Honey Garlic Chicken Over Rice Recipe

Bring the flavor of the Chinese buffet home with quick and easy honey garlic chicken over rice. 

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During the COVID lockdowns, we stopped going out to eat for a while. We rarely did to begin with, but that stopped for us for a long time. Occasionally, we would order food to be delivered or for pickup. One of the places we used to go to often was a Chinese buffet close by. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any options for food pickup or anything, so we resorted to making our own at home. 

One of the dishes I liked was a honey garlic chicken recipe. It was sweet, but with a slight tang to it that I couldn’t quite place. We tried a few different combinations and finally found one that worked! It isn’t perfect, and I’m anxiously awaiting the buffet reopening. But, it at least gets us close to that taste at home until the next time we can go in. 

Honey garlic chicken is an easy dinner, only needs one pan, and is done in under 30 minutes. Those are my favorite type of meals since we are often busy on weeknights and I hate cleaning a lot of dishes. Since the chicken doesn’t take long to cook, I find it best to cook the rice ahead of time. Or at least get your uncooked rice started before you start the rest of the meal. 

For the rice, you can use instant rice or regular rice. I prefer white rice with this rice dish, but you could certainly make it with brown rice, basmati rice, or jasmine rice instead. Another variation would be to try it with boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat in your chicken recipes. 

Chicken over rice became popular in New York City from a street cart called Halal Carts. While this version isn’t exactly street food, it’s a delicious take on the Halal chicken. 

Avoid the long lines of New York, hit your local grocery store for these simple ingredients, and get cooking! 5 minutes of prep, 20 minutes of cooking, and you can have dinner on the table!

Rice choices & preparation for honey garlic chicken over rice

When building a bowl of honey garlic chicken over rice, the rice you choose really sets the stage. Jasmine rice offers a fragrant, slightly floral note that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the honey; basmati gives a lighter, fluffier texture that let the sauce shine; while a nutty brown rice adds extra chew and heartiness. For a lower-carb twist, try cauliflower rice or coconut-rice for extra richness. Whichever base you pick, cook the rice with a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of butter or oil so it’s seasoned right from the start. When you spoon the sticky honey-garlic sauce over the chicken and rice, the rice will soak up the sauce, turning each bite into a sweet-savory rice bowl experience — not just plain rice on the side.

Building texture and flavour in the sauce

To elevate your honey garlic chicken over rice and make it stand out, think beyond just honey and garlic. Use a good-quality runny honey for smooth sweetness; pair it with a salty light soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free) and brighten it with a good splash of rice vinegar or even apple cider vinegar. Fresh garlic gives the punch, while a knob of butter or drizzle of toasted sesame oil adds richness and depth. For texture contrast, dredge the chicken pieces in cornstarch or arrowroot and pan-fry or air-fry until the exterior is crisp-golden, then toss in the sauce so it clings beautifully. The crisp exterior, juicy interior and sticky glaze over rice create a satisfying plate.

Serving suggestions and toppings for a full rice-bowl experience

When you serve honey garlic chicken over rice, make it feel like a full bowl meal rather than a simple dinner plate. After layering your warm seasoned rice and saucy chicken, add crunch or colour with toppings: thinly sliced green onions or scallions, toasted sesame seeds, a sprinkle of chilli flakes or even a spoonful of kimchi for heat and tang. A side of quickly steamed broccoli, roasted snap peas or pickled cucumber gives freshness and balance. Drizzle any remaining sauce around the edges of the rice to ensure every bite stays moist and flavourful. You can also offer lime or lemon wedges to brighten the dish at the table.

Make-ahead, leftovers and meal-prep tips

Planning ahead? This honey garlic chicken over rice is excellent for meal-prep. Cook the chicken and sauce fresh, but store the rice separately in shallow containers so it doesn’t become mushy. In the fridge, the chicken and sauce will keep safely for up to 3 days; if you have time, freeze portions for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge. When reheating, gently warm the chicken and sauce together on the stovetop (or microwave in short bursts) and add a splash of water or stock if it’s become thick. Then reheat the rice and build your bowl fresh with toppings just before serving so it tastes like you pulled it together at dinner time.

Dietary adaptations & cooking method alternatives

Want to adjust this dish to suit different needs? Here are a few simple swaps:

• Vegetarian option: use firm tofu cubes or cauliflower florets, pan-roasted until lightly crisp, then toss with the honey-garlic sauce and serve over rice.
• To make it gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your cornstarch (or arrowroot) and stock are gluten-free.
• For lower sugar, reduce the honey by about one-third and balance with extra garlic or a splash of chilli for heat.
• Prefer chicken breasts? Use thick strips or flatten the chicken so it cooks through quickly and doesn’t dry out; cooking time will be slightly less.
• Try alternative cooking methods: an air fryer for crispiness without excess oil, or a sheet-pan version where you roast the chicken pieces then toss with sauce and finish under the broiler for caramelisation.

Honey Garlic Chicken FAQs

Honey Garlic Chicken Over Rice Step by Step

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 cups long grain white rice, cooked

Preparation

In a medium skillet, cook the chicken breasts over medium-high heat and season with a pinch of salt, pepper, and garlic powder until cooked through, about 5-10 minutes. If your pan isn’t non-stick you may want to use a bit of olive oil when cooking the chicken. 

Mince the garlic and add it to the pan, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and water. Cook, stirring often, until the liquid reduces by about 1/3 and starts to thicken, about 3-5 minutes.

Remove from the heat and serve the chicken over cooked fluffy rice.

Leftovers

Storage: The best way to store the leftovers is to keep the honey garlic chicken separate from the leftover rice. They can both go in airtight containers and refrigerate for 3-4 days. 

Reheating: You can either reheat them in individual pans or mix together to reheat. Cook the whole thing over medium heat until just warmed through. If it’s dry, add a small amount of soy sauce, chicken broth, or water while the chicken heats. 

Recipe

Honey Garlic Chicken over Rice

Bring the flavor of the Chinese buffet home with quick and easy honey garlic chicken over rice.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Course:

Main Dish

Cuisine:

American

Keyword:

chicken

|

garlic

|

honey

|

one pan

|

rice

|

soy sauce

Dietary Needs:

Dairy-Free

|

Egg-Free

|

Nut-Free

Meat:

Chicken/Turkey

Cooking Method:

Copycat Recipe

|

One-Pan Meals

Servings: 4

5 from 9 votes

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 cup white rice (cooked)

Recommended Equipment

• Skillet
• Garlic Press
• Rice Steamer

Instructions

• In a medium skillet, cook the chicken over medium-high and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder until cooked through, about 5-10 minutes
• Mince the garlic and add it to the pan, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute
• Add the apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and water
• Cook, stirring often, until the liquid reduces by about 1/3 and starts to thicken, about 3-5 minutes
• Remove from the heat and serve the chicken over cooked rice

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Nutrition Facts

Honey Garlic Chicken over Rice

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 696 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 145mg48%

Sodium 721mg30%

Potassium 1009mg29%

Carbohydrates 100g33%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 24g27%

Protein 56g112%

Vitamin A 69IU1%

Vitamin C 4mg5%

Calcium 47mg5%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

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