Description
Spicy-sweet honey chipotle chicken rice bowls blend Mexican-inspired flavors with comforting grains for a mouthwatering meal. Balanced spices, tender chicken, and zesty toppings invite diners to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon honey
Bowl Components and Toppings:
- 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
Oils and Acids:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Juice of ½ lime
Instructions
- Craft a robust marinade by blending honey, chipotle peppers, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper into a vibrant liquid mixture.
- Thoroughly coat chicken breasts in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage, and allow flavors to penetrate for a minimum of 15 minutes or refrigerate overnight for enhanced taste profile.
- Preheat a grill pan or skillet to medium-high temperature, creating an ideal searing environment for the marinated chicken.
- Cook chicken pieces for approximately 5-6 minutes on each side, monitoring internal temperature until it reaches 165°F (75°C) for perfect doneness.
- Remove chicken from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness.
- Slice chicken into elegant, uniform strips that will complement the rice bowl’s composition.
- Prepare rice as a foundational layer, ensuring fluffy and well-seasoned grains.
- Warm black beans and corn, adding a complementary texture and temperature to the dish.
- Dice fresh tomatoes, thinly slice red onion, and carefully cube ripe avocado to introduce vibrant colors and fresh flavors.
- Whisk together a zesty dressing using olive oil, lime juice, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to enhance the bowl’s overall taste profile.
- Construct the bowl by layering rice as the base, then strategically arrange sliced chicken, black beans, tomatoes, corn, red onion, and avocado.
- Drizzle the prepared lime dressing over the assembled bowl and garnish with fresh cilantro for a burst of aromatic herb flavor.
- Optional: Enhance the experience by adding a splash of hot sauce or a dollop of Greek yogurt for extra complexity and personal preference.
Notes
- Infuse maximum flavor by marinating chicken overnight, allowing the honey chipotle blend to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing chipotle peppers, making the dish adaptable for mild or heat-loving palates.
- Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version, ensuring the marinade still delivers bold, zesty flavors.
- Create a low-carb alternative by replacing rice with cauliflower rice or mixed greens, maintaining the dish’s vibrant profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg