Honey Lime Chicken With Avocado Rice (Print Version)

Tender honey lime chicken over creamy avocado rice with fresh herbs—a bright, flavorful weeknight meal ready in 45 minutes.

# What You'll 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)

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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

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 infusion.
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 let 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 incorporate ingredients without mashing the avocado pieces.
05 - Arrange sliced honey lime chicken over a bed of avocado rice. Garnish with lime wedges, green onions, or fresh cilantro leaves as desired. Serve immediately while chicken is still warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The marinade comes together in minutes but tastes like you planned all day
  • Avocado rice transforms plain rice into something creamy and extraordinary
  • The whole meal feels bright and fresh even on the busiest weeknights
02 -
  • The chicken continues cooking after you remove it from the pan, so don't overcook
  • Avocado rice is best served immediately but the lime juice helps keep it fresh
  • If the marinade seems too thick, warm it slightly for 10 seconds in the microwave
03 -
  • Pound the chicken to even thickness before marinating for uniform cooking
  • Let chicken rest at least 5 minutes so the juices redistribute throughout the meat

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