Description
Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Bowls with Pineapple Salsa & Cilantro Rice are the ultimate flavor-packed dinner! Tender chicken is coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic glaze, served over fragrant cilantro rice, and topped with a fresh, zesty pineapple salsa for a delicious balance of heat, sweetness, and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Pineapple Salsa:
- 1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt, to taste
Cilantro Rice:
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Cook rice: In a saucepan, combine rice, water, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes. Fluff and stir in cilantro and lime juice. Set aside.
- Make pineapple salsa: In a bowl, combine pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Chill until ready to serve.
- Coat chicken pieces with cornstarch. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour sauce into skillet and toss with chicken. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes, until thick and sticky.
- Assemble bowls: Spoon cilantro rice into bowls, top with sticky honey garlic chicken, and finish with pineapple salsa.
Notes
- Use canned pineapple if fresh isn’t available—just drain well.
- Adjust spice level by increasing or omitting the jalapeño and red pepper flakes.
- Great for meal prep—store components separately and assemble before eating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: honey garlic chicken bowl, pineapple salsa, cilantro rice bowl, sticky chicken recipe, meal prep chicken bowls