Buffalo Chicken Grain Bowl (Print Version)
Spicy buffalo chicken over wholesome grains with fresh veggies and creamy dressing for a balanced meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Buffalo Sauce
05 - 1/3 cup hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot)
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 tablespoon 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 ripe 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 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Rinse the grains under cold water. Combine with water or broth in a saucepan and cook according to package directions until tender. Fluff with a fork, cover, and set aside.
02 - Preheat the oven to 400°F or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat until smoking slightly.
03 - Brush the chicken breasts evenly with olive oil, then season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Grill or bake for 6 to 7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
04 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the hot sauce, melted butter, and honey until smooth and emulsified. Toss the sliced chicken in the sauce, coating each piece thoroughly.
05 - Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the avocado, shred the carrots, thinly slice the cucumber, and chop the green onions. Arrange each component separately for easy assembly.
06 - Divide the cooked grains evenly among four bowls. Layer each with buffalo chicken, prepared vegetables, and crumbled cheese. Scatter green onions over the 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 Advice:
01 -
- It gives you that buffalo wing satisfaction without the mess of deep frying or the guilt of ordering takeout at 10 pm.
- Everything cooks in under 40 minutes and the leftovers actually taste better the next day when the sauce soaks into the grains.
02 -
- Do not skip the resting step for the chicken because sliced immediately it will lose all its moisture and taste rubbery no matter how perfectly you cooked it.
- Taste your hot sauce before making the buffalo mixture because brands vary wildly in heat and vinegar intensity and you want to adjust the butter and honey accordingly.
03 -
- Cook extra grains and chicken because these bowls disappear fast and having components ready in the fridge means you are one warm-up away from a great lunch.
- A pinch of smoked paprika added to the buffalo sauce gives it a depth that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.