Perfecting Your Meal Prep with Honey Chicken Delight
The honey chicken recipe I’m about to share with you is a fantastic way to enhance your meal prep routine, offering both flavor and convenience. Whether you’re a seasoned meal prepper or just beginning your journey, this dish is designed to make your week delicious and stress-free. The balance of sweet honey, spicy sriracha, and savory garlic infused into succulent chicken thighs creates a mouth-watering dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for storing. Let’s dive into how you can effortlessly incorporate this delectable honey chicken into your weekly meal prep.
Gather Your Ingredients
To start, gather your ingredients. This recipe requires six cloves of garlic, two spring onions or scallions, baby bok choy, and pak choi. Each of these ingredients will play a crucial role in enhancing both the flavor and nutritional value of your dish. Thinly slice the garlic cloves, using four for the chicken marinade and two for the couscous. Similarly, slice the spring onions into thin rounds, reserving half for the couscous and the rest for the stir-fried veggies and garnish.
Preparing the Vegetables and Couscous
Both the baby bok choy and pak choi need a good wash to remove any dirt, then chop them roughly. These veggies will be stir-fried to add a delightful crispness and nutritional boost to your meal. While preparing them, you’ll also cook the couscous using chicken stock instead of water, enhancing its flavor profile significantly.
Creating the Chicken Marinade
Now, it’s time to build the bold flavors of the chicken marinade. Start by placing 1 kilogram (or 2.2 pounds) of boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a large mixing bowl. Add four cloves of garlic, finely minced, and 2.5 grams of onion powder. Season with salt and ground white pepper, which is preferable to black pepper for a smoother finish. Mix these ingredients thoroughly, allowing the chicken to marinate. For optimal flavor absorption, let it sit for up to 48 hours, although you can also proceed immediately if you’re short on time.
Cooking the Couscous
While the chicken soaks up the marinade, prepare the couscous. Use 320 milliliters (or 1.5 cups) of low-sodium chicken stock and bring it to a boil with two minced garlic cloves. Once boiling, add 280 grams (or 1.5 cups) of couscous, stir, and remove from heat. Cover it and let it sit for ten minutes, allowing the liquid to absorb fully. This step ensures your couscous is fluffy and perfectly cooked. After the ten minutes, fluff it up with a fork and blend in the spring onions, checking seasoning levels as needed.
Stir-Frying the Vegetables
Next, focus on the stir-fried vegetables. Heat a tablespoon of peanut oil in a wok over high heat. Add the prepared bok choy and pak choi, seasoning to taste with salt and ground white pepper. Stir-fry for about 4 to 5 minutes until the leaves wilt slightly and develop a delightful char. This process releases a smoky aroma that will infuse your kitchen with mouthwatering flavors. To elevate the dish, consider tossing in sesame oil and sesame seeds before adding the reserved spring onions. Cook for another minute and set aside.
Cooking the Chicken
With the sides ready, turn your attention back to the chicken. Dice the marinated thighs into medium-sized pieces for even cooking. In the same wok, heat another tablespoon of peanut oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, ensuring an even spread for consistent cooking. Cook them without stirring initially to create a crust, then stir occasionally for eight minutes until perfectly cooked.
Making the Honey Sriracha Sauce
As the chicken reaches optimal doneness, it’s time to prepare the sauce that ties everything together—honey sriracha. Combine 70 grams of honey with 50 grams of sriracha sauce, 30 milliliters of apple cider vinegar, 10 milliliters of sesame oil, and ground white pepper to taste in a bowl. Mix well until the ingredients are fully integrated. Pour this sauce over the cooked chicken, stirring for two minutes until it thickens and glazes the meat evenly.
Assembling Your Meal Prep
To assemble, divide the components into meal-prep containers. Layer with fluffy couscous, savory chicken, and vibrant stir-fried veggies. To finish, sprinkle sesame seeds and remaining spring onions on top. These meals will last 3 to 4 days refrigerated, or up to four months frozen. Simply defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat as desired for a wholesome and satisfying meal.
Enjoy this honey chicken recipe that transforms everyday ingredients into a delectable feast, ensuring that your meal prep is as enjoyable as it is efficient!
Upgrade your meal prep game with this honey chicken recipe. Enjoy succulent chicken marinated in garlic and sriracha, paired with fluffy couscous and stir-fried veggies.