Description
This Buffalo Chicken Bowls recipe offers a flavorful, wholesome meal combining tender, spiced chicken tossed in spicy buffalo sauce with fresh vegetables, creamy blue cheese, and a cooling ranch dressing over a bed of fluffy rice. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s a vibrant dish bursting with a balance of heat, tanginess, and freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Seasoning
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce & Dressing
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
Base & Toppings
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for any additional cooking or warming needs.
- Heat Skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil to heat evenly.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken breast thoroughly with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper for a balanced flavor profile.
- Cook Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken breast to the hot skillet and cook it for 5-7 minutes on each side until the chicken is fully cooked and golden brown on the outside, ensuring it reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and allow it to rest for a few minutes to retain juices and improve tenderness.
- Cook Rice: While the chicken rests, prepare the rice according to package instructions until fluffy and tender.
- Cool Rice: Set the cooked rice aside to cool slightly to prevent wilting the fresh toppings when assembling.
- Shred Chicken: Using two forks, shred the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces or slice thinly depending on your preference for texture.
- Toss Chicken with Buffalo Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and toss thoroughly until the chicken is evenly coated with the spicy sauce.
- Assemble Base: Start assembling the bowls by placing a generous portion of cooked rice as the base layer in each serving bowl.
- Add Buffalo Chicken: Layer the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the rice base for a spicy and juicy main component.
- Add Lettuce: Add a fresh layer of shredded lettuce on top of the crispy buffalo chicken to add crunch and balance.
- Add Cherry Tomatoes: Scatter halved cherry tomatoes over the lettuce for bursts of sweetness and color.
- Sprinkle Blue Cheese: Evenly distribute blue cheese crumbles over the bowl to provide creamy, tangy contrast to the spicy buffalo chicken.
- Drizzle Ranch Dressing: Drizzle ranch dressing over the entire bowl to add a cooling element that complements the buffalo heat.
- Garnish: Finish by garnishing the bowl with chopped green onions for freshness and a slight sharp taste.
- Serve: Serve the buffalo chicken bowls immediately for the best taste experience and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute buffalo sauce with a milder wing sauce to adjust spice level.
- For a low-carb option, replace rice with cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps.
- Blue cheese can be substituted with feta or omitted for a milder flavor.
- Leftover buffalo chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adding avocado slices can provide a creamy texture and additional healthy fats.
