Name: Honey Pepper Chicken Over Rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup of white rice; 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (diced); 1 tbsp of vegetable oil; 1 tsp of garlic salt; 1 tsp of pepper; 1 tsp of red pepper flakes; 1 tbsp of vegetable oil; 3 cloves of garlic (minced); 1 red bell pepper (diced); 1/2 cup of honey; 1/4 cup of soy sauce; Scallions for topping

This Honey Pepper Chicken Over Rice is one of those reliable dinners you can make with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

It feels classic but is still the kind of easy weeknight meal that quickly becomes a family favorite.

The chicken is soft and juicy, the honey adds sweetness, the pepper adds a kick, and everything comes together in a sauce that clings to the chicken beautifully.

Served over fluffy rice, it’s the kind of dinner that always hits the spot. It’s a simple meal that brings restaurant-quality flavor to your own kitchen without much work at all – my favorite!

Perfect for busy weeknights, a simple family meal, or meal-prep for the week!

As you make your way to the recipe, don’t skip the tips section – those small details help everything come out just right.

Serves: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dish gives you an easy way to bring a tasty meal to the table with everyday ingredients.

It also cooks in one pan, keeps cleanup simple, and pairs with just about anything you have available: steamed rice, cauliflower rice, roasted veggies, or even noodles.

Use it for family dinner, meal prep, feeding guests, or stocking the fridge.

The ingredients are probably already in your pantry, reminding you why home cooking is worth it. A classic chicken dish that the whole family – even the kids! – is sure to love.

A white bowl of rice topped with sautéed chicken, red bell peppers, and green onions, placed on a red checkered napkin with a wooden spoon beside it.

A white plate of rice topped with stir-fried chicken, red bell peppers, and green onions sits on a red checkered cloth with a wooden spoon nearby.

How To Make Honey Pepper Chicken Over Rice

Raw chicken strips on a plate, green onions, a red bell pepper, and small bowls of sauce, oil, minced garlic, and assorted spices on a white surface.

Ingredients

1 cup of white rice
3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (diced)
1 tbsp of vegetable oil
1 tsp of garlic salt
1 tsp of pepper
1 tsp of red pepper flakes
1 tbsp of vegetable oil
3 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 red bell pepper (diced)
1/2 cup of honey
1/4 cup of soy sauce
Scallions for topping

A white bowl filled with white rice, topped with shrimp, chopped tomatoes, and green onions, sits on a red and white checkered cloth on a wooden surface.

A white plate of white rice topped with pieces of cooked chicken, red bell peppers, and chopped green onions.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Start the rice so it’s finished around the same time as the chicken.

In a large bowl add the diced chicken breasts, 1 tbsp oil, garlic salt, pepper and onion powder.

A black bowl with raw, cubed chicken breasts topped with various spices, including crushed red pepper and ground seasonings, on a white marble surface.

Stir to combine.

To a large skillet add the remaining 1 tbsp of oil to the pan and cook the diced chicken over a medium to high heat.

2. Stir and cook for about 8 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked.

Cooked, browned chicken pieces are spread out in a nonstick skillet on a marble countertop.

Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Add the garlic and diced bell pepper to the skillet and stir over a medium heat for 1-2 minutes.

Chopped red and orange bell peppers being sautéed with minced garlic in a nonstick frying pan on a marble surface.

Add in the honey and the soy sauce and stir until a sauce forms and gets slightly thick.

Add the chicken to the pan and toss it so it gets coated.

A frying pan containing cooked chicken pieces and red bell peppers in a brown sauce, set on a marble surface.

4. Serve it over rice and top with chopped scallions.

A plate of white rice topped with cooked chicken, chopped tomatoes, and green onions, placed on a red checkered cloth next to a wooden spoon, green onions, and a red bell pepper.

A plate of white rice topped with pieces of chicken, chopped red bell peppers, and green onions sits on a red checkered napkin with a wooden spoon beside it.

Tips, Tricks and Storage

Here are a few things I’ve picked up while tinkering around with this recipe. Nothing fancy, just the tricks that make a difference.

Simmer Until the Sauce Thickens: Let the sauce reduce until it becomes glossy. If it’s too thin, keep it on the heat a few more minutes. If it thickens too much, a splash of broth loosens it right back up.
Taste and Adjust as Needed: Every honey varies in sweetness, so taste the sauce before serving. A pinch of salt or a little more pepper can bring balance if needed.
Rice Options: White rice is classic, but jasmine, basmati, brown rice, or cauliflower rice all work beautifully. Make sure your rice is warm when serving — the heat helps the sauce settle into each grain.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to soften the sauce. *Pro tip* You can also prep single servings for work lunches. You can microwave straight from the fridge in a rush.
Variations: This dish is very flexible, and you can easily make changes to use what you have available. Add bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas during the last few minutes of cooking for more color and crunch. If you love heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes wakes everything up nicely. Looking for a low-carb option? Use cauliflower rice as a side, or pair with Roasted green beans or asparagus, steamed broccoli, or a simple side salad.

A white plate of rice topped with stir-fried chicken and red bell peppers, garnished with chopped green onions, sits on a red checkered napkin with a wooden spoon nearby.

Substitutions

Missing something or just trying to use what’s already in the fridge or pantry? This recipe is flexible. Use what you have around the house!

Chicken Breasts → Chicken thighs or drumsticks

Chicken thighs stay extra juicy, and both thighs and drumsticks go great with this sauce. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure they’re fully cooked through.

Chicken Broth → Vegetable Broth

Vegetable broth works just as well and keeps the dish lighter.

Rice → Cauliflower Rice or Noodles

Cauliflower rice makes the meal lower-carb and still soaks up the flavor nicely, while noodles work especially well for leftovers.

A plate of rice topped with cooked chicken, chopped tomatoes, and green onions sits on a red checkered cloth, with vegetables, a wooden spoon, and a drink in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this dish spicy?

Not at all. The pepper gives flavor, not heat. If you do want spice, add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes.

Q: Can I double the recipe?

Of course! Just make sure not to overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken.

Q: Can I make the sauce thicker?

Yes. Let it simmer a little longer, or whisk in a small cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water) during the final minutes.

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?

Definitely, this dish is great for meal prep! Store in the fridge and reheat gently. Add a splash of broth, if needed, to loosen the sauce.

If you loved this Honey Pepper Chicken Over Rice, you’ll enjoy some of our other easy weeknight meals. Try our Garlic Butter Honey BBQ Chicken Tacos and Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls next for more tasty dinners that make meal time simple!

Start Cooking

Prep Time:5

Cook Time:15

Total Time:20