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- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - 1/4 cup honey - 2 tablespoons lime juice - 1 tablespoon soy sauce - 1 teaspoon minced garlic - 1 teaspoon ground cumin - 1 ripe avocado, diced - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup jasmine rice - 2 cups chicken broth (or water) - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh cilantro for garnish When making Honey Lime Chicken Avocado Rice, I focus on fresh and simple ingredients. Each item plays a key role in making this dish flavorful and satisfying. The chicken breasts are the star. They soak up the honey-lime marinade, which adds sweetness and zest. Honey gives a rich flavor, while lime juice brightens every bite. The soy sauce adds depth, and garlic provides a savory note. For the rice, jasmine rice is my go-to. It cooks fluffy and fragrant. Pairing it with chicken broth enhances the flavor. The salad includes ripe avocado, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. They add color, crunch, and freshness. Finally, fresh cilantro on top brightens the dish and adds a pop of green. Using these fresh ingredients makes this meal healthy and delicious. It’s simple, yet full of flavor. You can easily find these items at your local grocery store. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, gather your marinade ingredients. In a shallow dish, mix the honey, lime juice, soy sauce, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. This blend creates a sweet and tangy flavor. Next, add the chicken breasts to the dish. Make sure they are coated well with the marinade. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. For the best flavor, let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, marinate for up to 2 hours. While the chicken marinates, rinse the jasmine rice in cold water. Rinsing removes excess starch and keeps the rice fluffy. After rinsing, bring chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the rinsed rice to the boiling broth. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes. When the rice is done, remove it from heat and let it sit covered for another 5 minutes. This step helps the rice absorb any remaining liquid. Now it’s time to cook the chicken. Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any leftover marinade. Place the chicken in the hot pan. Cook it for about 6-7 minutes on each side. You want nice grill marks and the chicken to be cooked through. Once done, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it. Resting helps keep the chicken juicy. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, diced avocado, finely chopped red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes. Mix gently to avoid mashing the avocado. This salad adds fresh flavors and textures. For more zing, drizzle a splash of lime juice over the salad. This will brighten all the flavors. To serve, take a plate and layer the avocado rice mixture. On top, place the sliced honey lime chicken. Finally, garnish your dish with fresh cilantro. This adds a pop of color and freshness. Enjoy your meal! - Ensuring juicy chicken: Marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, let it sit for up to 2 hours. This adds flavor and helps keep the chicken moist. - Perfect rice texture: Rinse the jasmine rice until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and keeps the rice from being sticky. Cook it in chicken broth for added flavor, and let it sit covered for 5 minutes after cooking. - Suggested spices for sautéing: Try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the chicken marinade. It adds a nice depth to the flavor. - Additional toppings for serving: You can add crumbled feta cheese or sliced jalapeños to the dish. These toppings give an extra kick and a burst of flavor. - Creative serving ideas: Use large bowls to serve the rice salad. Layer the chicken on top for a beautiful display. You can also make individual portions for a fun touch. - Using colorful dishes: Serve in vibrant plates or bowls to make the dish pop. The colors of the avocado, tomatoes, and cilantro look great against a bright background. Pro Tips Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate deeply, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful dish. Perfectly Cooked Rice: Always rinse jasmine rice to remove excess starch, which helps achieve a fluffy texture. Following the simmering time, let it rest covered to further enhance its texture. Rest Your Chicken: Allowing the grilled chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing helps retain its juices, ensuring every bite is tender and moist. Customize Your Salad: Feel free to add other ingredients like corn, black beans, or bell peppers to the avocado rice mixture for added flavor and nutrition. {{image_2}} You can switch out the chicken for other proteins. Tofu works great for a plant-based meal. If you love seafood, try grilled fish. Both options will absorb the tasty marinade. When it comes to rice, jasmine rice is a classic choice. However, you can use brown rice for a heartier option. Quinoa is also a fun substitute. It adds a nice texture and boosts protein. Want to change the flavor? Add a bit of heat! Mix in some red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicy kick. For a sweeter twist, use more honey or add pineapple chunks. Feel free to play with herbs and spices. Cilantro adds freshness. You could also try fresh basil or mint for a unique touch. Experiment and find what you love! You can make this dish even better with extra veggies. Bell peppers, corn, or zucchini add color and flavor. Just chop them up and toss them in. For a crunchy bite, add nuts or seeds. Sliced almonds or pumpkin seeds bring a nice texture. They also boost nutrition. Get creative and make this meal your own! To keep your Honey Lime Chicken Avocado Rice fresh, store it in an airtight container. This method prevents air from drying out your food. You can place the chicken and rice salad in separate containers. This keeps the flavors intact. The maximum shelf life for this dish in the fridge is about three days. After that, the avocado may brown and lose its fresh taste. When you're ready to eat leftovers, avoid drying them out. You can reheat the chicken in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist. For the rice salad, warm it in the microwave. Cover it with a damp paper towel to trap steam. This helps maintain flavor and texture. If the salad feels dry, add a bit of lime juice before serving. Enjoy your tasty meal again! You can use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey. Both will add sweetness. Maple syrup offers a rich flavor, while agave is milder. You may also try brown sugar mixed with water. It gives a caramel-like taste. Adjust the amount based on your taste. Yes, you can meal prep this dish! Store the chicken and rice in separate containers. Keep the avocado salad in a different container to avoid browning. This dish stays fresh in the fridge for up to four days. You can reheat the chicken and rice when ready to eat. To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. It has a similar taste without gluten. For the rice, stick with jasmine or brown rice. Both are naturally gluten-free and great options. Ensure all ingredients are labeled gluten-free. This dish pairs well with a simple green salad. You can also serve it with grilled vegetables for added flavor. A side of corn on the cob adds sweetness too. Try serving with tortilla chips and salsa for a fun twist! This dish has about 400 calories per serving. The chicken and rice provide great protein and carbs. The avocado adds healthy fats. To manage calories, adjust your portion size. Enjoy this meal without worrying too much about calories! This recipe for Honey Lime Chicken with Avocado Rice is fun and easy to make. You learned how to marinate chicken, cook jasmine rice, and create a tasty salad. With helpful tips for cooking and serving, this dish is sure to impress. Feel free to mix in your favorite ingredients and explore different flavors. Enjoy your meal and impress your friends or family with this colorful and tasty dish!

Honey Lime Chicken Avocado Rice

A delicious and refreshing dish featuring marinated chicken served over a bed of avocado rice salad.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 0.25 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 1 cup jasmine rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth (or water)
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced
  • 0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • for garnish fresh cilantro

Instructions
 

  • In a shallow dish, whisk together honey, lime juice, soy sauce, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken breasts, coating them well. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for more flavor).
  • Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add the rinsed rice, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked and has absorbed the liquid. Remove from heat and let it sit covered for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Heat a grill pan or a skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade (discard excess marinade) and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, diced avocado, finely chopped red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes. Gently mix until well combined. You can add a splash of lime juice for extra zest if desired.
  • On a serving plate, layer the avocado rice mixture and top with sliced honey lime chicken. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a pop of color and freshness.

Notes

Serve with additional cilantro and lime wedges for garnish.
Keyword avocado, chicken, honey, lime, rice