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Meal prep just got so much more exciting with these flavor-packed bowls. This Hot Honey Chicken Bowl is a Sweetgreen-inspired bowl that combines tender, juicy chicken glazed with a spicy sweet sauce, roasted sweet potatoes, fresh veggies, and fluffy quinoa, all topped with an addictive hot honey mustard drizzle. It’s hearty, flavorful, and so good that you’ll want to make it on repeat.
What makes this hot honey chicken bowl recipe so amazing is how balanced it is. You get protein from the chicken, complex carbs from the quinoa and sweet potatoes, tons of vegetables, and that incredible sweet-and-spicy hot honey sauce that ties everything together. These high-protein grain bowls are perfect for healthy lunch meal prep, protein dinner, or whenever you want something that tastes indulgent but is actually nutritious. Plus, you can easily adjust heat level to your preference, making it perfect for the whole family.
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Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Chicken Bowl
1. Restaurant-Quality at Home – This copycat hot honey chicken tastes just like the viral Sweetgreen hot honey chicken bowl but costs a fraction of the price. You get all that tender chicken with the perfect sweet and spicy glaze without leaving your kitchen.
2. Perfect for Meal Prep – These meal prep bowls stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make a batch on Sunday and you’ve got healthy lunch meal prep or dinner meal prep sorted for the week. Everything holds up beautifully and the flavors actually improve as they sit.
3. Completely Customizable – Don’t like sweet potatoes? Swap for regular potatoes or extra quinoa. Not a fan of Brussels sprouts? Use broccoli or kale. Want it spicier? Add more hot sauce. This hot honey chicken bowl healthy version works with whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Ingredients for Hot Honey Chicken Bowl
This hot honey chicken bowl recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that create a restaurant-worthy meal. You’re making everything from scratch, including that addictive hot honey sauce.
What You’ll Need
For the Hot Honey Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)
For the Bowl:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed
- 2 cups Brussels sprouts, halved (or broccoli)
- 1.5 cups cooked quinoa (or rice)
- 2 cups purple cabbage, shredded (for veggie slaw component)
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
For the Hot Honey Mustard Drizzle:
- 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon hot honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Why These Ingredients Matter
Chicken Thighs – Thighs stay juicier than chicken breasts and have more flavor, which is perfect for these bowls. They can handle the high heat without drying out and absorb the hot honey sauce beautifully. If you prefer chicken breast, just watch the cooking time so they don’t overcook.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes – Sweet potatoes add natural sweetness that balances the spicy hot honey. Roasting them brings out their natural sugars and creates crispy edges. They’re also packed with nutrients and fiber, making this a truly healthy high protein meal.
Hot Honey Sauce – This spicy sweet sauce is the star of the show. The combination of honey and hot sauce creates that perfect sweet-heat balance that makes these bowls so addictive. You can adjust the heat level by using more or less hot sauce depending on your preference.
Instructions for Making Hot Honey Chicken Bowl
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on one baking sheet. On the second sheet, toss the Brussels sprouts with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Roast both sheets in the oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized and the Brussels sprouts are crispy.
Step 4: While the vegetables roast, season the chicken thighs with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Step 5: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. This skillet to oven method creates the best texture.
Step 6: While the chicken sears, make the hot honey sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes if using.
Step 7: Once the chicken is seared, brush half of the hot honey sauce over the chicken. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Step 8: Remove from oven and brush with the remaining hot honey sauce. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
Step 9: While everything cooks, make the veggie slaw component by mixing the shredded purple cabbage and carrots. Make the hot honey mustard drizzle by whisking together Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, hot honey, and lemon juice.
Step 10: Assemble your bowls: Start with cooked quinoa, add roasted sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, cabbage slaw, sliced hot honey chicken, crumbled bacon if using, and drizzle with the hot honey mustard sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Hint: These hot honey chicken bowls pair perfectly with garlic rosemary focaccia muffins on the side, or serve them alongside garlic parmesan chicken pasta if you’re feeding a crowd.
