Description
Spicy and tangy hot honey mustard chicken bowls bring Mediterranean-inspired flavors to your dinner table. Perfectly balanced ingredients create a delightful meal sure to satisfy your cravings and transport you to coastal culinary bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup baby spinach or mixed greens
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables and Grains:
- 2 cups cooked quinoa (or brown rice)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Optional garnish: chopped green onions or parsley
Instructions
- Combine Dijon mustard, honey, hot sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a mixing container to create a vibrant marinade with balanced sweet and spicy notes.
- Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in the prepared marinade, ensuring each morsel is generously covered and infused with flavor. Refrigerate for 15-60 minutes to enhance taste absorption.
- Preheat a large skillet to medium-high temperature, allowing the surface to become hot and ready for searing.
- Transfer marinated chicken into the skillet, including any remaining sauce, and cook while stirring periodically. Sauté until chicken develops a golden caramelized exterior and reaches complete internal doneness, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Layer fluffy quinoa as the foundational base in serving bowls, creating a nutritious canvas for the remaining ingredients.
- Artfully arrange crisp cherry tomatoes, vibrant red bell pepper slices, and fresh baby spinach or mixed greens atop the quinoa, adding color and nutritional variety.
- Strategically position sliced avocado over the vegetable layer, introducing creamy texture and healthy fats.
- Carefully distribute the hot, caramelized honey mustard chicken across the prepared bowls, ensuring even coverage.
- Drizzle any residual pan sauce over the dish to maximize flavor intensity.
- Optional: Garnish with finely chopped green onions or parsley for a fresh, aromatic finish. Serve immediately while ingredients remain warm and texturally appealing.
Notes
- Boost marinade flavor by letting chicken sit longer, up to 1 hour in the refrigerator for deeper taste absorption.
- Prevent chicken dryness by using meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F without overcooking.
- Swap quinoa for cauliflower rice to create low-carb version perfect for keto or paleo dieters.
- Enhance protein variety by substituting chicken with tofu or tempeh for vegetarian-friendly alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg