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Buffalo Chicken Bowls

Tender seasoned chicken coated in buffalo sauce served over rice with fresh vegetables for a customizable dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ cup buffalo sauce
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter optional, for extra creaminess
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice, white rice, or quinoa
  • 1 cup corn kernels frozen or fresh
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce or mixed greens
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • ¼ cup sliced red onions optional
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped, optional
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese optional
  • ¼ cup ranch or blue cheese dressing optional
  • extra buffalo sauce for drizzling, optional
  • lime juice optional

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • cutting board
  • Meat Thermometer
  • sharp knife

Method
 

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a small amount of olive oil.
  2. Add chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes on the first side without moving. Flip and cook another 6-8 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
  3. Reduce heat to low and add butter to the same skillet, scraping up browned bits. Once melted, add buffalo sauce and stir to combine.
  4. Slice the rested chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Add chicken to the buffalo sauce mixture and toss until well coated.
  5. While chicken cooks, prepare rice or quinoa according to package instructions. Slice avocado, halve cherry tomatoes, and prepare other vegetables.
  6. To assemble bowls, add ½ cup cooked grain to each bowl. Top with shredded lettuce, corn, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and red onions.
  7. Add buffalo chicken on top and drizzle with any remaining sauce from the skillet. Finish with optional toppings like feta cheese, dressing, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Notes

Storage: Keep chicken, grain, and vegetables separate in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Reheat chicken and grain at 50% power for 1-2 minutes. Substitutions: Use chicken thighs instead of breasts, cauliflower rice for low-carb, or rotisserie chicken for a shortcut. Make-Ahead: Cook chicken and grain up to 4 days ahead. Prep vegetables the night before but slice avocado just before serving. Variations: Try with shrimp, ground turkey, or baked tofu. Adjust spice level by mixing buffalo sauce with ranch or adding cayenne pepper.