Description
Savory honey chipotle chicken rice bowls combine spicy and sweet flavors for a satisfying meal. Mexican-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, offering you a delicious culinary experience that balances heat and richness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsps honey
- ½ tsp honey
- 1 cup cooked white or brown rice (or cauliflower rice for low-carb)
- ½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- ¼ small red onion, finely diced
- 1 small avocado, sliced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Juice of ½ lime
Instructions
- Marinade Creation: Whirl honey, chipotle peppers, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper into a harmonious liquid blend, coating chicken breasts completely and allowing flavor infusion for 15 minutes or overnight.
- Chicken Preparation: Heat grill pan or skillet to medium-high, sear marinated chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), then rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices and maximize tenderness.
- Rice and Bean Composition: Cook rice to fluffy perfection, simultaneously warming black beans and corn to create a textural foundation for the bowl.
- Fresh Ingredient Assembly: Dice tomatoes, slice red onion, and cube avocado while crafting a zesty dressing by whisking olive oil, lime juice, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bowl Construction: Layer rice as a base, strategically arrange sliced chicken, black beans, tomatoes, corn, red onion, and avocado, then drizzle lime dressing and garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Final Touch: Optionally enhance with hot sauce or Greek yogurt to personalize flavor profile and elevate the culinary experience.
Notes
- Marinate Wisely: Allow chicken to absorb marinade for at least 15 minutes, but overnight marination intensifies flavor depth and tenderness.
- Temperature Control: Maintain medium-high heat while cooking chicken to achieve perfect caramelization without burning, ensuring crispy exterior and juicy interior.
- Rest and Redistribute: Let cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow internal juices to redistribute, preventing dry meat and maintaining maximum succulence.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Easily adapt recipe by substituting chicken with tofu or tempeh for vegetarian version, or use cauliflower rice for low-carb alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg