Spicy Buffalo Chicken Grain Bowl (Printable)
Spicy buffalo chicken over wholesome grains with crisp veggies and creamy dressing for a balanced meal.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
04 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Buffalo Sauce
05 - 1/3 cup hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot)
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 tbsp honey (optional)
→ Grains
08 - 1 cup brown rice, quinoa, or farro (uncooked)
09 - 2 1/2 cups water or broth
→ Vegetables & Toppings
10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - 1 large avocado, diced
12 - 1 cup shredded carrots
13 - 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
14 - 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese or feta
15 - 1/4 cup chopped green onions
16 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish
→ Dressing
17 - 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
18 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Rinse grains under cold water. Combine with water or broth in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer according to package directions until tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - Preheat oven to 400°F or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat until lightly smoking.
03 - Coat chicken breasts evenly with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Grill or bake for 6 to 7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.
04 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together hot sauce, melted butter, and honey until emulsified. Toss the sliced chicken in the sauce, coating each piece thoroughly.
05 - Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the avocado, shred the carrots, and thinly slice the cucumber. Chop green onions and set all components aside.
06 - Divide the cooked grains evenly among 4 bowls. Arrange buffalo chicken over the grains, then layer tomatoes, avocado, shredded carrots, cucumber, crumbled cheese, and green onions on top.
07 - Drizzle each bowl with ranch or blue cheese dressing and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Garnish with cilantro or parsley and serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The buffalo sauce clings to every bite of chicken and makes you forget you are eating something balanced and meal preppy.
- It comes together fast enough for a weeknight but feels like you treated yourself to something from a cafe.
02 -
- Do not skip the resting step for the chicken because slicing too early means all those juices end up on your cutting board instead of in your bowl.
- Taste your buffalo sauce before tossing the chicken because different hot sauce brands vary wildly in heat and acidity.
03 -
- Warm the grains slightly before assembling because cold rice under hot chicken creates a textural letdown nobody needs.
- A tiny drizzle of honey in the buffalo sauce is the secret that keeps people going back for a second bowl.