honey garlic chicken
high protein meal prep
chicken rice bowl
basmati rice
sumac onions
air fryer chicken
oven baked chicken
turmeric rice
healthy lunch
macro friendly
04 November 2025

High-Protein Honey Garlic Chicken Rice Bowls 🍯🔥—Easy Meal Prep for the Week

Jalalsamfit (adapted by JojoM)

High-Protein Honey Garlic Chicken Rice Bowls 🍯🔥—Easy Meal Prep for the Week

Juicy honey garlic chicken with golden turmeric basmati rice and sumac-lemon onions. High protein, macro-balanced, and perfect for 5 make-ahead lunches.

Meal Prep Goals, Met 🍯🔥

If you’re chasing flavour and macros in one bowl, this Honey Garlic Chicken Rice Bowl hits the mark perfectly. Juicy, spiced chicken paired with fluffy golden basmati rice and bright sumac-onion salad—it’s meal prep that actually excites you! 🙌

The best part? You can bake or air fry the chicken for equally juicy results, and each portion packs 49g of protein with balanced carbs and healthy fats. It’s the kind of high-protein meal prep that’s low on effort but high on satisfaction.


The Secret to Tender Chicken 🍗✨

The chicken gets marinated in a blend of yogurt, honey, olive oil, and aromatic spices—garlic powder, paprika, coriander, cinnamon, and turmeric. This combination not only infuses the meat with flavour but also tenderises it beautifully.

Yogurt locks in moisture, while honey caramelises for that golden, sticky finish. Whether roasted in the oven or air fried, every bite stays juicy and slightly smoky from the paprika.

Pro tip: Pat your chicken dry first so the spices cling better and brown evenly.


Golden Turmeric Rice—The Perfect Side 🍚💛

This rice is anything but plain. Basmati grains are tossed in light butter, turmeric, and paprika until fluffy and fragrant. Add a few cinnamon sticks and a sprinkle of parsley to transform it into a golden, aromatic base for your bowl.

Cooling the rice before seasoning helps the butter coat each grain—no clumping, just perfectly separated, tender rice that feels special enough for a restaurant plate.


Zesty Sumac Onions 🌿🍋

These tangy onions are your flavour booster! Sliced red onions are tossed with parsley, sumac, and lemon juice for a refreshing crunch that cuts through the richness of the chicken and rice.

Sumac adds that distinct tangy brightness, almost like lemon zest meets spice. Keep them separate until serving so they stay crisp and vibrant all week long.


How to Serve & Store 🥗

🥣 Divide your golden rice into containers, top with chicken, and pack the onions on the side.
🥄 Add a dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of tahini when serving for extra creaminess and protein.
❄️ Keeps beautifully for up to 4 days in the fridge—just reheat the chicken and rice before topping.

Each bowl comes together in under an hour, making this the ultimate Sunday prep recipe for a busy week ahead.


Why You’ll Love It 💪

  • High-protein & balanced: 49g protein per serving keeps you full and fueled.
  • Meal prep friendly: Stays fresh and flavorful even after reheating.
  • Customisable: Adjust the cinnamon, spice, or rice-to-chicken ratio to your preference.
  • Air fryer or oven options: Both yield golden, juicy perfection.

Final Thoughts 🌟

This Honey Garlic Chicken Rice Bowl isn’t just another meal prep—it’s a crave-worthy combo of savoury, sweet, and tangy. Whether you’re fueling gym sessions or just want a delicious lunch ready to go, it’s a keeper.

Batch it, box it, and thank yourself later.


Macros per serving: 520 kcal | 49g Protein | 47g Carbs | 15g Fat
Prep time: 20 mins | Cook time: 28 mins | Total: 48 mins
Serves: 5

Source: @jalalsamfit | Adapted by JojoM

High-Protein Honey Garlic Chicken Rice Bowls 🍯🔥—Easy Meal Prep for the Week

Jalalsamfit (adapted by JojoM)

Juicy honey garlic chicken with golden turmeric basmati rice and sumac-lemon onions. High protein, macro-balanced, and perfect for 5 make-ahead lunches.

High-Protein Honey Garlic Chicken Rice Bowls 🍯🔥—Easy Meal Prep for the Week image
honey garlic chicken
high protein meal prep
chicken rice bowl
basmati rice
sumac onions
air fryer chicken
oven baked chicken
turmeric rice
healthy lunch
macro friendly
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
28 mins
Total Time
48 mins
Servings
5

Chef's Tips

  • Pat chicken dry before cooking for better browning.

  • Mix chicken breast and thigh meat for juicier texture.

  • Cool rice fully before tossing with butter and spices to stay fluffy.

  • Store onions and yogurt separately to keep bowls fresh.

  • Add a spoonful of yogurt when serving for creaminess and protein.

  • Use less cinnamon (½ tsp) for a milder taste.

Tools Used

We use affiliate links, which may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Ingredients

USMetric

Honey Garlic Chicken

Pickled Onions

Golden Aromatic Rice

Instructions

Prepare the Honey Garlic Chicken

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 185°C (365°F) or air fryer to 185–190°C (365–375°F).

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, mix chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, coriander, olive oil, yogurt, and honey until evenly coated.

  3. 3

    Spread on a parchment-lined tray or air fryer basket.

  4. 4

    Bake or air fry for 25–28 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temp ~74°C/165°F).

Make the Pickled Onions

  1. 1

    Combine sliced onions, parsley, sumac, salt, and lemon juice in a bowl.

  2. 2

    Toss and let rest for 10 minutes to soften. Store separately until serving.

Prepare the Golden Rice

  1. 1

    Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat; add cinnamon sticks and toast for 2 minutes until aromatic.

  2. 2

    Add cooled basmati rice, turmeric, salt, paprika, and parsley.

  3. 3

    Fold gently until evenly golden and fluffy.

Assemble & Store

  1. 1

    Divide rice into 5 meal containers. Top with honey garlic chicken.

  2. 2

    Pack onions and a tablespoon of yogurt separately.

  3. 3

    Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat chicken and rice before serving; add onions and yogurt fresh.

Comments & Reviews

  • Farah

    10/26/2025

    Loved the tang from the sumac onions. Really brightens the dish!

  • Lena

    10/24/2025

    I used an air fryer—done in 25 minutes. Great post-workout meal!

  • Chris

    10/22/2025

    Too much cinnamon for me at 1 tsp, ½ tsp next time. Still amazing flavor combo!

  • Nina

    10/20/2025

    Used a mix of thighs and breast—super juicy. Cinnamon is subtle and delicious!

  • Jake P.

    10/19/2025

    Perfect meal prep idea. I froze two portions and rotated—still tasted great.

  • Maya J.

    10/18/2025

    Had to look up sumac—now I’m obsessed! Adds so much brightness.

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 bowl

Calories 520
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g19%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol mgNaN%
Sodium 780mg34%
Total Carbohydrates 47g17%
Dietary Fiber 4g14%
Sugars 10g
Protein 49g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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High-Protein Honey Garlic Chicken Rice Bowls 🍯🔥—Easy Meal Prep for the Week