Can I use gluten-free flour?

Yes — use a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend.

Do these freeze well?

Yes — freeze after cooling and thaw in the refrigerator.

You can reduce the brown sugar by ¼ cup without affecting texture.

Can I use chicken thighs?

Yes — thighs stay juicier and add richer flavor.

Can I substitute the rice?

Yes — quinoa, orzo, couscous, or mixed greens all work well.

Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes — store ingredients separately and assemble when serving.

Is blackened tuna spicy?

It has a mild-to-moderate heat. Reduce the cayenne pepper or jalapeño for a milder version.

Can I grill the tuna instead?

Yes. Grill over high heat for the same amount of time, making sure the grates are well-oiled.

What type of tuna should I use?

Ahi (yellowfin) or sushi-grade tuna works best for searing.

Can I make the mango salsa ahead of time?

Yes. The mango salsa can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

Dirty rice has a mild-to-moderate heat. You can easily adjust the spice level by reducing the Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper.

Can I make Cajun dirty rice ahead of time?

Yes. Store dirty rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can I freeze Cajun dirty rice?

Yes. Cajun dirty rice freezes well for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.

What meat can I substitute for beef?

Ground turkey or ground chicken can be used as a lighter alternative to ground beef.

Is Cajun cornbread spicy?

Cajun cornbread has a mild-to-moderate heat. You can adjust the spice level by reducing the jalapeño or cayenne pepper.

Can I make Cajun cornbread ahead of time?

Yes. Cajun cornbread can be baked up to one day ahead and reheated gently before serving.

Can I freeze Cajun cornbread?

Yes. Wrap the cornbread tightly and freeze for up to three months. Thaw and reheat before serving.

Can I make Cajun cornbread without cheese?

Yes. You can omit the cheese for a dairy-light version without affecting the texture.

Gumbo is mildly spicy. You can adjust the heat by increasing or reducing the cayenne pepper or Cajun seasoning.

Can I make chicken and sausage gumbo ahead of time?

Yes. Gumbo tastes even better the next day and keeps well in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can I freeze chicken and sausage gumbo?

Yes. Gumbo freezes well for up to three months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.

Do I have to use okra in gumbo?

No. Okra helps thicken gumbo, but you can omit it or use filé powder if preferred.

Are Cajun roasted potatoes spicy?

They have a mild-to-moderate heat. You can adjust the spice level by using more or less Cajun seasoning.

Can I make Cajun roasted potatoes ahead of time?

They are best served fresh, but leftovers reheat well in the oven or air fryer.

Can I use red or russet potatoes?

Yes. Just cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces to ensure even roasting.

Are Cajun roasted potatoes vegan?

Yes. This recipe is naturally dairy-free and vegan as written.

Is Cajun shrimp & grits spicy?

Cajun shrimp and grits has a mild-to-moderate heat. You can reduce the Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper to make it milder.

Can I make Cajun shrimp and grits ahead of time?

The shrimp are best cooked fresh, but the grits can be made ahead and reheated gently with a splash of broth or milk.

Can I use instant grits?

Yes, but stone-ground grits provide the best flavor and creamiest texture.

Can I substitute milk for cream?

Yes, whole milk can be used, though the grits will be slightly less rich.

Hot Honey Chicken Keto Bowl (Sugar-Free, Sweet & Spicy)

Sarah Smith
Jan 11
3 min read

Bowl of glazed chicken pieces with sesame seeds and green onions, sliced avocado, lime wedge, and rice. Vivid colors, appetizing look.

This Hot Honey Chicken Keto Bowl is sweet, spicy, and deeply satisfying, featuring bold hot-honey flavor made completely sugar-free. Tender chicken is coated in a sticky, chili-infused glaze that delivers that familiar sweet-heat balance, then layered over a creamy, high-protein base for a bowl that feels comforting without being heavy. It’s cozy, crave-worthy, and perfect when you want something bold yet balanced.

Whether you’re meal-prepping lunches or pulling together a quick weeknight dinner, this bowl brings big flavor with simple ingredients. It pairs beautifully with savory options like the Avocado Everything Bagel Cottage Cheese Bowl, while sweeter favorites such as the Cinnamon Roll Cottage Cheese Bowl add warm, bakery-style comfort, and the Berry Cheesecake Cottage Cheese Bowl, or Lemon Cheesecake Cottage Cheese Bowl offers a lighter, fruit-forward contrast. Together, these bowls make it easy to mix sweet and savory flavors throughout the week while keeping meals keto-friendly, satisfying, and anything but boring.

Why You’ll Love This

Sweet and spicy hot honey flavor without sugar
High in protein and incredibly filling
Keto-friendly and low-carb
Ready in under 30 minutes
Great for meal prep or weeknight dinners

Recipe Card

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 25 minutes Servings: 2 bowls

Nutrition (Approximate, per serving)

Calories: ~390
Protein: ~42g
Fat: ~18g
Carbs: ~7g
Fiber: ~1g
Sugar: ~2g

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Sugar-Free Hot Honey Sauce

¼ cup sugar-free honey substitute
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1–2 teaspoons chili flakes or hot sauce (to taste)
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)

For the Bowl

1 cup full-fat cottage cheese (or cauliflower rice, if preferred)
Optional toppings: sliced avocado, green onions, sesame seeds

Instructions

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and lightly golden.
In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar-free honey substitute, apple cider vinegar, chili flakes or hot sauce, and cayenne (if using).
Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken and stir well. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken evenly.
Divide cottage cheese (or cauliflower rice) between bowls. Top with hot honey chicken and finish with optional toppings before serving.

Notes & Tips

Chicken thighs stay extra juicy and work especially well with the sticky glaze.
Adjust heat by increasing or reducing chili flakes or cayenne.
For meal prep, store chicken separately and assemble bowls just before serving.

FAQs

Is sugar-free honey keto-friendly? Yes. Sugar-free honey substitutes made with monk fruit or allulose can fit into a keto lifestyle when used in moderation.

Can I grill the chicken instead? Yes. Grilled chicken works well—toss it with the hot honey sauce just before serving.

Can I make this dairy-free? Yes. Swap the cottage cheese base for cauliflower rice or shredded lettuce.

Final Thoughts

This Hot Honey Chicken Keto Bowl delivers bold sweet-and-spicy flavor in a way that still feels cozy, balanced, and satisfying. With tender chicken, a sticky sugar-free glaze, and a creamy base, it’s the kind of bowl that feels indulgent while staying protein-focused and weeknight-friendly — one you’ll want to keep in regular rotation.