Description

Learn how to make delicious and healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls! These vibrant bowls are packed with juicy chicken glazed in a sweet and spicy sauce, alongside colorful vegetables and a base of rice or quinoa.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Hot Honey Chicken:

1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
⅓ cup honey
¼ cup sriracha (or your preferred hot sauce)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

For the Bowls:

2 medium zucchini, sliced
1 medium summer squash, sliced
1 ½ cups shredded carrots
1 medium avocado, sliced
2 cups cooked rice (or quinoa)
1 medium lime, cut into wedges
½ cup healthy ranch dressing (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Chicken: Setting the Stage for Cooking

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare Chicken (Optional): If desired, you can pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for more uniform cooking.

2. Cook the Chicken: Searing for Flavor

Heat Oil: Heat the avocado oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
Sear Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Tip: Don’t overcrowd the skillet. Work in batches if necessary.
- Check for Doneness: The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).

3. Make the Hot Honey Sauce: A Sweet and Spicy Blend

Combine Ingredients: While the chicken is cooking, combine the honey, sriracha (or hot sauce), minced garlic, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), and crushed red pepper (if using) in a small bowl.
Whisk: Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined and form a smooth sauce.
Reserve Sauce: Set aside 2 tablespoons of the hot honey sauce for later use.

4. Add Vegetables and Sauce: Bringing it All Together

Remove Chicken from Heat: Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the skillet from the heat.
Add Vegetables: Add the sliced zucchini and summer squash to the skillet, arranging them around the chicken breasts.
Pour Sauce: Pour the prepared hot honey sauce over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring that the chicken is well coated and the sauce drizzles over the squash and zucchini.

5. Bake in the Oven: Finishing the Dish

Transfer to Oven: Carefully transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven.
Bake: Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.
- Tip: You can use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Stir Vegetables: About halfway through the baking time, carefully remove the skillet from the oven and give the vegetables a good stir to ensure they cook evenly.

6. Prepare Chicken and Assemble Bowls: The Final Touches

Cool Slightly: Remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes.
Cube Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and cut them into bite-sized cubes.
Toss with Reserved Sauce: Toss the cubed chicken with the 2 tablespoons of reserved hot honey sauce.
Assemble Bowls: Divide the cooked rice (or quinoa) among individual bowls. Top with the roasted zucchini and summer squash, shredded carrots, avocado slices, and the hot honey chicken.
Add Lime and Dressing: Squeeze fresh lime juice over each bowl and drizzle with healthy ranch dressing, if desired.

7. Serve and Enjoy: A Delicious and Healthy Meal

Serve Immediately: Serve the Hot Honey Chicken Bowls immediately while they’re warm and the flavors are at their peak.