Description
This Honey Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowl is a flavorful and healthy meal that combines juicy, smoky chicken with a sweet and spicy honey chipotle marinade. Served over a bed of rice and topped with black beans, corn, avocado, and fresh cilantro, it’s a perfect balanced dish for lunch or dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s ideal for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner with a Mexican-inspired twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Bowls Toppings & Base
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, honey, lime juice, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt until thoroughly combined, creating a balanced sweet and smoky sauce.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs or breasts in the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse, or up to 4 hours for maximum taste.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot. Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and develops a slightly charred, smoky crust.
- Rest and Slice: Remove chicken from heat and let it rest for a few minutes to retain juices. Then slice the chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces for easy serving.
- Assemble the Rice Bowls: Divide the cooked rice evenly among 4 bowls. Top with sliced chicken, black beans, corn, avocado slices, and sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro.
- Serve: Add lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the bowl to add a fresh citrus zing right before eating.
Notes
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or fewer chipotle peppers according to your taste preference.
- Try adding shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, or a drizzle of sour cream as extra toppings for added texture and flavor.
- For a low-carb alternative, substitute the rice with cauliflower rice while keeping the rest of the ingredients the same.
- Leftover chicken and toppings store well in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making this a great meal prep option.