Top Tip
Should I Put Hot Honey on Chicken Before or After Cooking? – Do both! Brush some on before the final baking stage so it caramelizes, then add more after cooking for maximum flavor. The double application gives you both sticky caramelization and fresh bright sauce.
Roast Everything on High Heat – That 425°F temperature is key for getting caramelized, crispy edges on your vegetables. Don’t be tempted to lower it or they’ll steam instead of roast and won’t have that delicious charred flavor.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pans – Give your vegetables space to breathe on the baking sheets. If they’re too crowded, they’ll steam and get soggy instead of crispy. Use two pans if needed.
Adjust Heat Level – If you’re sensitive to spice, start with just 1 tablespoon of hot sauce in the honey mixture. You can always add more to individual bowls. For spice lovers, add extra hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
My Hot Honey Chicken Bowl Journey
I first tried a hot honey chicken bowl at Sweetgreen and fell in love instantly. But paying $15 for a bowl every time I wanted one wasn’t sustainable, so I decided to figure out how to make it at home. The first few attempts were okay but didn’t quite capture that perfect sweet-spicy balance. Grandma watched me experimenting and said, “Jazzy, you’re overthinking it. Hot honey is just honey and hot sauce. Keep it simple and let the ingredients shine.”
She was right. Once I stopped trying to make it complicated and just focused on good quality ingredients and proper roasting technique, these bowls became absolutely perfect. Now I make them every single week for meal prep, and they’ve become my go-to when I want something that feels like a treat but is actually healthy. Every time I pack one for lunch, I think about how Grandma’s advice to keep things simple really does work best. Sometimes the most delicious recipes are the ones that don’t try to be fancy.
Substitutions for Hot Honey Chicken Bowl
Hot Honey Chicken Bowl with Rice – Swap the quinoa for jasmine rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice if you want to keep it low carb. All of these work beautifully as the grain base and soak up the hot honey sauce perfectly.
Vegetarian Version – Replace the chicken with crispy chickpeas or pan-fried tofu. Toss them in the same hot honey sauce for that sweet-spicy flavor. You can also add extra vegetables like roasted bell peppers or stuffed bell peppers on the side.
Hot Honey Feta Chicken Bowl – Add crumbled feta cheese on top for a tangy, creamy element that balances the spicy sweet sauce. The salty feta pairs incredibly well with the sweet honey and creates an even more complex flavor profile.
Different Vegetables – Use whatever vegetables you love or have on hand. Broccoli, kale, zucchini, bell peppers, or green beans all work great. The key is to roast them at high heat until they’re caramelized and slightly crispy.
Variations on Hot Honey Chicken Bowl
Hot Honey Chicken Quinoa Bowl – Make this a hot honey chicken quinoa bowl by increasing the quinoa and adding chickpeas for extra protein. This makes it even more filling and perfect for post-workout meals or healthy high protein meals.
Honey Sriracha Chicken Bowl – Replace the hot sauce with sriracha for a honey sriracha chicken bowl version. Sriracha has a different flavor profile that’s slightly sweeter and more garlicky, which creates a delicious variation.
Hot Honey Chicken and Sweet Potato Bowl – Skip the quinoa entirely and double the roasted sweet potatoes for a hot honey chicken and sweet potato bowl. This is perfect if you’re avoiding grains or just really love sweet potatoes.
Honey Lime Chicken Avocado Bowl – Add fresh avocado slices and swap some of the hot sauce for lime juice to make a honey lime chicken avocado rice bowl. The creamy avocado and bright lime create a completely different but equally delicious flavor.
Mediterranean-Inspired – Turn this into a spicy greek chicken alfredo bowl by adding kalamata olives, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and tzatziki sauce. The Mediterranean flavors work surprisingly well with the hot honey, similar to teriyaki chicken noodles but with a Greek twist.
Equipment for Hot Honey Chicken Bowl
Two Large Baking Sheets – You need separate sheets for the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts because they cook at slightly different rates. Heavy-duty baking sheets with raised edges work best.
Oven-Safe Skillet – A large cast iron or oven-safe skillet is perfect for the skillet to oven method. You sear the chicken on the stovetop, then transfer the whole pan to the oven to finish cooking. This creates amazing flavor and texture.
Meat Thermometer – Essential for making sure your chicken reaches 165°F without overcooking. Chicken thighs are forgiving, but a thermometer takes the guesswork out.
Meal Prep Containers – Get good quality containers with separate compartments if possible. Glass containers with dividers keep the components separate, which helps everything stay fresh and prevents the quinoa from getting soggy.
Storage Tips for Hot Honey Chicken Bowl
Meal Prep Bowls – These stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store the components separately if possible, or use divided containers. Keep the hot honey mustard drizzle in a small container and add it right before eating for the best texture.
Refrigerator Storage – Store assembled bowls in airtight containers in the fridge. The chicken, roasted vegetables, and quinoa all hold up beautifully. The slaw might soften slightly but still tastes great.
Reheating Tips – Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. The vegetables might soften a bit more when reheated, but everything still tastes delicious. Add fresh slaw on top if you want extra crunch.
Components to Add Fresh – The cabbage slaw, bacon, and drizzle taste best when added fresh. If you’re meal prepping, pack these separately and add them when you’re ready to eat.
Grandma’s Secret for Hot Honey Chicken Bowl
Grandma taught me the secret to making restaurant-quality hot honey chicken at home. “Jazzy,” she said while watching me make these one Sunday, “the trick is to not rush the caramelization. When you brush that hot honey on the chicken and put it in the oven, it needs time to get sticky and glazed. If you pull it out too soon, you just have wet chicken. But if you let it caramelize properly, you get that beautiful golden coating that makes it special.”
She was absolutely right. That final 10-12 minutes in the oven is when the magic happens. The honey caramelizes, the chicken gets this beautiful glaze, and everything comes together perfectly. Her other tip is to always make extra hot honey sauce because people will want to drizzle more on top. I learned to double the sauce recipe because it’s so good that everyone wants extra for dipping or drizzling. These little tricks are what separate a good bowl from an amazing one.
FAQ about Hot Honey Chicken Bowl
What is in the hot honey chicken bowl?
A hot honey chicken bowl typically includes seasoned chicken glazed with hot honey sauce, a grain base like quinoa or rice, roasted vegetables (often sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts), a fresh veggie slaw, and a creamy drizzle. The Sweetgreen version includes chicken, quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, cabbage slaw, and hot honey mustard dressing.
How to make the viral hot honey bowl?
To make the viral hot honey bowl, season and cook chicken, make hot honey sauce by mixing honey with hot sauce and vinegar, roast sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts at high heat until caramelized, prepare quinoa and cabbage slaw, then assemble everything in a bowl with hot honey mustard drizzle on top. The key is the balance of sweet, spicy, and fresh flavors.
Should I put hot honey on chicken before or after cooking?
Put hot honey on chicken both before and after cooking for the best results. Brush it on during the last few minutes of cooking so it caramelizes and creates a sticky glaze, then brush on more after cooking for extra flavor and shine. This double application gives you both caramelized sweetness and fresh sauce.
What goes well with hot honey chicken?
Hot honey chicken pairs well with roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, rice, roasted Brussels sprouts or broccoli, fresh cabbage slaw, avocado, feta cheese, and creamy drizzles like honey mustard or ranch. The sweet-spicy chicken works with both hearty grains and fresh vegetables, making it incredibly versatile.
Conclusion
This Hot Honey Chicken Bowl has become my absolute favorite meal prep recipe, and I make it constantly. It’s one of those healthy bowls recipes that actually tastes better than takeout, costs way less, and keeps you satisfied for hours. Whether you’re looking for healthy on the go dinner, protein dinner ideas, or just want something delicious and nutritious, these bowls deliver every single time.
If you love honey-glazed chicken recipes, check out this Honey Glazed Chicken from Allrecipes for another delicious variation. Both versions are absolutely delicious and perfect for meal prep.
Give this hot honey chicken bowl recipe a try and let me know what you think. Grandma and I love hearing about your meal prep wins!
Grandma’s Hot Honey Chicken Bowl (Sweetgreen Inspired)
Equipment
- 2 Large Baking Sheets Using two prevents overcrowding, which Grandma said is the key to crispy, not soggy, vegetables.
- 1 Large oven-safe skillet A cast-iron skillet works best for that perfect stovetop-to-oven sear.
- 1 Small bowl For whisking together that addictive hot honey sauce.
- 1 Meat thermometer Takes the guesswork out of cooking chicken perfectly.
Ingredients
For the Hot Honey Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs Or chicken breasts, but thighs stay juicier!
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Hot Honey Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce Adjust to your preferred spice level.
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional, for a little extra kick.
For the Bowl
- 2 medium sweet potatoes Cubed
- 2 cups Brussels sprouts Halved
- 1.5 cups cooked quinoa Or rice, if you prefer.
- 2 cups purple cabbage Shredded
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 4 slices cooked bacon Crumbled, (optional, but so worth it)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley Chopped, for garnish
For the Hot Honey Mustard Drizzle
- 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon hot honey You can use a little of your sauce mixture.
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- First things first, get that oven nice and hot! Preheat it to 425°F. Grandma always said a hot oven is the secret to crispy, caramelized vegetables. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a bowl, toss the cubed [sweet potatoes] with 1 tablespoon of [olive oil], [salt], and [pepper], then spread them on one sheet. Do the same for the [Brussels sprouts] on the second sheet.
- Place both baking sheets in the oven. Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You're looking for those beautiful, slightly charred crispy edges; that's where all the flavor lives.
- While the veggies are roasting, let's give the chicken some love. Pat the [chicken thighs] dry and season them all over with [garlic powder], [paprika], [salt], and [pepper]. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until you get a gorgeous golden-brown crust. Don't move it around too much; let it form that crust!
- Now for the magic. In a small bowl, whisk together the [honey], [hot sauce], [apple cider vinegar], [Dijon mustard], and optional [red pepper flakes]. This sauce is what makes the whole dish sing. In another tiny bowl, whisk together the [Greek yogurt], [Dijon mustard], a tablespoon of your hot honey sauce, and a squeeze of [lemon juice] for the drizzle.
- Once the chicken is seared, brush half of that beautiful hot honey sauce over the top. Transfer the entire skillet to the hot oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through to 165°F. This is Grandma's secret: that time in the oven lets the sauce get sticky and caramelized, not just wet.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and brush with the remaining hot honey sauce. Let it rest for 5 minutes; this is so important for keeping it juicy. Then, slice it into bite-sized pieces.
- Time to build your masterpiece! Start with a bed of fluffy [cooked quinoa]. Top it with the roasted sweet potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, and a handful of the slaw made from [purple cabbage] and [shredded carrots]. Add the sliced hot honey chicken, a sprinkle of [crumbled bacon] if you're using it, and a generous drizzle of the hot honey mustard sauce. Garnish with some fresh [chopped parsley].
Notes
- Grandma’s Tip for Crispy Veggies: Don’t overcrowd your pans! Give the vegetables plenty of space to roast. If they’re too close together, they’ll steam and become soggy instead of getting those delicious crispy edges.
- Adjusting the Heat: If you’re sensitive to spice, start with just 1 tablespoon of hot sauce. You can always add more to your own bowl later. For a spicier kick, add an extra pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Storage & Meal Prep: These bowls are perfect for meal prep! Store components in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep the drizzle separate and add it just before serving to keep everything fresh. Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
