Honey Lime Chicken Avocado Rice (Printable)

Zesty honey lime chicken over creamy avocado rice for a quick, flavorful dinner

# What You 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 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional, for heat)

→ Avocado Rice

10 - 1½ cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
11 - 3 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
13 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
16 - ½ teaspoon salt
17 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Garnish (optional)

18 - Extra lime wedges
19 - Thinly sliced green onions
20 - Fresh cilantro leaves

# How To Make It:

01 - Whisk together honey, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and chili powder in a bowl. Add chicken breasts and coat thoroughly. Cover and marinate for at least 15 minutes, 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 marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer to a plate and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
04 - In a large bowl, gently combine cooked rice, diced avocados, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Fold carefully to distribute ingredients evenly without mashing the avocado pieces.
05 - Plate the avocado rice and top with sliced honey lime chicken. Garnish with lime wedges, green onions, or fresh cilantro leaves as desired. Serve immediately while chicken is still warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The honey lime marinade creates a gorgeous golden crust that tastes like something from a restaurant
  • Avocado rice turns plain rice into something creamy and indulgent without any heavy cream
  • Everything comes together in under an hour but tastes like you spent all day cooking
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest for those 5 minutes makes a huge difference in juiciness
  • The honey in the marinade will brown quickly so keep an eye on the heat and adjust if needed
  • Dice your avocados right before mixing into the rice so they do not brown
03 -
  • Pound your chicken breasts to an even thickness so they cook at the same rate
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one for the best golden crust on the chicken

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