Description
Hot Honey Chicken Bowls combine tender chicken glazed in a sweet and spicy honey sauce served over a bed of fresh vegetables and your choice of rice or quinoa. This easy-to-make dish offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it ideal for quick dinners or meal prep. Adaptable and packed with nutrition, it’s a flavorful and satisfying meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, trimmed
Hot Honey Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1–2 tsp chili flakes (adjust to spice preference)
Grain Base
- 1 cup rice or quinoa
Fresh Vegetables
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup snap peas, trimmed
Fresh Herbs
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro or sliced green onions
Cooking and Seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and any preferred spices. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Ensure a nice crust develops for maximum flavor.
- Make the Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine honey and chili flakes in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy, about 3-5 minutes. Adjust spice level to taste.
- Cook the Grain Base: Prepare rice or quinoa according to package instructions. Fluff and keep warm until assembly.
- Toss the Vegetables: Chop fresh vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Lightly toss them with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper to enhance flavor while keeping their crunch.
- Assemble the Bowls: Place a generous scoop of cooked grain into each bowl. Layer with tossed vegetables, then top with slices of the honey-glazed chicken. Drizzle extra hot honey sauce over the top and garnish with fresh herbs.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken to ensure even cooking and juiciness.
- Adjust honey sweetness by reducing honey or adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken to achieve a perfect sear.
- Prepare vegetables last to keep them fresh and crunchy.
- Make extra hot honey sauce to use as a condiment for other dishes; store refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg