
If you’re on the hunt for a vibrant, flavorful, and wholesome lunch that keeps you fueled all week, this Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep is destined to become your new favorite. Sweet and garlicky chicken bites sit atop fluffy quinoa with roasted broccoli and an irresistible sticky glaze—meal prepping never tasted so good!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Meal Prep Magic: It’s designed to keep its bold flavors and satisfying textures for days, making your lunches effortless and exciting.
- Seriously Saucy Flavors: The honey garlic glaze is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and a little spicy, clinging to every bite of tender chicken.
- Customizable and Balanced: Enjoy high-protein chicken, fiber-rich quinoa, and vibrant veggies for a filling, feel-good meal that adapts to your tastes.
- Minimal Prep, Maximum Reward: Everything comes together in about 30 minutes—so you can reclaim your Sundays and still eat like a superstar all week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every element in this Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep was picked for both flavor and practicality. From saucy chicken bites to nutty quinoa and fresh, crisp broccoli, each ingredient builds delicious layers you can count on all week long.
- Chicken breasts: Use lean, diced chicken breast for a quick-cooking, high-protein base; you can substitute boneless chicken thighs for extra juiciness.
- Egg: A quick dip in beaten egg helps the cornstarch stick and gives your chicken a crave-worthy golden crust that soaks up sauce.
- Cornstarch: Coating with cornstarch creates crisp edges and helps the sauce cling to every morsel.
- Avocado or groundnut oil: Neutral oils perfect for stir-frying, ensuring your chicken gets golden but not greasy.
- Kosher salt: Seasoning each layer ensures the whole meal is bursting with flavor, not just the sauce.
- Broccoli: Fresh broccoli roasts beautifully, staying bright and a little crunchy; frozen florets work, too, in a pinch.
- Cooked quinoa: A protein-rich backdrop that soaks up every drop of flavorful sauce; swap it for brown rice or your favorite grain if you prefer.
- Honey: The star of the sweet-savory combo in the sauce, binding everything with a luscious glaze.
- Sriracha: Adds a gentle kick that wakes up the tastebuds, but you can dial the heat up or down.
- Garlic: Two cloves, minced, provide big aromatic flavor in that signature honey garlic sauce.
- Rice vinegar: Just a splash for tang, so the sauce never gets too sweet.
- Sesame oil: For a nutty, fragrant finish that lingers after every bite.
- Green onions and sesame seeds: The essential garnish duo for a fresh pop of color, crunch, and flavor.
Variations
The beauty of Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep is how easy it is to adapt. Whether you’re riffing with what’s in the fridge or meeting different dietary needs, this recipe’s got your back for delicious variety.
- Shrimp Swap: Try diced shrimp instead of chicken for a speedy, seafood twist that’s just as satisfying (cooks extra fast, too!).
- Veggie Boost: Don’t love broccoli? Use green beans, Brussels sprouts, snap peas, or a colorful stir-fry mix—whatever’s on hand or in season.
- Grain Alternatives: Substitute quinoa with brown rice, farro, cauliflower rice, or rice noodles for a new texture or dietary swap.
- No Heat: If spice isn’t your thing, skip or reduce the sriracha in the sauce for a sweet garlic flavor everyone can enjoy.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Start by preparing your breading station: one bowl with the beaten egg and another with cornstarch, salt, and a touch of pepper. Dip the chicken pieces first into the egg, coating them well, then toss in the seasoned cornstarch until they’re evenly dusted—this creates those golden, crispy edges once they hit the pan.
Step 2: Sauté to Golden Perfection
Heat a tablespoon of neutral oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add your coated chicken in a single layer, giving each piece plenty of space so the edges crisp, not steam. Let them cook, turning occasionally, until gloriously golden and cooked through—about 8 to 10 minutes total.
Step 3: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
Whisk together honey, sriracha, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a medium bowl until smooth and glossy. Pour the sauce over the hot chicken in the pan, tossing gently so every piece is generously coated in that shiny, garlicky glaze. Remove from heat and set aside—the aroma alone will have you nibbling straight from the skillet!
Step 4: Quick Broccoli Stir-Fry
Wipe the skillet, add another tablespoon of oil, and turn the heat back to medium-high. Add the broccoli florets and stir-fry just until they’re bright green and picking up a little golden brown—2 to 3 minutes is all you need. Sprinkle with salt and pepper for extra flavor, then set aside.
