why make this recipe
This bowl is quick, tasty, and filling. It mixes spicy buffalo chicken with plain rice and fresh veggies. You get protein, carbs, and fresh crunch in one dish. It works well for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
introduction
This recipe gives you hot buffalo flavor without a lot of work. You cook bite-sized chicken, toss it in a simple buffalo sauce, and put it over rice. If you like similar bowls, try a popular bang bang chicken bowl recipe for another spicy option.
how to make Buffalo Chicken Bowls
You cook the chicken, make the sauce, and build the bowls. First brown chicken in a skillet. Then pour the buffalo sauce over the chicken and let it simmer a few minutes. Serve the chicken over rice and add fresh toppings. For another baked chicken idea, see this baked chicken cordon bleu idea.
Ingredients :
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
- Optional: sliced avocado, for topping
Directions :
- Begin by preparing the buffalo sauce. In a small bowl, combine the hot sauce and melted butter. Mix well and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Reduce the heat to low and pour the buffalo sauce over the cooked chicken. Stir to coat the chicken evenly. Allow it to simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, absorbing the sauce’s flavors.
- Prepare the serving bowls by adding a base layer of cooked rice.
- Divide the buffalo chicken evenly among the bowls, placing it over the rice.
- Top each bowl with shredded lettuce and halved cherry tomatoes.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
- Garnish with thinly sliced green onions. If desired, add slices of avocado for extra creaminess.
- Serve immediately while the chicken is hot, and enjoy the flavorful combination.
how to serve Buffalo Chicken Bowls
Serve the bowls hot so the sauce stays saucy. Offer extra dressing and hot sauce on the side. Add avocado slices for creaminess. Use lettuce as a cool contrast to the spicy chicken.
how to store Buffalo Chicken Bowls
Cool the chicken and rice before you store them. Put chicken and rice in airtight containers. Keep toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado separate in another container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat chicken and rice in a skillet or microwave, then add fresh toppings.
tips to make Buffalo Chicken Bowls
- Cut the chicken into even pieces so it cooks the same.
- Use a meat thermometer if you want: chicken is done at 165°F (74°C).
- Melt the butter first so it mixes with the hot sauce smoothly.
- If you like less heat, use less hot sauce or add more butter.
- For different spicy ideas, read this ultimate bang bang chicken bowl guide for more flavor tips.
variation (if any)
- Make it with shredded rotisserie chicken instead of bite-sized pieces.
- Swap rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lighter bowl.
- Try ground turkey for a different protein; see a related idea here: bang bang ground turkey rice bowls idea.
- Use blue cheese instead of ranch for a stronger flavor.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Yes. Thaw it first, then pat it dry and cook as the recipe says.
Q: Is there a dairy-free option?
A: Yes. Use a dairy-free butter or oil and skip the cheddar and ranch. Avocado adds creaminess.
Q: Can I make this spicy level mild?
A: Yes. Use less hot sauce and more butter, or choose a mild hot sauce.
Q: How long does the sauce last?
A: Keep sauce mixed in the fridge up to 3 days in a covered container. Reheat gently before using.
Q: Can I meal prep these bowls?
A: Yes. Store chicken and rice in one container and fresh toppings in another. Add toppings after reheating.
Conclusion
This buffalo chicken bowl is simple to make and full of flavor. For a crisp take on buffalo bowls, you can compare with a Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bowls recipe at Jar Of Lemons. If you want a macro-friendly or gluten-free version, see a helpful guide for Buffalo Chicken and Rice Bowls | Macro-Friendly & Gluten Free.
Buffalo Chicken Bowls
Ingredients
For the Buffalo Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces Cut into even pieces for uniform cooking.
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot) Adjust to taste for spiciness.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted Melted for easy mixing with hot sauce.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil For cooking the chicken.
- to taste Salt and pepper For seasoning chicken.
For Serving
- 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown) Base layer for the bowl.
- 1 cup shredded lettuce Fresh topping for crunch.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved Adds freshness.
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Optional: Can substitute with blue cheese.
- 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing Drizzle on top.
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions For garnish.
- to taste sliced avocado Optional: For extra creaminess.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a small bowl, combine the hot sauce and melted butter. Mix well and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning them with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
Cooking
- Reduce the heat to low and pour the buffalo sauce over the cooked chicken.
- Stir to coat the chicken evenly and allow it to simmer gently for 3-5 minutes.
Assembly
- Prepare serving bowls by adding a base layer of cooked rice.
- Divide the buffalo chicken evenly among the bowls, placing it over the rice.
- Top each bowl with shredded lettuce and halved cherry tomatoes.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
- Garnish with thinly sliced green onions and optional avocado slices for extra creaminess.
- Serve immediately while the chicken is hot.
