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This Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowl delivers big flavor with every bite and has become my go-to when I want something hearty but still fresh. Packed with crisp veggies tender spiced chicken creamy blue cheese and your choice of rice all tied together with tangy buffalo sauce this meal wins for lunch or dinner and is perfect for prepping ahead.
When I first put this together for a busy week I did not expect my family to ask for it again two days later but now it is a meal prep staple in my kitchen
Ingredients
- Chicken breast: thinly sliced for fast even cooking always choose breasts that are plump and pink for best texture
- Paprika: adds color and a gentle smoky warmth
- Chili powder: brings a hint of heat opt for fresh high-quality spices for potency
- Garlic powder: deepens flavor and makes everything more savory
- Salt and pepper: round out the seasoning and lift all the flavors
- Olive oil: helps the chicken brown and carries the spice flavor to every bite
- Spring mix: adds crispness and a nutrient punch look for the freshest greens you can find with no wilting
- Broccoli slaw mix or classic coleslaw mix: for crunch and extra veggies
- Cooked rice: any kind white brown or cauliflower rice for a lighter bowl
- Blue cheese crumbles: creamy and tangy choose a block for best freshness and crumble it yourself
- Buffalo sauce: for that classic spicy kick always shake the bottle and check for minimal additives
- Scallions: sliced for freshness and a pop of color
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep and Season Chicken:
- Place the sliced chicken breast in a bowl add half the olive oil and all the spices then massage with your hands to ensure every piece is coated evenly the oil helps the spices stick and ensures even browning
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat a skillet over medium with the rest of the olive oil once hot add the chicken let it sear undisturbed for three to four minutes per side or until you see a golden crust and it feels firm to the touch aim for an internal temp of one hundred sixty five degrees Fahrenheit to keep it juicy
- Rest the Chicken:
- Move the cooked chicken to a plate let it rest while you get the bowls ready this keeps all the juices inside and avoids dry chicken
- Assemble the Bowls:
- Place a generous bed of spring mix in each bowl scatter over the slaw mix slice up the rested chicken and fan it across the top spoon in your portion of cooked rice and add the blue cheese crumbles
- Finish with Flavors:
- Drizzle buffalo sauce all over the bowl and sprinkle with scallions for extra flavor and color add ranch dressing if you like for extra creaminess
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Blue cheese is always a highlight for me that tangy bite pairs so well against the spicy sauce and cool greens plus it feels like a restaurant dish at home I still remember my youngest insisting on extra blue cheese crumbles and saying it was the best bowl ever
Storage Tips
Once assembled these bowls keep best in airtight containers in the fridge for up to three days for meal prep I keep the greens and chicken separate from the sauce and blue cheese adding those just before eating to keep everything fresh and vibrant
Ingredient Substitutions
Feel free to swap in tofu or cooked chickpeas for a vegetarian version or choose ranch or a dairy-free cheese if blue cheese is not your thing any leafy greens work if you do not have spring mix and quinoa or farro is excellent instead of rice
Serving Suggestions
Serve the bowl as is for a filling meal or pile everything into a whole wheat wrap for a buffalo chicken burrito style lunch top with sliced avocado or halved cherry tomatoes for more color and flavor this dish works well for both lunch boxes and casual dinners
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Cultural Context
Buffalo chicken flavor started in Buffalo New York and is now a classic American combo known for its tangy spice and cooling blue cheese together in this bowl it captures those beloved flavors with a healthy colorful twist showing how classic recipes can be made fresh for today
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use a different type of rice?
Absolutely! Brown rice or cauliflower rice are excellent swaps for white rice and add variety in flavor and nutrition.
- → How spicy is the buffalo sauce?
Buffalo sauce has a moderate spicy kick, but you can adjust the heat by choosing milder or hotter versions to suit your taste.
- → Is blue cheese necessary?
Blue cheese adds tangy richness, but you can substitute with feta or leave it out if you prefer a milder flavor profile.
- → Can I prepare this meal in advance?
Yes, assemble the components ahead of time and store separately. Combine and add sauce just before serving for best texture.
- → What vegetables can I add?
Feel free to mix in sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, or avocado for extra freshness and nutrition in your bowl.