Gimme Some Oven

Honey Lemon Chicken Bowls (Meal Prep)

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This delicious Honey Lemon Chicken recipe is one of my favorite easy meal prep ideas for lunch or dinner during the week! Feel free to use whatever veggies you have on hand, and serve with rice or quinoa. (This post contains affiliate links.)

These Honey Lemon Chicken Bowls are one of my favorite healthy lunch or dinner meal prep ideas. They're quick and easy to prepare, made with an Asian honey lemon garlic sesame sauce, fresh asparagus and broccoli (or any vegetables), rice or quinoa. And they are delicious and naturally gluten-free! | gimmesomeoven.com

How’s your lunch game lately?

Are you eating the kind of food in the middle of the day that you want to be eating?

I’ll be the first to admit that lunch is the one meal of the day I probably struggle with most when it comes to healthy (make that any kind of intentional) eating. Occasionally I get on meal planning swings and have a plan for the day, or have random leftovers waiting to be eaten in the fridge, or take the time to cook myself well-balanced feel-good meals. But too often when noon rolls around, I have zero plan for what I’m going to eat. Which, of course, too often results in either (1) eating out, (2) Postmates-ing in, or (3) munching on random snacks instead of eating a balanced meal.

I used to blame my impulsive lunch habits on working in a basement cubicle with florescent lighting for seven years, when my coworkers and I would basically take any excuse to escape the building on our lunch break. But even now that I’m working from home — yeah, as a food blogger, no less! — and have an entire kitchen and refrigerator and pantry nearby, I’m amazed at how often I still get lazy and feel rushed over lunchtime, and opt for the quickest lunch option that takes the least amount of thought and work. Not exactly how I’d like to roll. ? ? ?

Anyway, I’m confessing this one to you because I’m trying to work on this whole eating-better-lunches side of adulting lately. (And also, save up our lunch money for meals out in Spain. ??)  So all that to say — I’m finally jumping on the meal planning train. And sticking with it. And starting to actually get kind of good at it. And best of all…actually enjoying it!

I mean, especially when delicious honey lemon chicken and veggie bowls like these are waiting for me in the fridge. ?

Honey Lemon Chicken Bowls Recipe | 1-Minute Video

These Honey Lemon Chicken Bowls are one of my favorite healthy lunch or dinner meal prep ideas. They're quick and easy to prepare, made with an Asian honey lemon garlic sesame sauce, fresh asparagus and broccoli (or any vegetables), rice or quinoa. And they are delicious and naturally gluten-free! | gimmesomeoven.com

And the best news? You can make this recipe — make that, SIX SERVINGS of this recipe — all in about 30 minutes.

These Honey Lemon Chicken Bowls are one of my favorite healthy lunch or dinner meal prep ideas. They're quick and easy to prepare, made with an Asian honey lemon garlic sesame sauce, fresh asparagus and broccoli (or any vegetables), rice or quinoa. And they are delicious and naturally gluten-free! | gimmesomeoven.com

To make them, start by putting some rice or quinoa on the stove to cook. (Or my favorite, dump everything in a rice cooker so that you don’t have to keep an eye on a simmering saucepan.)

Then chop up a bunch of veggies, and pop them in a skillet to sauté until tender. Meanwhile, whisk together your honey lemon sauce and chop up your chicken while the veggies cook.

These Honey Lemon Chicken Bowls are one of my favorite healthy lunch or dinner meal prep ideas. They're quick and easy to prepare, made with an Asian honey lemon garlic sesame sauce, fresh asparagus and broccoli (or any vegetables), rice or quinoa. And they are delicious and naturally gluten-free! | gimmesomeoven.com

Then transfer the veggies to a separate plate. Sauté the chicken until it has also cooked, then stir in the sauce until it comes to a simmer and gets nice and thick. (I recommend doing all of this over high heat for speed and so that the veggies and chicken get a nice toasted sear on them. So accordingly, be sure to use a high-heat oil for cooking.)

