Honey Lime Chicken With Avocado Rice (Printable)
Zesty honey lime chicken paired with creamy avocado rice for a quick, satisfying meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 - 3 tablespoons honey
03 - 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
04 - 2 teaspoons lime zest
05 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 2 garlic cloves minced
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for heat)
→ Avocado Rice
10 - 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
11 - 3 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
13 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Garnish (optional)
18 - Extra lime wedges
19 - Thinly sliced green onions
20 - Fresh cilantro leaves
# Directions:
01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and chili powder if using. Add chicken breasts and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - Prepare rice according to package instructions using water or chicken broth for enhanced flavor. Once cooked, fluff with a fork and allow to cool slightly before combining with other ingredients.
03 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off, and place in the hot pan. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
04 - In a large bowl, gently combine the cooked rice with diced avocados, chopped cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss carefully with a spoon to avoid mashing the avocado pieces.
05 - Slice the rested chicken breasts. Serve the sliced honey lime chicken over portions of the avocado rice mixture. Garnish with lime wedges, sliced green onions, or fresh cilantro leaves as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The honey and lime create this gorgeous sticky glaze that makes even simple chicken feel special
- Avocado rice sounds unusual but trust me, it is the creamy comfort you never knew you needed
02 -
- The honey can burn quickly if your heat is too high, so keep it at medium and watch closely
- Dice your avocado right before mixing it into the rice to prevent it from browning
03 -
- Pound your chicken to even thickness before marinating for the most tender results
- Let the chicken rest after cooking, those juices need time to redistribute