Chili Crunch Honey Chicken Bowls (Easy Meal Prep Recipe)
These chili crunch honey chicken bowls marinate chicken in a chili crunch honey soy sauce, serve it over rice with a fresh cucumber avocado feta salad and yogurt garlic sauce. Ready in 30 minutes.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Marinate Time2 hours hrs
Servings: 6
Calories: 481kcal
For the Chili Crunch Honey Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts, tenders, or drumsticks; if using chicken breasts, slice them in half lengthwise for quicker cooking and maximum flavor)
- 2 tablespoons chili crunch oil
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons salt
For the Cucumber Avocado Salad
- 4 mini cucumbers diced
- 2 avocados diced, ripe but firm
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup optional, for balancing acidity
For Yogurt Garlic Sauce, Optional
- 1 cup whole milk Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove grated
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon water plus more as needed
Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl or zip-top bag, whisk together the chili crunch oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
Make the Cucumber Avocado Salad
In a medium bowl, combine the cucumbers, avocado, feta, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional honey. Toss gently and taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Make the Yogurt Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, grated garlic, and salt until smooth. Add water one tablespoon at a time until the sauce reaches a drizzleable consistency.
- Marinate the chicken overnight for maximum flavor.
- Chicken thighs stay the juiciest, but chicken breasts work well for a leaner option.
- Adjust the amount of chili crunch based on your preferred spice level.
- Use ripe but firm avocados so they hold their shape in the salad.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover chicken, rice, and salad separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Meal Prep Tip
For the best texture, prepare the salad fresh or add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning. The chicken and rice can be made up to 4 days in advance, making these bowls perfect for meal prep lunches.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken and rice in the microwave until warmed through. Add the chilled cucumber avocado salad after reheating and top with additional chili crunch before serving.
Calories: 481kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 1312mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 14g