Chicken and Rice Bowl (Printer-friendly)

Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and vibrant vegetables in a satisfying meal ready in 40 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Marinade

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce, gluten-free preferred
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Grains

08 - 1 cup long-grain white rice or brown rice
09 - 2 cups water

→ Vegetables

10 - 1 cup broccoli florets
11 - 1 cup bell pepper, sliced
12 - 1 cup carrot, julienned or thinly sliced

→ Garnish

13 - 2 green onions, sliced
14 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
15 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, optional

# Steps:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine chicken pieces with olive oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly. Let marinate while preparing remaining ingredients.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rice with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes for white rice or 35 minutes for brown rice until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
03 - While rice cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate and set aside.
04 - Add a splash of oil to the same skillet if needed. Sauté broccoli florets, bell pepper, and carrot for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp, maintaining vibrant color.
05 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet with vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to meld.
06 - Fluff cooked rice with a fork and divide evenly among four serving bowls. Top each portion with chicken and vegetable mixture.
07 - Top each bowl with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro or parsley as desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than most weeknight dinners, yet tastes like you actually planned ahead.
  • The beauty of it is how adaptable it becomes once you understand the bones of the recipe—swap vegetables with whatever's in season or hiding in your crisper drawer.
  • One bowl, endless variations, and you'll actually look forward to leftovers the next day.
02 -
  • The moment you remove the lid from the rice pot while it's cooking, you're letting out steam that's doing actual work—resist the urge to peek and check on it.
  • Cutting the chicken into similar-sized pieces is the difference between some pieces being done and others being dry; take thirty seconds to make them uniform and your whole dish improves.
03 -
  • If you're cooking for a group and timing feels chaotic, cook the rice first and let it rest covered—it stays warm for at least 20 minutes—then focus all your energy on getting the chicken and vegetables done at the same time.
  • Leftover rice makes excellent fried rice the next day; just break up the clumps and reheat it in a hot skillet with a little oil, which actually improves the texture compared to eating it fresh.
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