Honey Lime Chicken Avocado Rice (Printable)

Zesty marinated chicken served over fluffy rice with fresh avocado and colorful vegetables

# What You Need:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp honey
04 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
05 - 1 tsp lime zest
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 tsp chili powder
08 - ½ tsp ground cumin
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ For the Rice

11 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
12 - 2 cups water or chicken broth
13 - ½ tsp salt

→ For the Bowl

14 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
15 - ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
17 - ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
18 - Lime wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, lime juice, lime zest, garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken, turning to coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or refrigerate up to 2 hours for deeper flavor infusion.
02 - Combine rice, water or broth, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and set aside covered.
03 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly across the grain.
04 - Divide the fluffy rice evenly among four serving bowls. Arrange sliced chicken, diced avocado, cherry tomato halves, red onion, and fresh cilantro on top of each bowl. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
05 - For enhanced flavor, drizzle additional honey and fresh lime juice over the assembled bowls just before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The honey lime marinade creates this incredible caramelized crust while keeping the chicken juicy inside
  • Everything comes together in under 45 minutes but tastes like you spent all day cooking
  • Its one of those meals where everyone customizes their own bowl, so no complaining about toppings
02 -
  • Pat the chicken dry before cooking to get a nice caramelized exterior
  • Let the chicken rest before slicing or all those juices will run out onto your cutting board
  • The rice absorbs flavors better if its still slightly warm when you assemble the bowls
03 -
  • If your chicken breasts are uneven thickness, pound them to an even thickness before marinating
  • Extra honey lime mixture makes a great drizzle over the finished bowls

Go Back