Description
A flavorful and healthy grilled chicken rice bowl packed with fresh veggies and a zesty marinade. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep, this dish features tender grilled chicken served over your choice of rice, topped with crisp lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, avocado, and a drizzle of your favorite sauce for added zing.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Rice Bowl Components
- 2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce or cabbage
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup sliced red onion
- Fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish
- Optional sauce: chipotle mayo, sriracha yogurt, or tahini drizzle
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, garlic powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the marinade and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours to infuse the flavors.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat, making sure it’s properly heated before cooking.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the grill. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and has beautiful grill marks and a slight char.
- Rest and Slice: Transfer the grilled chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain its juices. Then slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces or strips.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice evenly among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with sliced grilled chicken, shredded lettuce or cabbage, diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, and red onion.
- Add Sauce and Garnish: Drizzle with your preferred sauce like chipotle mayo, sriracha yogurt, or tahini. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges before serving.
Notes
- These bowls are perfect for meal prep; store ingredients separately to keep vegetables fresh and assemble right before eating.
- For extra smoky flavor, consider grilling the vegetables alongside the chicken.
- Substitute rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb or different grain option.
- If using tamari, this recipe is gluten-free; verify your sauces to maintain gluten-free compliance.
- Adjust the level of spice by choosing your preferred sauce or skipping it altogether.
