Hot Honey Chicken Bowls Recipe

Did you know that the combination of honey and spicy elements has roots in various cuisines around the world? This Hot Honey Chicken Bowl recipe brings together these flavors in a simple, yet delicious way. You’ll soon discover how easy it is to create a meal that’s both satisfying and versatile. Want to learn how to prepare this dish and customize it to your taste? Let’s get started on making a delicious meal!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re looking for a delicious meal that combines sweet and spicy flavors, you’ll love this Hot Honey Chicken Bowl recipe. It offers a perfect balance of sweetness from honey and spiciness from sriracha, garlic, and spices. With each serving providing 37 grams of protein, this dish is not only flavorful but also nourishing. You can easily adjust the hot honey sauce to fit your taste. With just 5 to 10 minutes of prep time and a total cook time of 35 to 40 minutes, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

It’s also versatile; you can customize it with different vegetables and toppings like avocado or crispy fried onions. Plus, it provides a good source of protein and can be made gluten-free, making it suitable for various dietary needs.

Enjoy!

History

Hot honey chicken bowls have a fascinating history that reflects the rich culinary traditions of the South, particularly Nashville, Tennessee. This dish is rooted in the famous Nashville hot chicken, known for its spicy kick.

The addition of honey adds a sweet twist, inspired by the trend of mixing sweet and savory flavors in Southern cooking. You might also notice influences from Chinese-American dishes, like General Tso’s chicken, which popularized the sweet and spicy combination. Hot honey sauce is a key component in many recipes and enhances the dish’s unique flavor profile.

Over time, various recipes have adapted this dish, incorporating different cooking methods and ingredients. Some versions even draw from global cuisines, like Vietnamese-style hot honey grilled chicken, showcasing the dish’s versatility and the ongoing innovation in the kitchen.

Recipe

Ingredients:
– 1 1/4 pounds boneless chicken breasts
– 2-3 tablespoons sriracha or hot sauce
– 1/3 cup honey
– 2 teaspoons freshly minced garlic
– 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
– 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
– Zucchini, summer squash, and shredded carrots (for added texture and nutrition)
– Rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice (as the base)
– Roasted vegetables, sliced avocado, and lime (for topping)

Cooking Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. While the oven heats, prepare the hot honey sauce by mixing together the sriracha, honey, minced garlic, cayenne, and crushed red pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add a small amount of oil and then place the boneless chicken breasts in the skillet. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side, until it’s browned and nearly cooked through.
Transfer the partially cooked chicken to a baking dish and pour the hot honey sauce over the top, ensuring the chicken is well coated. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Once cooked, switch the oven to broil and broil the chicken for an additional 3-5 minutes to caramelize the sauce. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
After broiling, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice the chicken and serve it over your choice of rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. Top with your chosen vegetables and a squeeze of lime for added freshness.

When cooking Hot Honey Chicken Bowls, feel free to experiment with different vegetables and toppings to suit your taste. The dish was inspired by a girls trip to LA and discovered at Sweetgreen, leading to its popularity as a home recipe. You can roast sweet potatoes on the side for added nutrition, or whip up a tangy slaw with red cabbage and carrots to complement the dish.

The hot honey sauce can also be adjusted with various hot sauces if you prefer a different flavor or heat level.

Enjoy your flavorful meal!

Final Thoughts

When you make Hot Honey Chicken Bowls, you’ll discover a delicious balance of flavors that can easily become a staple in your meal rotation. This dish isn’t only tasty but also nutritious, offering a good source of protein and iron. Additionally, the high iron content makes it particularly beneficial for individuals with specific dietary needs. You can customize the recipe to suit your taste, adjusting the heat level with different spices or adding vegetables like sweet potatoes and zucchini for extra nutrition. It’s quick to prepare, taking about 20 minutes, and it stores well in the fridge or freezer for meal prep.

FAQ

Are you curious about how to make the most of your Hot Honey Chicken Bowls? Preparation time generally ranges from just 5 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on how detailed your recipe is.

You can use a skillet, oven, air fryer, or slow cooker to cook the chicken and veggies. Key ingredients include boneless chicken, honey, hot sauce, and spices. You can adjust spice levels to your taste and substitute ingredients easily. Slow cooker is the recommended method for cooking the chicken to ensure tenderness and flavor.

After cooking, bowls can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for three months. Reheat them in the microwave or oven when you’re ready to eat, and assemble the bowls just before serving for the best texture and flavor.