Honey Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowls (Printable Version)

Smoky-sweet chipotle chicken over rice with beans, corn, avocado, and cilantro, finished with a zesty lime drizzle.

# Components:

→ Honey Chipotle Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons honey
04 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - juice of 1/2 lime

→ Bowl Base

11 - 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
12 - 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
13 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - 1/2 cup corn kernels, fresh, canned, or frozen
15 - 1/4 small red onion, finely diced
16 - 1 small avocado, sliced
17 - 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro

→ Lime Dressing (Optional)

18 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
19 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
20 - 1/2 teaspoon honey
21 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
22 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
23 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

# Preparation steps:

01 - In a small bowl, combine honey, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly season chicken breasts with additional salt and black pepper. Place chicken in the skillet and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
03 - Pour the honey chipotle marinade over the cooked chicken in the skillet, ensuring it is thoroughly coated. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to absorb flavors, then transfer to a cutting board and slice into thin strips.
04 - Divide the rice evenly between two bowls. Distribute black beans, cherry tomatoes, corn, red onion, avocado slices, and chopped cilantro over the rice in each bowl.
05 - In a small bowl, vigorously whisk together olive oil, lime juice, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
06 - Arrange the sliced honey chipotle chicken on top of the assembled bowls. Drizzle with lime dressing if desired. Serve fresh.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses ingredients you probably have on hand in your pantry and fridge
  • Comes together in just 25 minutes including prep and cooking
  • Easily customizable to be high-protein, low-carb, or vegetarian
  • Big bold flavors with smoky chipotle, sweet honey, and bright lime
02 -
  • Excellent source of protein and fiber per serving
  • Totally meal prep friendly for lunches all week
  • Adjusts easily to your preferred spice and tang levels
  • The chipotle in adobo sauce is honestly the MVP here I always buy an extra can to have ready just for these bowls
03 -
  • If using canned chipotle peppers freeze leftovers in a small jar so you can always add them to future dishes
  • Taste and adjust the dressing before adding to bowls sometimes a little extra lime makes everything pop
  • If making a crowd size batch keep toppings separate so everyone gets them just the way they like

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