Description
Spicy-sweet hot honey chicken bowls deliver an irresistible culinary adventure with bold flavors and perfect texture. Crispy chicken glazed in golden honey and zesty spices rests on a bed of fluffy rice, promising a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound (450 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Spices and Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) honey
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (like Franks RedHot or sriracha)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine)
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup sweet potato, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
- ¼ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)
- Lemon or lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the roasting stage by heating the oven to a high temperature. Carefully coat chopped broccoli and sweet potato with fragrant olive oil, then season with traditional salt and pepper. Distribute vegetables evenly across a baking sheet, ensuring they’re not overcrowded, and roast until edges become caramelized and textures transform into tender, golden pieces.
- Season chicken pieces with a robust blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dust the seasoned chicken with cornstarch to create a delicate crispy exterior. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, then carefully sear chicken until each side develops a rich, golden-brown crust and reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Transform the same skillet into a glaze station by introducing honey, fiery hot sauce, tangy apple cider vinegar, and optional chili flakes. Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce, creating a glossy, concentrated coating. Gently reintroduce the cooked chicken, ensuring each piece becomes luxuriously enrobed in the spicy-sweet glaze.
- Construct individual serving bowls by creating a foundation of fluffy rice. Layer the roasted vegetables and glazed chicken atop the rice, creating a visually appealing and hearty meal presentation.
- Elevate the dish’s visual and flavor complexity by sprinkling fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro. Optional: Crumble feta or goat cheese for added richness. Accompany the bowls with citrus wedges to provide a bright, zesty accent that cuts through the dish’s intense flavors.
Notes
- Roast vegetables at high heat for maximum caramelization, ensuring they develop rich, crispy edges that enhance overall flavor complexity.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help cornstarch create a crispier exterior and promote better browning during cooking.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity based on personal spice tolerance, allowing customization for different heat preferences without compromising dish integrity.
- Use honey alternatives like maple syrup or agave for dietary modifications, maintaining the glaze’s sweet-spicy balance while accommodating vegan or specific nutritional needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 670
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 77g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 100mg