These Hot Honey Chicken and Rice Bowls burst with flavor, offering a delightful balance of sweet, spicy, and savory in every bite. Prepare this comforting dish in just 30 minutes for a meal that is not only scrumptious but also family-friendly and sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Picture this: you come home from a long day, and the aroma of sizzling chicken fills the air while a quick and easy meal takes shape in your kitchen. This recipe wraps up the warmth of home-cooked goodness in a bowl, and it’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you just want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. Let’s dive into how you can create these cozy Hot Honey Chicken and Rice Bowls.
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Hot Honey Chicken and Rice Bowls
- Total Time: 45
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
These Hot Honey Chicken and Rice Bowls burst with flavor, offering a delightful balance of sweet, spicy, and savory in every bite. A comforting, family-friendly dish that can be prepared in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 ¼ pounds boneless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise (about 2 medium)
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2–3 Tablespoons sriracha (or any type of hot sauce)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1 medium summer squash, sliced
- 1 ½ cups shredded carrots
- 1 medium avocado, sliced
- 2 cups cooked rice (or quinoa)
- ½ medium lime (optional, for topping)
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (optional for ranch)
- 1–2 Tablespoons milk (adjust to thickness, optional for ranch)
- ¼ teaspoon onion (optional for ranch)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic (optional for ranch)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (optional for ranch)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper (optional for ranch)
- ¼ teaspoon dill (optional for ranch)
- 1 teaspoon freshly chopped parsley (optional for ranch)
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (optional for ranch)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat the avocado oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add your chicken breasts and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until browned.
- In a bowl, mix together the honey, sriracha, minced garlic, salt, pepper, cayenne, and crushed red pepper to create the sauce. Set aside about 3-4 tablespoons of this sauce for later.
- Once the chicken is browned, remove it from the skillet.
- Toss zucchini and summer squash in the skillet, sautéing for about 1-2 minutes.
- Layer the shredded carrots over the squash, place the chicken back on top, and pour the hot honey sauce over the chicken.
- Bake for about 15 minutes.
- While it’s baking, prepare the ranch drizzle by mixing Greek yogurt, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and optional spices in a bowl.
- Turn on the broiler for 3-5 minutes at the end of cooking.
- Remove from the oven, let it rest briefly, and slice the chicken into cubes. Toss with the remaining hot honey sauce.
- Assemble your bowls with rice, sautéed veggies, chicken, drizzle with extra hot honey and ranch, and add sliced avocado and lime.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the hot honey sauce for an hour before cooking. Adjust the heat level according to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
This dish combines tender chicken with vibrant vegetables and a spicy honey glaze that is simply irresistible. Plus, it’s customizable, making it a versatile meal option that can adapt to what you have on hand or your family’s taste preferences.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken and Rice Bowls
Ingredients:
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 ¼ pounds boneless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise (about 2 medium)
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2-3 Tablespoons sriracha (or any type of hot sauce)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1 medium summer squash, sliced
- 1 ½ cups shredded carrots
- 1 medium avocado, sliced
- 2 cups cooked rice (or quinoa)
- ½ medium lime (optional, for topping)
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (optional for ranch)
- 1-2 Tablespoons milk (adjust to thickness, optional for ranch)
- ¼ teaspoon onion (optional for ranch)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic (optional for ranch)
- ¼ teaspoon salt (optional for ranch)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper (optional for ranch)
- ¼ teaspoon dill (optional for ranch)
- 1 teaspoon freshly chopped parsley (optional for ranch)
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (optional for ranch)
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures a nice, even bake for your chicken and veggies.
- Heat the avocado oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add your chicken breasts and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until browned.
- In a bowl, mix together the honey, sriracha, minced garlic, salt, pepper, cayenne, and crushed red pepper to create that flavorful hot honey sauce. Set aside about 3-4 tablespoons of this sauce for later.
- Once the chicken is nicely browned, remove it from the skillet and set it aside for a moment.
- Toss the zucchini and summer squash in the skillet, sautéing for about 1-2 minutes to give them a bit of a soft start.
- Next, layer the shredded carrots over the squash, placing the chicken back on top. Pour the hot honey sauce over the chicken to coat it well.
- Now it’s time to pop the skillet in the oven! Bake for about 15 minutes, allowing all those flavors to meld together.
- While it’s baking, you can whip up a quick ranch drizzle by mixing the Greek yogurt, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and optional spices in a bowl.
- For a beautiful finish, turn on the broiler for about 3-5 minutes at the end of cooking. This will caramelize the sauce on the chicken and give it a nice flavor boost.
- Remove from the oven, let it rest briefly, and then slice the chicken into cubes. Toss this with the remaining hot honey sauce.
- To serve, assemble your bowls with a generous scoop of rice, the sautéed veggies, and pieces of the chicken. Drizzle with the extra hot honey and ranch, add some sliced avocado, and a squeeze of lime for that refreshing touch.
How to Serve Your Bowls
These Hot Honey Chicken and Rice Bowls are meant to be enjoyed fresh! Each bowl offers a hearty portion of rice topped with delicious veggies and glazed chicken, making it a perfect family meal at the dinner table that everyone will love.
How to Store Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which is rare because they are so good!), store the components separately in airtight containers in the fridge. They should last up to 3 days. To reheat, just warm the chicken and veggies in a skillet and serve over fresh rice!
Tips for Making the Best Hot Honey Chicken and Rice Bowls
- Adjust the level of heat by varying the amount of sriracha and cayenne to suit your family’s taste.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the hot honey sauce for an hour before cooking.
- Feel free to swap in any seasonal vegetables you have on hand. Bell peppers or broccoli work well too!
Variations to Try
- Swap out the rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice for a healthier twist.
- To make this dish more filling, add beans or chickpeas along with the veggies.
- Use different proteins like shrimp or tofu for a unique flavor profile!
FAQs
1. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Just store them in the fridge and then bake when you’re ready!
2. How spicy are these bowls?
The spice level can be easily adjusted with the amount of sriracha and red pepper flakes you use. Feel free to start with less and add more to suit your preference!
3. Can this recipe be frozen?
Yes! You can freeze the cooked chicken and veggies. Simply cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container, and they will be good for about 2-3 months.
With each bite of this warm and inviting dish, you’ll feel right at home. Enjoy making and sharing these Hot Honey Chicken and Rice Bowls, bringing a touch of comfort and joy to your kitchen!