Honey-Lime Chicken Thighs with Cilantro Lime Rice

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender, juicy chicken thighs glazed with honey-lime sauce, served over zesty cilantro rice for a vibrant weeknight meal. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, honey, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Asian-inspired cuisine 580 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Step 3: While chicken cooks, combine 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl; whisk until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Pour honey-lime glaze over chicken in the skillet, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats chicken.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, cook 1 cup jasmine rice and 1.5 cups water in a rice cooker or pot until fluffy (about 15 minutes). Fluff with a fork, then stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and 1 tsp lime zest.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Lime Chicken Thighs with Cilantro Lime Rice take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Honey-Lime Chicken Thighs with Cilantro Lime Rice?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Lime Chicken Thighs with Cilantro Lime Rice?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Honey-Lime Chicken Thighs with Cilantro Lime Rice for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Honey-Lime Chicken Thighs with Cilantro Lime Rice gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes