Easy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls
Few meals provide the balance of sweet, spicy, and savory quite like a Hot Honey Chicken Bowl. It’s a luscious dish, with delicate chicken sizzling in a sticky, spicy-sweet hot honey glaze, together with a jumbled roster of fresh, brightly flavored foods for a supper that’s as great as it is simple to prepare.
Meal prep for the week or you simply want to prepare your family for dinner, this recipe is sure to impress your taste buds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big Flavor: The sweetness of honey and spicy chili come together to pack a flavor punch.
- Quick & Easy: This dish is ready in less than 45 minutes, making the dish ideal for busy weeknights.
- Making it: The customizable grain and/or veggie base.
- Meal Prep: Stays well, a great option for lunch or dinner for the week.
- Healthy: whole grains and veggies for a healthy, nutrient-rich meal.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to bring this dish to life:
For the Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, if preferred)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Hot Honey Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (for extra heat, optional)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
For the Bowls
- 2 cups cooked brown rice (or quinoa for a healthier twist)
- 1 1/2 cups roasted vegetables (e.g., broccoli, carrots, zucchini)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional garnish)
- 1/4 cup pickled red onions (optional)
Instructions
For perfect results, follow these step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: Marinate and Cook the Chicken
- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Sprinkle garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper all over the chicken.
- Sear the chicken in the hot skillet for 6-8 minutes per side or until cooked through and browned. Take off the heat and rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
Step 2: Make the Hot Honey Sauce
- In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes while the chicken is cooking.
- Neighbour over low heat until sauce has thickened slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Drizzle half of the sauce over the cooked chicken, saving the rest to drizzle when you serve.
Step 3: Assemble the Bowls
Use cooked warm brown rice or quinoa as a base.
- Top with a hearty portion of roasted vegetables.
- Divide sliced hot honey chicken on top, drizzling with remaining hot honey sauce.
- Top it with sliced avocado, a handful of fresh cilantro and pickled red onions for flavor and crunch.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Serve right away, or store in airtight containers to enjoy as meal prep throughout the week.
Notes
Tips for Success
- Adjust the Heat: If you prefer more spice, add more red pepper flakes or use a spicier hot sauce instead.
- Alternate the Veggies: Substitute your favorite seasonal vegetables such as Brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes for a twist.
- Meal Prep Hack: Whenever I cook chicken and rice, I catch up on my pile of magazines and cook extra batches to freeze.
- Gluten-Free: Replace the soy sauce with tamari for a gluten-free dish.
How to Serve
This Hot Honey Chicken Bowl is so versatile. Serve it:
- For Dinner: Hot and fresh, with crusty bread or a little green salad on the side.
- For Meal Prep: Store in individual airtight containers for up to 4 days. Microwave or stovetop to reheat for a fast, healthful meal.
- Family-Style: Lay out a buffet with all the toppings and grains to build a bowl.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 430
- Protein: 29g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugars: 12g
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sodium: 410mg
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan Fry, Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I make this recipe meat-free?
Yes! You can replace the chicken with roasted tofu, tempeh or chickpeas for a vegetarian-friendly version.
Q2. What can I use in place of the brown rice?
Based on your preference, feel free to use quinoa, white rice, cauliflower rice, as well as farro.
Q3. How spicy is the hot honey sauce?
The heat level is mild to medium, but you can easily bump it up or down by using more or less hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
Q4. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Using chicken breasts will work fine for this recipe — although thighs tend to be juicier, and has more flavor.
Q5. Can I freeze this recipe?
The cooked chicken is freezable for up to 3 months. We advise cooking the rice fresh to attain an optimal texture.
This Hot Honey Chicken Bowl is not just a meal, it is an experience. It’s roasty and nourishing, and totally customizable to your tastes. Whether you whip it up for a cozy dinner at home or prepare it for a busy week of work, this recipe promises satisfaction.