Healthy and versatile Honey Lime Chicken Macro Bowls are the ultimate meal prep! Juicy and delicious chicken, fluffy rice, roasted sweet potatoes and fresh leafy greens topped with a simple homemade honey-lime dressing.
This easy macro bowl recipe was the perfect way to set up for a week of healthy eating. I prepped everything on Sunday and ate these for lunch throughout the week. The honey-lime dressing was my favorite part!
-Angel
Rice bowls. Buddah Bowls. Grain Bowls. Nourish Bowls. Whatever name you like to use, this recipe is currently one of my most favorite things to eat.
Please imagine this:
- Seasoned juicy chicken, baked to juicy perfection (lean protein)
- Served alongside a pile of fluffy brown rice (whole grains)
- Annnnd ... crisped roasted sweet potatoes (complex carbohydrates)
- Rounded out by a pile dark leafy greens (raw veggies)
- Topped with an addictively tangy olive oil + honey-lime dressing situation (healthy fats)
As with any bowl situation, there are tons of opportunities for changing things up: different protein, different veggies, different dressings.
Use Pre-cooked chicken sausage? Swap cooked quinoa from brown rice? Add black beans? Throw a couple pumpkin seeds on top? The world is yours.
I used a store-bought rotisserie chicken and frozen brown rice because that's the type of shortcut situation I currently need in my life. If you have the time and energy to bake your own chicken, coated in THIS marinade, I promise it will be worth the effort.
Why I LOVE Macro Bowls:
Nutrient Dense - they have it all ... vitamins, minerals, lean protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and ALL. THE. Veggies.
Make Ahead - each individual component is simple to make and can be prepared in advance.
Versatile - the possibilities are endless, a true choose your own adventure situation that makes this recipe customizable and family friendly.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- extra virgin olive oil - provides the healthy fats, a high-quality oil is always best when making dressings
- limes - choose a lime that's medium green and firm
- honey - a little natural sweetness for the honey-lime dressing
- dijon mustard - imparts flavor and stabilizes the emulsion of the dressing
- prepared chicken - I recommend using a store-bought rotisserie chicken - meat should be separated from the skin and bones and shredded or diced
- sweet potatoes - choose firm, small-medium potatoes with smooth skin.
- baby spinach - look for pre-washed baby spinach leaves that are crisp and un-wilted
- prepared brown rice - purchasing frozen, microwavable rice is the easiest way to go.
Instructions
Step 1: Honey-lime dressing. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lime, dijon mustard, honey, salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
Step 2: Roast the sweet potatoes. Preheat oven. On a large baking sheet, toss sweet potatoes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until tender, tossing halfway through.
Step 3: IF SERVING IMMEDIATELY. Arrange prepared brown rice, diced/shredded chicken, roasted sweet potatoes and a handful of raw baby spinach into a bowl. Top with honey-lime dressing.
Step 4: If MEAL PREPPING -Refrigerate macro components individually in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Use as needed to create healthy effortless meals.
Top Tip: Get creative. Swap chicken for lean sausage, add some bell pepper to up your non-starchy carbohydrates, top the bowl with black beans, etc. Macro bowls are easily customizable and variety ensures that you won't get tired of enjoying these colorful bowls on repeat.
Substitutions
Chicken - swap out rotisserie chicken for seasoned turkey sausage, chopped steak, or pulled pork
Brown Rice -substitute for any whole grain - try quinoa, millet or barley
Healthy fats - avocado, hummus, or your favorite nuts all make great additions. Olive oil can be subbed for avocado oil if you prefer a milder flavor
Cooked or raw veggies - spinach, bell pepper, cucumber, carrot, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, brussels sprouts would all taste great
Vegan - swap out chicken for your favorite plant-based protein and add maple syryp to the dressing in place of honey
Variations
Easy Mexican Macro Bowl - swap out the honey-lime dressing for cilantro-lime dressing (to a food processor or blender, add 1 cup cilantro, ½ cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 2 garlic cloves, ¼ cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon vinegar, and ¼ teaspoon salt). Blend. Use romaine lettuce in place of spinach and toss on some cherry tomatoes and black beans.
Crunchy - take these bowls to the next level by adding some roasted nuts, sesame seeds or granola as a topping.
Storage
Honey-lime chicken macro bowl ingredients can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. I recommend storing each different component in separate airtight containers. The dressing will stay fresh for up to a week while the vegetables and grains should be used within 4 days.
Roasted potatoes and fresh spinach do not freezer well, but prepared shredded or diced chicken and brown rice can be sealed in an airtight bag and placed in the freezer for up to 3 months.
FAQ's - Honey Lime Macro Bowls
Yes. This is a useful shortcut. To make sure the potatoes aren't mushy, place the sheet pan into the oven while it is preheating so that it's nice and hot. Once the oven is pre-heated, drop the frozen potatoes straight onto the hot pan, drizzle with olive oil, toss and season liberally with salt and pepper. Tastes great every time!
Yes. I find that everything tastes best when each component is stored seperately, however, if you want to pre-assemble the bowls that can work. DO NOT add the honey-lime dressing until just before eating. Cover each individual bowl tightly with plastic wrap.
Recipe
Honey-Lime Chicken Macro Bowls (Easy Recipe)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 bowls 1x
Description
Healthy and versatile Chicken Macro Bowls are the ultimate meal prep! Juicy and delicious chicken, fluffy rice, roasted sweet potatoes and fresh leafy greens topped with a simple homemade honey-lime dressing.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil + more for drizzling potatoes
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- salt
- pepper
- 1 large pre-cooked rotisserie chicken *
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into ¾" cubes
- 2 cups prepared brown rice**
Instructions
- Honey-lime dressing. In a small bowl or jar, combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, the juice of 1 lime, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Prepare roasted sweet potatoes. Heat oven to 425 F. On a large baking sheet, toss sweet potatoes with olive oil and season liberally with salt and pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes or until tender, tossing halfway through. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Assemble macro bowls. If serving immediately, divide the desired amount of chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes and spinach into bowl(s). Top with honey-lime dressing. If meal prepping (or storing leftovers), place each individual component in an airtight bag or container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To serve, reheat potatoes and/or chicken, create your bowl and then top with honey-lime dressing.
Notes
If you do not want to use a rotisserie chicken you will need 1 - 1.5 pounds of prepared chicken diced or shredded. This simple spiced balsamic marinade is my go-to when preparing chicken breasts.
Purchasing frozen brown rice in a steam-able bag is suggested. I usually cook 2 bags.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Meals
- Method: oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 463
- Sugar: 7.1 g
- Sodium: 299.9 mg
- Fat: 11.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 68.8 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 55.2 mg
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