The Perfect Weeknight Dinner
We all have those days where the last thing we want to do is spend an hour in the kitchen. When you need something fast, healthy, and satisfying, these Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls are a total lifesaver.
It is simple, comforting, and packs enough flavor to keep the whole family happy without the stress of complicated prep.
Here’s what makes this recipe work.
Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls
You probably already have many of these staples in your pantry. Keep it simple and stress-free!
- 1 1/4 cups dry minute rice (brown or white)
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 24-28 oz broccoli florets
- 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (optional)
- 3 teaspoons cornstarch
- 8 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- Green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls
Prepare Your Base
Start by cooking your rice according to the package instructions. Having your rice ready to go makes the rest of this meal come together in a flash.
Sear the Chicken
Pat your chicken dry with a paper towel and toss with the salt. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until it is golden brown and reaches 160-165°F.
This is where it comes together.
Char the Broccoli
Remove the chicken to a clean plate. Add a little more oil to the skillet and toss in your broccoli. Let it sit undisturbed for a few minutes so it gets those perfect charred edges, then stir until bright green and crisp-tender.
Create the Sauce
Whisk together the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Remove the broccoli from the pan, lower the heat to medium, and sauté the garlic for about one minute until it smells amazing.
Now it starts to smell amazing.
Simmer and Assemble
Stir your sauce mixture into the pan and simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens into a glossy glaze. Toss the chicken back in to coat, then serve everything over bowls of warm rice. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds for a professional finish.
Tips for Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls
The Perfect Texture
Don’t crowd your pan when cooking the chicken. Giving the pieces space allows them to sear nicely rather than steaming in the pan.
Customize Your Veggies
This sauce is incredibly versatile. If you don’t have broccoli on hand, feel free to swap it for snap peas, bell peppers, or even zucchini.
Why You’ll Love Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls
- Incredibly easy to whip up after work.
- Budget-friendly ingredients you likely have already.
- Perfect for meal prep to save time throughout the week.
- A guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.
Final Thoughts on Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls
Making a delicious, restaurant-quality meal at home doesn’t have to be a chore. These bowls prove that you can keep things simple, fresh, and tasty without spending your whole evening in the kitchen. Enjoy your dinner!
Easy Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups dry minute rice
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 24-28 oz broccoli florets
- 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 3 teaspoons cornstarch
- 8 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- Green onions for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to the package instructions.
- Pat chicken dry and toss with salt.
- Heat one tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until cooked through (160-165°F), then set aside.
- Add remaining oil to the skillet and sear broccoli until charred and crisp-tender, then remove.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, and cornstarch.
- Sauté garlic in the skillet for one minute.
- Pour in the sauce mixture and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Add the chicken back into the skillet to coat in the glaze.
- Serve the chicken and broccoli over bowls of rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.