This vibrant and satisfying is a flavor explosion that brings together sweet, savory, and tangy notes in every bite. Featuring tender, crispy halal chicken coated in a luscious honey garlic sauce, perfectly balanced with fluffy rice, a creamy herb egg salad, and fresh veggies, it’s an ideal dish for a healthy lunch or dinner that's bursting with taste and color. This recipe is designed to be simple, elegant, and absolutely delicious!
📜 Ingredients
For the Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless halal chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs), cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 large egg, whisked
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1/4 cup halal certified soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
For the Creamy Herb Egg Salad:
4 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled and roughly chopped
1/4 cup halal mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (optional)
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
For the Meal Bowl Assembly:
2 cups cooked white rice
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup shredded lettuce
For the Passion Fruit Refresher:
1/2 cup fresh passion fruit pulp (about 2-3 passion fruits)
1 cup cold water
1-2 tablespoons sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
1/2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Ice cubes
📝 Instructions
- Prepare the Crispy Chicken: In a shallow bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, whisk the egg. Dredge chicken pieces first in the egg, then coat thoroughly in the flour mixture.
- Heat 1-2 inches of oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken pieces in batches for 4-6 minutes per batch, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack to drain excess oil.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a separate small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the frying oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in halal soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil.
- Gently toss the fried chicken bites with the honey garlic sauce until evenly coated. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Prepare the Creamy Herb Egg Salad: In a medium bowl, combine chopped hard-boiled eggs, halal mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, fresh parsley, and dill (if using). Mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked white rice, honey garlic chicken, creamy herb egg salad, halved cherry tomatoes, and shredded lettuce into individual serving bowls.
- Make the Passion Fruit Refresher: In a glass, combine passion fruit pulp, cold water, sugar/honey, and lime juice. Stir well until sugar dissolves. Add ice cubes just before serving.
💡 Chef's Tips
- Meal Prep Perfect: This recipe is fantastic for meal prepping! Store the chicken, rice, and egg salad in separate containers to maintain freshness and texture, then assemble just before serving.
- Veggie Swap: Feel free to substitute cherry tomatoes and lettuce with your favorite crisp vegetables like cucumber slices, shredded carrots, or steamed broccoli for added nutrition and variety.
- Spice It Up: For a hint of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the honey garlic sauce while it simmers.
- Air Fryer Option: For a healthier, less oily version of the chicken, air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through.
