Quick Nashville Hot Honey Chicken with Rice

This post is sponsored by Minute Rice. All opinions are my own. #AD #MinuteRicePartner

I’ve got a delicious new go-to dinner when I’m craving something sweet with a little kick… it’s a Quick Nashville Hot Honey Chicken with Rice! This recipe is full of shortcuts, but so satisfying! One of the shortcuts is using Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cups, which has the perfect blend of sweet and heat, so you don’t need much else. Plus, two cups take just 90 seconds to heat in the microwave, so this meal is ready in a flash. Southern-style hot honey chicken tenders are tossed with the rice and a Nashville hot honey sauce in a skillet until the flavors meld before being served with a simple homemade coleslaw to balance the spice. Get the hot honey chicken and rice recipe at the end of this post, but first I’m sharing tips and step-by-step photos for making the Nashville hot chicken tenders recipe. You can find these Minute Rice Cups (and a variety of others) on Instacart. I personally love to keep them stocked in my pantry since they’re so quick, easy, and versatile… not to mention naturally non-GMO and gluten-free, and free of preservatives and cholesterol!

More Minute Rice recipe ideas like this hot honey chicken tenders recipe:

• Southwestern Dirty Rice
• Cilantro-Lime Chicken and Rice Soup
• Quick Chicken Paella
• Easy Spice Rice
• Mexican Rice Salad

What you need to make Nashville hot chicken tenders with rice

Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cups bring a delicious blend of savory, sweet, and a hint of spice, so the other ingredients in this recipe are just meant to complement that great flavor. You can also play with the spice quantities to add more or less kick to the finished recipe. Here’s what you’ll need to make this hot honey chicken with rice:

• Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cups (the rice contains just the right balance of hot and honey, so it’s not overpowering for kids but still contains the right amount of sizzle)
• 7 ounces shredded coleslaw mix (if you can’t find a 7-ounce pack, you can use half of a 14-ounce pack)
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (I prefer a savory mayonnaise as opposed to a sweet dressing for this recipe)
• 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
• ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
• 16 ounces frozen breaded Southern-style chicken strips (the kind with southern spices or buttermilk batter), cooked to package directions and sliced
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup hot honey
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon – 1 teaspoon cayenne (depending on how much heat you like; you can also skip the cayenne altogether for a sweeter, milder meal)
• Optional: sliced pickles

How to make this hot honey chicken tender and rice recipe with Minute Rice Cups

This Nashville hot honey chicken tender meal with rice is an incredible blend of flavors and textures, and it is made in under 30 minutes (including prep time for preparing the frozen chicken). 

First, you’ll make a simple (but delicious) homemade coleslaw. In a medium bowl, toss coleslaw mix, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and salt together with tongs until well mixed. Refrigerate the coleslaw until you’re ready to serve.

Next, you’ll make an easy Nashville hot honey sauce by adding butter, hot honey, garlic powder, and cayenne (more or less to taste) to a skillet. Cook the Nashville hot honey sauce recipe over low heat, stirring frequently until hot and bubbly, and the ingredients are well incorporated. Toss the chicken tender pieces into the hot sauce, stirring to coat.

Meanwhile, remove the Minute Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cups from their packaging and remove the top film. Place both cups in the microwave and heat for 90 seconds. Stir the heated rice into the chicken and hot honey mixture in the skillet. Cook for 1-2 more minutes, or until everything is hot and the ingredients are well mixed.

Serve the hot honey chicken and rice with the reserved coleslaw and sliced pickles (if desired).

Shop for Hot Honey Chicken Seasoned Rice Cups and all the other varieties of Minute Rice Cups on Instacart (their delicious flavors include Chicken & Herb, Cilantro & Lime, Jalapeño, Yellow, and more). Your recipe options are endless when you keep your pantry stocked with these quick and easy rice cups! Enjoy this hot honey chicken tender recipe!