These Honey Lemon Chicken Bowls are one of my favorite healthy lunch or dinner meal prep ideas. They're quick and easy to prepare, made with an Asian honey lemon garlic sesame sauce, fresh asparagus and broccoli (or any vegetables), rice or quinoa. And they are delicious and naturally gluten-free! | gimmesomeoven.com

Then by the time your chicken and veggies are done, your rice or quinoa should be ready to go. Portion everything evenly between your storage containers. (You could use any size/type that you have. But this recipe fit perfectly into six 2-cup glass storage containers (<– affiliate link), which I recommend because they also have super-snug snap-on lids and are dishwasher-safe.)

Then serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.

These Honey Lemon Chicken Bowls are one of my favorite healthy lunch or dinner meal prep ideas. They're quick and easy to prepare, made with an Asian honey lemon garlic sesame sauce, fresh asparagus and broccoli (or any vegetables), rice or quinoa. And they are delicious and naturally gluten-free! | gimmesomeoven.com

And just like that — lunch is served. ?

Enjoy guys! (I sure did.)

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Honey Lemon Chicken Bowls (Meal Prep)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 15 reviews
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

This delicious Honey Lemon Chicken recipe is one of my favorite easy meal prep ideas for lunch or dinner during the week!  Feel free to use whatever veggies you have on hand, and serve with rice or quinoa.


Ingredients

Scale

Honey Lemon Chicken Bowls Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter, divided
  • 1 pound fresh asparagus*, cut into bite-sized pieces (ends trimmed)
  • 2 cups chopped (small) broccoli florets
  • Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 cups cooked rice or quinoa
  • optional garnishes: toasted sesame seeds, lemon slices/wedges

Honey Lemon Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1/4 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • pinch of ground ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

Instructions

To Make The Honey Lemon Chicken Bowls:

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil (or butter) in a large sauté pan or wok over high heat.  Add the asparagus and broccoli, and season with salt and pepper.  Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.  Transfer the asparagus and broccoli to a clean plate, and return the pan to the heat.
  2. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil (or butter) to the pan, along with the chicken.  Season the chicken with salt and pepper.  Sauté for 5-6 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink on the inside.  Stir in the honey lemon sauce until the chicken is evenly coated, and cook for 1 minute or until the sauce comes to a simmer and thickens.  Remove pan from heat.
  3. Portion the rice, vegetables and chicken evenly between 6 food storage containers.  Top with your desired garnishes.  Then serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

To Make The Honey Lemon Sauce:

  1. Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl or mason jar until combined.

Notes

*Feel free to sub in whatever veggies you have on hand!  (Bell peppers, squash, onions, green beans, snap peas, carrots, etc. would all be great!)

This post contains affiliate links.

These Honey Lemon Chicken Bowls are one of my favorite healthy lunch or dinner meal prep ideas. They're quick and easy to prepare, made with an Asian honey lemon garlic sesame sauce, fresh asparagus and broccoli (or any vegetables), rice or quinoa. And they are delicious and naturally gluten-free! | gimmesomeoven.com

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59 comments on “Honey Lemon Chicken Bowls (Meal Prep)”

  1. Right there with you. Lunchtime is definitely my most impulsive meal of the day! Hope that you will share more of these meal planning recipes with us!






    • Thanks, Alissa, we’re glad you enjoyed this and we hope you enjoy the recipe! :)

  2. What pan are you using (that’s shown in the photos) to cook your veggies and chicken? Is it an All-Clad pan?? Thanks!

  3. Would these be freezable?

  4. How do you go about reheating these without the chicken drying out?

    • Hi Vanessa! Ultimately the best way to reheat these to avoid drying the chicken out, would be in the skillet (gradually), with just a little bit of chicken stock or water. We hope this helps!

  5. Protein and plenty of crisp veggies-yum!
    We eat low-carb so I’d make the honey-lemon sauce with Nature’s Hollow sugar free honey substitute. I love anything lemony.
    Thank you for all the time you devote to researching, testing and sharing your great recipes.

  6. I like that this recipe can be made in 30 minutes. That’s really good. Thanks for sharing it Ali.

  7. Did you use jasmine rice in the photos? Looks delicious!

    • Hi Leila! Yes, but you could use any kind of rice, or another grain like quinoa. We hop you enjoy these!

