Description
Hot Honey Chicken Bowls combine crispy chicken with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce, served with fresh vegetables and your choice of base. This flavorful and balanced dish is quick to prepare and perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko for extra crunch)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to your preferred spice level)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (optional, for tanginess)
- 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots (optional)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Lime wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into smaller pieces, about 1 to 1.5 inches in size, for easy portioning and crispiness. In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, beat the egg. In a third bowl, add the breadcrumbs. Dredge each piece of chicken first in the seasoned flour, then dip it into the egg, and finally coat it with breadcrumbs. Press down slightly to ensure the breadcrumbs stick.
- Fry the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C). Once cooked, remove from the pan and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Make the hot honey sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey, hot sauce, and apple cider vinegar (if using). Stir until everything is well mixed and heated through. Taste and adjust the amount of hot sauce to your preferred spice level.
- Assemble the bowls: Start with a base of cooked rice in each bowl. Top with the crispy chicken pieces. Drizzle the hot honey sauce generously over the chicken. Add fresh toppings like diced cucumber, red onion, and shredded carrots (if using). Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice for a burst of freshness.
- Serve: Serve the Hot Honey Chicken Bowls immediately, while the chicken is still crispy and the sauce is warm.
Notes
- Spicy version: Add more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the hot honey sauce to increase the heat.
- Vegetarian version: Swap the chicken for crispy tofu or tempeh for a plant-based option.
- Add more veggies: You can add additional vegetables to the bowl, such as avocado, bell peppers, or leafy greens like spinach or arugula.
- Grilled chicken: For a lighter version, you can grill the chicken instead of frying it. Simply season and grill until cooked through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
