High-Protein Chicken Bowls are your new go-to for a quick, healthy, and incredibly satisfying meal, packed with lean protein and vibrant flavors to fuel your day. This recipe offers a complete, balanced meal in a bowl, perfect for busy weeknights or prepping lunches ahead.
Key Ingredients for High-Protein Chicken Bowls
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 cup chopped broccoli florets, steamed or roasted
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- For the Avocado Lime Crema:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free alternative)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 2-4 tablespoons water, to reach desired consistency
- Salt to taste
How to Make High-Protein Chicken Bowls
These high-protein chicken bowls are remarkably simple to assemble, delivering a burst of delicious flavors and textures that make them incredibly satisfying. Featuring tender, seasoned chicken, fluffy grains, fresh vegetables, and a zesty avocado crema, they come together in about 35 minutes, proving that healthy eating can be both easy and exciting.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Once cooked, set the chicken aside on a cutting board to rest for 5 minutes, then slice or cube it.
- Prepare the Avocado Lime Crema: While the chicken is cooking or resting, add the ripe avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice, garlic clove, and 2 tablespoons of water to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired drizzling consistency. Season with salt to taste.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked quinoa and brown rice between two large bowls. Top each bowl with the cooked chicken, steamed or roasted broccoli florets, halved cherry tomatoes, and rinsed black beans.
- Garnish and Serve: Drizzle a generous amount of the avocado lime crema over each bowl. Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy your hearty high-protein chicken bowls!
Why You’ll Love This High-Protein Chicken Bowls
You’ll utterly adore these high-protein chicken bowls for their sheer versatility and fantastic flavor profile, easily rivaling any takeout option. The star of the show is the perfectly seasoned, tender chicken, complemented by the vibrant freshness of the vegetables and the creamy, zesty avocado lime crema that ties it all together. Making these at home is also incredibly budget-friendly, saving you money compared to buying similar meals, and offering a delightful, healthy alternative to less nutritious options. Don’t delay in giving these mouthwatering high-protein chicken bowls a try for a truly satisfying dining experience!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Store leftover high-protein chicken bowls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For optimal freshness, it’s best to store the avocado lime crema separately, or add it just before serving to prevent it from browning.
To reheat, you can gently warm the components in a skillet over medium heat, or microwave them for 1-2 minutes, adding the crema after heating. If you plan to freeze components for future meals, it’s recommended to freeze the cooked chicken, grains, and vegetables separately. The avocado lime crema is best made fresh; however, you can freeze pre-portioned amounts in ice cube trays, though the texture might change slightly upon thawing.
Final Thoughts
These high-protein chicken bowls are a fantastic, flavorful, and nutrient-dense meal that’s surprisingly simple to create. We encourage you to whip up this recipe for a delicious and nourishing meal that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized.
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High-Protein Chicken Bowls
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Once cooked, set the chicken aside on a cutting board to rest for 5 minutes, then slice or cube it.
- While the chicken is cooking or resting, add the ripe avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice, garlic clove, and 2 tablespoons of water to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired drizzling consistency. Season with salt to taste.1 ripe avocado, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 clove garlic, 2-4 tablespoons water, to taste salt
- Divide the cooked quinoa and brown rice between two large bowls. Top each bowl with the cooked chicken, steamed or roasted broccoli florets, halved cherry tomatoes, and rinsed black beans.1 cup cooked quinoa, 1 cup cooked brown rice, 1 cup chopped broccoli florets, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup black beans
- Drizzle a generous amount of the avocado lime crema over each bowl. Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy your hearty high-protein chicken bowls!1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro