Honey Chipotle Chicken & Rice

By Matt Price

Mar 27, 2025, Updated Mar 15, 2026

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Quick Summary

In This Recipe

Introduction:
All-Purpose Seasoning
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Honey Chipotle Chicken & Rice

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How to Make A Meal With $20: Honey Chipotle Chicken & Rice Recipe by Mr. Make It Happen Shopping List: Marinade 2.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs 1 can chipotles in adobo (peppers for marinade...

Category: Chicken Recipes, Favorites, Healthy Recipes & Meal Prep | By: Matt Price, Mr. Make It Happen

How to Make A Meal With $20: Honey Chipotle Chicken & Rice Recipe by Mr. Make It Happen

Shopping List:

Marinade
2.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 can chipotles in adobo (peppers for marinade and remaining sauce for sauce)
3 tbsps honey
2 tbsps olive oil
½ cup water (for marinade)
1 lime
2 tbsps garlic
¼ cup cilantro
Rice:
1 cup parboil rice
2.5 cups water
1 tbsp chicken bouillon
½ diced onion
1 packet salon (yellow packet with turmeric)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chipotle powder
1 tsp AP seasoning
Salad:
Iceberg or romaine lettuce
2-3 roma tomatoes
¼ cup diced cilantro
Sauce:
¼ cup chipotle in adobo sauce only
1.5 cups mayo
3 tbsps honey
1 lime
AP and Chicken Bouillon powder to taste

Introduction:

Honey Chipotle Chicken and Rice Recipe

If you’re craving a smoky, spicy, and sweet dinner that’s full of flavor, look no further than this Honey Chipotle Chicken and Rice dish. It’s the perfect combination of tender, juicy chicken marinated in a smoky chipotle honey sauce, paired with aromatic rice, and a refreshing salad on the side.

The homemade chipotle mayo sauce brings everything together for a unique meal you won’t forget. The best part is that the entire meal comes together for less than $20! Here’s how to make it!

First things first, let’s organize our ingredients and begin prep. Today, everything is pretty simple – we just need to dice the onion, wash the rice, dice the cilantro, and prep the salad ingredients.

Next, we will marinate our chicken! This is best for 24 hours, if you have the time, otherwise – 2 hours minimum.

Marinating the Chicken

Prepare the Marinade:
In a bowl, blend the chipotles in adobo, honey, olive oil, water, lime juice, garlic, and cilantro. Use a blender or food processor to create a smooth marinade. If you like your marinade with a bit of heat, add a few extra chipotle peppers from the can.
Marinate the Chicken:

Place the chicken thighs in a resealable bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring that it’s evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or even overnight for deeper flavor.

This marinade is absolutely PACKED with flavor! However, it does have quite a bit of spice. If you’re someone who doesn’t really enjoy spice (I’m in that camp too lol) you can reduce the amount of chipotles you use OR increase the honey content.

After marinating the chicken, we can prep the sauce. This sauce is great on salads, wraps, burgers, or for, a dipping sauce.

Blend the Sauce:

In a bowl, whisk together the chipotle adobo sauce, mayo, honey, and lime juice.

Adjust the seasoning by adding a pinch of all-purpose seasoning and chicken bouillon powder to taste. This sauce will have a smoky, creamy, and slightly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the chicken and rice.

MR. MAKE IT HAPPEN

All-Purpose Seasoning

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This will last in the fridge for at least 5 days, sealed tightly.

The salad prep is simple, just chop the lettuce and tomato, plus the cilantro. If you want a more elaborate salad, feel free to add whatever you prefer.

Grill or Pan-Seared Chicken:

Preheat your grill or skillet over medium-high heat. If you’re grilling, cook the chicken thighs for about 6-7 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is nicely charred. If pan-searing, cook for about 7-8 minutes on each side.

Rest the Chicken:

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the chicken tender and juicy.

Plate the Dish:

On each plate, serve a generous portion of the flavorful rice. Slice the honey chipotle chicken and place it on top. Add a few spoonfuls of the creamy chipotle sauce over the chicken for an extra burst of flavor.

Tips for Success:

Extra Heat: For an extra kick, blend in some of the chipotle peppers from the can into the sauce.
Chicken Substitutes: While boneless skinless chicken thighs are perfect for this recipe, you can substitute them with chicken breasts if preferred. Just be sure to cook them to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Rice Variations: You can also swap out parboiled rice for jasmine or basmati rice if you prefer a different texture or aroma.

Enjoy!

This Honey Chipotle Chicken and Rice is a great dish for a weeknight dinner or for impressing guests at a gathering.

The combination of smoky chipotle, sweet honey, and the tang of lime creates an irresistible flavor profile that pairs perfectly with the aromatic rice and fresh salad. Serve it with the creamy chipotle sauce for the ultimate satisfying meal. You might also love my curry chicken and rice.

Enjoy!