Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls

Short, Catchy Intro

So you are craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen huh Same. Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls are your buddy when you want big flavor with minimal drama. If you love one bowl meals check out this tasty chicken alfredo garlic bread bowls for more comfort food vibes and inspiration.

This recipe gives you sticky sweet sauce garlic punch and juicy chicken all over rice or veggies It is fast enough for a weeknight and fancy enough to impress your neighbor or your cat

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Why is this awesome Simple answer It delivers on taste without turning your kitchen into a second job

• It is ridiculously forgiving so even if you get distracted by your phone you will still get dinner on the table.
• Sauce cooks fast and gets gloriously sticky which means you get that restaurant vibe with way less effort.
• You can swap rice for greens or ramen and it still behaves like a hero meal.

Want a slightly different twist Try the honey garlic variation if you are in a mood to experiment But honestly this original will make you very happy

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 lbs chicken breast or thighs diced because cubes are fun to eat
• 1/3 cup soy sauce salty goodness
• 1/4 cup honey because sweetness is the main character
• 4 cloves garlic minced yes really use all four
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar bright tang to cut the sweet
• 1 tbsp cornstarch to make that sauce cling
• 2 green onions sliced for pretty green bits
• Sesame seeds for garnish optional but classy
• Red pepper flakes for added heat optional if you like it spicy
• Broccoli florets for extra veggies optional and smart
• Brown sugar for a richer sauce optional if you want deeper caramel notes
• Bell peppers for a pop of color optional and cheerful

Tip If you like extra sauce double the sauce ingredients and whisk an extra teaspoon of cornstarch

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Marinate diced chicken with soy sauce and minced garlic for at least 30 minutes. Keep it in the fridge and walk away do not overthink.
2. Prepare a sauce by mixing honey rice vinegar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth no lumps allowed.
3. Heat oil in a large pan over medium high heat then cook marinated chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Work in batches if needed do not crowd the pan.
4. Remove the chicken and make garlic sauce in the same pan. Add a touch more oil if the pan looks sad then pour in your honey mixture and stir.
5. Simmer until thickened then coat the chicken in the sauce tossing like you mean it. The cornstarch will do its magic and the sauce will cling.
6. Serve chicken over steamed rice or your favorite base then garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Add red pepper flakes if you want to feel alive.

Quick pro move Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime or a drizzle of toasted sesame oil for extra oomph

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skimping on garlic Are you serious Use the garlic it is the point here
• Overcrowding the pan That makes the chicken steam and nobody wants boiled chicken
• Skipping the cornstarch If you want runny sauce and regret then by all means skip it
• Not tasting the sauce Adjust sweetness salt and acidity as you go It is cooking not a test
• Marinating for five minutes and calling it a day Give the chicken at least 30 minutes for actual flavor benefit

Alternatives & Substitutions

• No chicken thighs Try breast if you prefer leaner meat Chicken breast cooks quicker so watch the time
• No soy sauce Use tamari for gluten free or a low sodium soy to keep things mellow
• No honey Maple syrup works fine for a slightly different flavor profile FYI it will be less floral and more earthy
• Want veg heavy Add broccoli bell peppers or snap peas and toss them in the pan for a few minutes so they stay crisp
• Prefer less sugar Use half the honey and a splash more rice vinegar to keep balance

If you want a recipe that leans more toward classic styling check out this classic honey garlic chicken recipe for ideas and swaps I like mixing ideas from different versions to keep things exciting

FAQ

Q Why should I use rice vinegar Can I use regular vinegar instead?
A You can but rice vinegar is milder and blends better with honey It keeps the sauce bright not punchy If you use white vinegar use less and taste as you go

Q Can I meal prep this ahead of time Will it still be good?
A Totally Yes store chicken and sauce separately in the fridge for up to four days Reheat gently and add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much

Q Can I use frozen chicken Sure right?
A Sure just thaw it completely first Pat it dry so it sears properly Otherwise you get sad steam instead of golden edges

Q Is cornstarch necessary Why not flour?
A Cornstarch gives that glossy restaurant sheen and thickens quickly Flour can work but you need more and the sauce will look different so cornstarch is preferred

Q Can I make this spicy without ruining the sweet balance?
A Absolutely Add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha Taste and adjust You want heat but not a sugar meltdown

Q What if I want this gluten free Any swaps?
A Use tamari or a certified gluten free soy sauce and double check other ingredients like any stock you add You are good to go

Q Can I toss this on a salad instead of rice?
A For sure That is practically health food now Add chopped raw veggies for crunch and you have a meal that feels fancy and responsible

Final Thoughts

This is one of those recipes that looks like you worked hard but is actually low effort What more could we want Serve it over rice cauliflower rice or a bed of greens and you will have winners on your hands every time Keep the sauce balanced between sweet and tangy and do not forget the garlic It makes the dish sing

Now go impress someone or yourself with this sticky sweet garlic chicken You have earned it

Conclusion

If you want another take on honey garlic chicken with slightly different ratios and tips check out this version from a trusted source for additional inspiration Honey Garlic Chicken – Erin Lives Whole

Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls

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• Author: admin
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten-Free

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Description

A quick and tasty one bowl meal featuring marinated chicken in a sticky honey garlic sauce, served over rice or veggies.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs chicken breast or thighs, diced
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
• Red pepper flakes, for added heat (optional)
• Broccoli florets (optional)
• Brown sugar (optional)
• Bell peppers (optional)

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Instructions

1. Marinate diced chicken with soy sauce and minced garlic for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
2. Prepare a sauce by mixing honey, rice vinegar, and cornstarch in a small bowl; whisk until smooth.
3. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat and cook marinated chicken until golden brown and cooked through.
4. Remove the chicken and make the garlic sauce in the same pan; add more oil if needed, then pour in the honey mixture and stir.
5. Simmer until thickened, then coat the chicken in the sauce.
6. Serve chicken over steamed rice or your favorite base and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

For extra sauce, double the sauce ingredients and whisk in an extra teaspoon of cornstarch. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime or a drizzle of toasted sesame oil for extra flavor.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: chicken, honey garlic, quick meal, one bowl meal, weeknight dinner