup green onions, finely chopped
- ½ cup carrots, finely diced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Soak the Sticky Rice: Place the sticky rice in water for at least 2 hours or overnight, then drain thoroughly to prepare for cooking.
- Cook the Rice Mixture: In a saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the soaked sticky rice, soy sauce, minced ginger, and salt. Cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until the rice absorbs the broth completely. Remove from heat and stir in the finely chopped green onions and diced carrots.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s ready for baking the stuffed chicken.
- Prepare the Chicken Breasts: Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create a pocket, ensuring not to cut through completely so it holds the filling.
- Stuff the Chicken: Generously fill each chicken breast pocket with the prepared sticky rice mixture. Secure the opening with toothpicks if needed to seal the stuffing inside.
- Season the Chicken: Brush the outside of each stuffed chicken breast with sesame oil and sprinkle with black pepper evenly to enhance flavor.
- Bake: Arrange the stuffed chicken breasts in a baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and a meat thermometer inserted reads 165°F (75°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Carefully remove any toothpicks and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Soaking sticky rice overnight improves its texture and helps it cook evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked without overcooking.
- To secure the stuffed chicken breasts, toothpicks are helpful, but be sure to remove them before serving.
- Garnishing with cilantro adds a fresh flavor but can be omitted according to preference.
- Sticky rice can be substituted with glutinous rice if unavailable.
