Honey Lime Chicken With Avocado Rice (Printable Version)
Zesty honey lime chicken meets creamy avocado rice for a fresh, satisfying meal ready in under an hour.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 - 3 tablespoons honey
03 - 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (approximately 2 limes)
04 - 2 teaspoons lime zest
05 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
→ Avocado Rice
10 - 1½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice
11 - 3 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
13 - ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
16 - ½ teaspoon salt
17 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Garnish
18 - Fresh lime wedges
19 - Thinly sliced green onions
20 - Fresh cilantro leaves
# How To Make:
01 - Whisk together honey, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and chili powder in a bowl until fully combined. Add chicken breasts and turn to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor penetration.
02 - Prepare rice according to package directions using water or chicken broth for added depth. 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 marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
04 - Combine cooked rice, diced avocados, chopped cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Gently fold together until evenly mixed, taking care not to crush the avocado pieces.
05 - Spoon avocado rice onto serving plates and top with sliced honey lime chicken. Garnish with fresh lime wedges, green onions, and additional cilantro leaves as desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The honey and lime create this incredible sweet-tangy glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the chicken
- Avocado rice sounds unusual but the creamy avocado melts into warm rice like magic
- Everything comes together in under an hour with minimal cleanup
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest for five minutes after cooking keeps it juicy and tender
- The avocado rice tastes best at room temperature, so do not refrigerate it before serving
03 -
- Grilling the chicken adds smoky depth that pairs beautifully with the fresh lime
- Use the back of a spoon to press lime zest into the sugar before mixing to release essential oils