Hot Honey Chicken & Orzo Bowl
A warm, comforting bowl made with tender pan-seared chicken tossed in homemade hot honey, creamy lemon-herb orzo, fresh veggies, and a sprinkle of feta. Balanced, satisfying, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings:2–3
Ingredients
For the Chicken
350–400g chicken breast or tenders, cut into bites
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp chili flakes
Hot Honey Sauce
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp chili flakes
1 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
For the Orzo
1 cup orzo
1 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup water
Zest of ½ lemon
½ lemon juice
2 tbsp chopped parsley
Salt + pepper to taste
Optional: ¼ cup feta or 2 tbsp Greek yogurt for creaminess
Bowl Add-Ins
1 cup baby spinach
1 cucumber diced
Cherry tomatoes
Extra feta
Lemon wedges
Instructions
1. Cook the Orzo
In a pot, heat olive oil.
Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
Add orzo and toast 1 minute.
Pour in broth + water.
Add lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
Simmer 8–10 minutes until creamy.
Stir in lemon juice, parsley, and (optional) feta or Greek yogurt.
Remove from heat.
2. Cook the Chicken
Season chicken with paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
Heat olive oil in a pan.
Add chicken; cook 4–6 minutes until golden and done.
3. Make Hot Honey
In a small bowl, mix:
honey
chili flakes
vinegar or lemon juice
Warm 10 seconds in microwave or stir in warm pan to loosen.
Pour half over the cooked chicken and toss.
4. Assemble the Bowl
Layer:
✔ Creamy lemon orzo
✔ Fresh spinach
✔ Hot honey chicken
✔ Cherry tomatoes + cucumbers
✔ Drizzle remaining hot honey
✔ Sprinkle feta
Tips & Notes
For non-spicy: use only honey + lemon juice (no chili flakes).
Add avocado for creaminess.
Replace chicken with shrimp, tofu, or turkey meatballs.
Add roasted veggies (zucchini, peppers, broccoli).
If orzo thickens too much, add 2–3 tbsp warm water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I meal prep this?
Yes! Store chicken, orzo, and hot honey separately. Assemble when eating.
Q: What can I use instead of orzo?
Couscous, quinoa, or small pasta shapes.
Q: Can I bake the chicken instead?
Yes — bake 12–15 min at 200°C.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 560
Protein: 38g
Carbs: 62g
Fat: 15g
Fiber: 4g