Chicken and Rice Bowl (Printable)

Tender chicken and fluffy rice paired with crisp vegetables for a satisfying wholesome meal.

# 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 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - ¼ 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

# Directions:

01 - In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with olive oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat all pieces and let marinate while preparing remaining components.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rice and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, 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. Fluff with a fork.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, add a splash of oil if needed. Sauté broccoli, bell pepper, and carrot for 4 to 5 minutes until just tender but still crisp.
05 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for 1 to 2 more minutes to heat through completely.
06 - Divide fluffed rice among serving bowls. Top each bowl with the chicken and vegetable mixture.
07 - Top each bowl with sliced green onions, sesame seeds if desired, and fresh cilantro or parsley. Serve immediately.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than most takeout, which means weeknight dinners stop feeling like a chore.
  • The marinade does heavy lifting with just five ingredients, making boring chicken taste genuinely crave-worthy.
  • You can prep everything in advance and cook it all in one pan, which my dishwasher-averse self deeply appreciates.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice—it's the difference between fluffy individual grains and a starchy, mushy pot that disappoints everyone.
  • The chicken is done when it reaches a safe internal temperature, but truthfully, if it's no longer pink inside and the pieces look cooked through, you're good; overcooked chicken turns dry, so don't linger once it's golden.
  • Taste the finished dish before serving because soy sauce varies by brand, and you might want a squeeze of lime or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce to personalize it.
03 -
  • Cut your chicken into consistently sized pieces so everything cooks at the same rate and no one gets a rubbery bite.
  • Don't crowd the skillet when searing the chicken; let it sit for 20 seconds before stirring so it develops that golden crust that actually tastes incredible.
  • If you're cooking for more than four people, double the chicken and vegetables but cook the rice separately since doubling rice in the same pot changes the water ratio.
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