🍋 Mediterranean Honey Lemon Chicken & Avocado Rice Stack
🕐 Total Time
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 25 min
Total: 45 min
🍗 Serves
2–3 people
Ingredients
🐔 For the Honey Lemon Chicken
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500 g (1 lb) chicken breasts or thighs, boneless and skinless
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2 tbsp olive oil
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2 tbsp honey
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2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
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1 tsp lemon zest
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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½ tsp ground cumin
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½ tsp smoked paprika (optional but delicious)
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
🍚 For the Herbed Rice
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1 cup uncooked jasmine or basmati rice
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2 cups chicken broth or water
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or cilantro)
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Salt, to taste
🥑 For the Avocado Layer
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2 ripe avocados
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1 tbsp lemon or lime juice
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Salt and pepper, to taste
🌿 Optional Garnishes
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Feta cheese crumbles
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Chopped cherry tomatoes
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Thinly sliced red onion
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Extra parsley or cilantro
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Lemon wedges
Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, whisk together:
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Olive oil, honey, lemon juice, zest, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Add the chicken and coat well. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours in the fridge).
2. Cook the Rice
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Rinse rice until the water runs clear.
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In a saucepan, combine rice, broth (or water), and a pinch of salt.
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Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes, until liquid is absorbed.
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Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and stir in olive oil, lemon juice, and parsley.
3. Cook the Chicken
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Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
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Cook the chicken for 5–7 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until golden and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F / 75°C).
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Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
4. Prepare the Avocado
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Mash or dice avocados in a bowl.
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Add lemon or lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix gently to keep it chunky.
5. Assemble the Stacks
Use a round mold, small bowl, or stack ingredients by layer:
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Bottom layer: Spoon a generous layer of herbed rice.
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Middle layer: Add mashed or diced avocado.
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Top layer: Place sliced honey-lemon chicken on top.
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Garnish with crumbled feta, tomatoes, herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil or honey.
🧂 Chef’s Tips
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For extra flavor, glaze the chicken with the remaining marinade during the last 1–2 minutes of cooking.
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Substitute rice with quinoa, cauliflower rice, or brown rice for a lighter version.
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Add a dollop of Greek yogurt sauce or tzatziki on the side for a Mediterranean touch.
🌿 Nutrition (approx. per serving)
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Calories: ~520 kcal
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Protein: 38 g
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Carbohydrates: 45 g
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Fat: 20 g
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Fiber: 6 g