  8. Not sure if I’m posting correctly. Is this recipe freezable?

    • Hi Stephanie! Yes, you could freeze individual portions (or a full recipe of this). We hope you enjoy!

  9. I’ve been very good about planning good lunches for a while now, but I’m always looking for new ideas and this one sounds like a real winner. I hope to get this made on my next cooking go-around (I’ve got all my meals planned already for this week and next).

  10. What a delicious idea!!






  11. I’m ok with lunch – usually an avocado and hard boiled egg sandwich, but come dinner time, I’m a carb loader. I’m trying to do better about this. I’m going to make this for lunches and dinners! As for Spain, I lived in Madrid for 3 years and loved it. I just went back to Barcelona after 14 years and fell in love with Spain all over again. I hope you share some tapas recipes and especially the croquettes with ham or chicken. Yummy!

  12. Meal prep makes things so easy, doesn’t it? I love it.

  13. Do you have more meal prep recipes? This one looks great, and I would like more!

  14. Hi, My husband works afternoons and needs a hot dinner every day. We make several dinners on a Sunday for this purpose and for myself so all I have to do is heat up dinner, not cook all over again. This recipe is great and I am looking forward to making it this Sunday for the following week for both of us. We make large batches of whatever we are cooking. Sometimes spaghetti, and sometimes we cook a turkey with all the trimmings, or chicken with sides, or a Pork Loin, or sometimes a dinner salad with cooked meat.
    Kathy from Canada

    • Hi Kathy! We hope you and your husband enjoy these — definitely let us know that you think! :)

  15. It tasted amazing and was super easy!!!

  16. I tried this one. It was yummy, kind of sweet and sour all at the same time. I will definitely do again. Thanks for sharing.






  17. Made this last night for dinner! Really good…can’t wait for lunches this week!






  18. Simple and delicious. Loved it! Took less than 30 mins to make.






  19. Hey Ali – Please keep sharing recopies like this! You’re definitely not alone in your lunch struggles. Can’t wait to give this a try tonight and get the week started off on the right foot! Thanks again!

  20. I made these for lunches this week. We grilled our chicken and put the thickened sauce about less than halfway through grilling on the chicken. So flavorful! Love it! My husband has already requested it for dinner soon.






    • Thanks for sharing, Amanda — we’re so glad you and your husband enjoyed them!

  21. Wonderful. Loved it. More meal prep ideas would be great.

  22. Can I substitute agave nectar for the honey? I’m allergic ? to honey. Thus looks so yummy!

  23. Made this for my dinner- it was delicious! Perfect amount of sweet and sour, and it’s so easy to make! Will be making this again.






  24. I made these a few weeks ago and am getting ready to meal prep them again this weekend for my lunches next week. I roasted broccoli, red onion, baby bella mushrooms and cauliflower and it was delicious! I really looked forward to my lunches every day and can’t wait to have it again next week. Thanks for the great meal prep ideas!






  25. Tasty, but wasn’t as flavorful as I was expecting it to be. Will probably make again, just to give it another whirl.






  26. Oh, that’s perfect! Lemon and honey always go well with chicken :)))






  27. This looks delicious. I think I am going to try this next week. I will tell you how I like it!

    Kimberly

  28. Delicious and easy to make, full of flavor! I definitely will be making this again in the near future. Next time, I’ll cook the chicken on lower heat to avoid drying out the chicken :)






  29. I may have already commented on this post, but I just wanted to thank you for sharing this recipe. This is one of those recipes I go back to again and again when I want a delicious, easy meal. My boyfriend loves it too!






  30. Can the Honey Lemon Sauce be refrigerated? if so, for how long?

    Thanks!






  31. Just made this tonight as written. It was really flavorful and I’ll definitely make it again! Any idea of breakdown macro-wise?






  32. Thanks for sharing this great ideas

  33. Any tips on keeping rice fluffy? I use our rice cooker but it always ends up sticky..especially leftover rice. Thank you!

  34. How long should this stay good in the fridge?

  35. How many calories is this meal?