Description
Spicy-sweet honey chipotle chicken bowls deliver a Mexican-inspired culinary adventure that dances between zesty and smooth flavor profiles. Hearty rice, tender chicken, and bold chipotle sauce combine for a meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Honey Chipotle Chicken:
Proteins
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts
Sauces and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce plus 1 tablespoon sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Avocado Corn Salsa:
Vegetables
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) grilled fresh or frozen corn
- 1 avocado, peeled and diced
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For Serving:
Base
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) cooked rice
Toppings
- Crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese
- Lime wedges and cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare a zesty marinade by blending honey, chipotle peppers, and complementary seasonings, thoroughly coating chicken pieces in a sealed container for 1-4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat around 400-425F, lightly oil grates to prevent sticking, and cook marinated chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165F, ensuring even charring and juicy texture.
- While chicken cooks, craft a vibrant salsa by dicing fresh corn kernels, ripe avocado, spicy jalapeño, and fragrant cilantro, then tossing with tangy lime juice and delicate seasonings to create a bright, balanced accompaniment.
- After grilling, allow chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness before slicing against the grain.
- Construct colorful rice bowls by spreading a foundation of fluffy rice, layering sliced grilled chicken, generously topping with freshly prepared salsa, sprinkling crumbled cheese, and garnishing with additional cilantro and lime wedges for a burst of flavor.
Notes
- Swap honey for agave or maple syrup to create vegan-friendly or alternative sweetener options that maintain the dish’s signature sweet-spicy profile.
- Replace chicken with tofu, tempeh, or plant-based chicken alternatives for vegetarian and diverse dietary preferences without compromising flavor complexity.
- Adjust chipotle pepper quantity to manage heat levels, using less for mild palates or adding extra for intense spice lovers seeking a fiery experience.
- Marinate chicken overnight for deeper flavor penetration and consider batch cooking to create quick meal prep options for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg