Description
This Chipotle Honey Chicken and Rice Bake is a flavorful one-pan meal combining tender chicken thighs or breasts with smoky chipotle peppers, sweet honey, and a fragrant blend of spices. Baked alongside basmati rice and fresh zucchini, this dish offers a perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors for a comforting yet exciting dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 6 chicken thighs or breasts (skin on or off)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1-2 chopped chipotle in adobo
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- Sea salt, to taste
Rice and Vegetables
- 1 ¾ cups dry basmati rice
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 2 cups sliced/chopped zucchini
Sauce
- ½ cup honey
- 2-3 tbsp hot sauce
- 1-3 tsp cayenne pepper
- ¾ tsp chipotle chili powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the chicken and rice evenly.
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, grated parmesan, chopped chipotles in adobo, smoked paprika, onion powder, chopped garlic, lemon zest, and sea salt. Mix well and coat the chicken thighs or breasts thoroughly. Allow to marinate for 10-15 minutes for deeper flavor penetration.
- Prepare the rice and vegetables: Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. In a baking dish, mix the rinsed rice with butter, sliced zucchini, and half of the spice mixture including cayenne pepper, chipotle chili powder, and onion powder for seasoning.
- Assemble the dish: Place the marinated chicken pieces on top of the rice and zucchini mixture in the baking dish. Drizzle honey, hot sauce, and the remaining spices evenly over the chicken and rice to create a balanced sweet and spicy glaze.
- Bake the dish: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil or a lid and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
- Finish and serve: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to brown the tops slightly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the juices to redistribute for moist chicken.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce to control the spiciness according to your preference.
- Using chicken thighs provides more moisture and flavor, but breasts can be used for a leaner option.
- Covering the bake during most of the cooking process keeps the rice moist and the chicken tender.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
