Description
This Chipotle Honey Chicken and Rice Bake is a flavorful one-pan meal combining tender chicken thighs with smoky chipotle peppers, sweet honey, and a bed of fluffy rice. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it offers a delicious Southwestern twist with a balance of spice, sweetness, and hearty ingredients all baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Rice Mixture
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen corn (optional)
Toppings and Garnish
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese (optional)
- Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make Chipotle Honey Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, minced chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Assemble Rice Mixture: Place the uncooked rice and chicken broth in the prepared baking dish. Stir in the frozen corn if using, distributing it evenly throughout the rice.
- Add Chicken and Sauce: Nestle the chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture, then pour the chipotle honey sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated well.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing the rice to cook and the chicken to begin absorbing the flavors.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil carefully, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the chicken if desired, then bake uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes. Continue baking until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the rice is tender.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow flavors to settle. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and lime wedges before serving for a bright, fresh contrast.
Notes
- For more heat, add an extra chipotle pepper to the sauce mixture.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted for thighs; adjust cooking times as chicken breasts may cook faster.
- If using brown rice, increase the chicken broth quantity and extend the baking time to ensure the rice is fully cooked.
- Omitting cheese makes the dish dairy-free, but the cheese adds a nice creamy finish.