Step 5: Build Your Meal Prep Bowls
Add a scoop of fluffy quinoa to each meal prep container, then neatly arrange the saucy chicken and roasted broccoli on top. For the grand finale, add a flurry of green onions and a sprinkle of black and white sesame seeds—your Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep bowls are ready to cool and store!
Pro Tips for Making Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep
- Crispy Chicken Shortcut: For ultra-crispy chicken, shake off any extra cornstarch before frying—less excess means more crunch in every bite.
- Sauce Consistency Matters: If you love a thicker glaze, let the sauce simmer on the chicken for an extra minute or two to reduce and cling even more.
- Batch Cooking Bonus: Double the recipe and freeze half—your future self will thank you for those ready-to-grab homemade lunches!
- Veggie Vibrance: Add a handful of bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas to the broccoli sauté for color and crunch variety throughout the week.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep
Garnishes
Green onions and sesame seeds aren’t just gorgeous—they add a final burst of freshness and subtle crunch that really elevates these meal prep bowls. For even more brightness, tuck in a few wedges of lime, letting everyone squeeze a little zing right before eating!
Side Dishes
While your Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep bowls are perfectly balanced, you can easily serve with extra steamed edamame, a crisp cucumber salad, or even pickled veggies on the side for an added pop of freshness and color.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special twist, layer the ingredients in mason jars for a meal that’s as pretty as it is portable, or arrange everything Bento-style for fun, separate compartments. These Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep bowls also look beautiful sprinkled with a little extra sesame or chili crisp for added flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your finished meal prep bowls in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to four days. The sauce keeps the chicken moist and flavorful, and nothing gets soggy—just give everything a quick stir before enjoying.
Freezing
You can freeze Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep bowls (minus the garnishes) for up to 2 months. For best results, store the chicken, broccoli, and quinoa separately, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and assembling with fresh toppings.
Reheating
Reheat your bowls in the microwave, covered loosely, for 1-2 minutes until steaming hot, or warm gently on the stove. The sauce keeps the chicken tender even after reheating, so every meal tastes freshly made!
FAQs
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Can I make Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep with chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully—they’re even more juicy and flavorful. Just follow the same steps and adjust cooking time as needed, since thighs may take a minute or two longer.
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How spicy is this Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep recipe?
The sriracha brings a mild kick that’s balanced by the honey, but you can easily adjust the heat up or down. Love it spicy? Add extra sriracha or chili flakes. Want it mild? Leave out the sriracha entirely for a sweet-garlic finish.
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Is it okay to use frozen broccoli for this meal prep?
Yes! Just add the frozen broccoli straight to the skillet—no need to thaw. Cook a minute or two longer, and let any excess water evaporate so the florets still get a little char and stay crisp-tender.
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Can I prep Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep bowls ahead for the whole week?
Definitely! These bowls are ideal for making 3-4 days at a time. Store in the fridge and add garnishes fresh each day for a boost of flavor and crunch.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a weekday lunch with serious flavor, simplicity, and just the right touch of comfort, Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep is your golden ticket. Whip up a batch, and you’ll look forward to every lunch break—fork in hand and a happy heart. Enjoy!
PrintHoney Garlic Chicken Meal Prep Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Honey Garlic Chicken Meal Prep recipe is a perfect combination of tender chicken coated in a flavorful honey garlic sauce, served with broccoli and quinoa. It’s a delicious and convenient meal prep option for busy weekdays.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 tablespoons avocado or groundnut oil, divided
- 4 chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
To garnish:
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1-2 teaspoons black and white sesame seeds, or as desired
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Dip chicken in beaten egg, then coat with cornstarch.
- Make Honey Garlic Sauce: Whisk honey, sriracha, garlic, vinegar, and sesame oil.
- Prepare Broccoli: Stir-fry broccoli until browned.
- Assemble: Divide quinoa into bowls, top with broccoli and chicken.
- Serve: Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Serve cold or reheated as desired.
Heat oil in a skillet, cook chicken until golden brown.
Pour sauce over cooked chicken.
Season with salt and pepper.
Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and lime wedges.
Notes
- Chicken: Lean chicken breast is preferred, but boneless chicken thighs can be used.
- Broccoli: Fresh or frozen can be used.
- Oil: Any oil of choice works.
- Quinoa: Brown rice can be used instead.
- Meal Prep: Store in containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Spice Level: Adjust sriracha to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 565 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1323mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.03g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 58g
- Cholesterol: 191mg