Spicy Lunch Bowl Vibrant Flavors (Printable View)
A nourishing bowl featuring chicken, colorful vegetables, and a zesty spicy sauce for midday energy.
# Ingredient List:
→ Protein
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust for desired heat
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Grains
08 - 1 cup brown rice (uncooked)
09 - 2 cups water
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Vegetables
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 cup diced cucumber
13 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
14 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
15 - 2 cups baby spinach
16 - 1 avocado, sliced
→ Spicy Sauce
17 - 1/3 cup Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt for dairy-free option
18 - 1 tablespoon Sriracha or other hot sauce
19 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
20 - 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
21 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Garnish (optional)
22 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
23 - Fresh cilantro leaves
24 - Lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Rinse the brown rice thoroughly. Place rice, water, and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine chicken pieces with olive oil, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Toss until evenly coated.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until fully cooked and lightly browned. Remove from heat.
04 - In a small bowl, stir together Greek yogurt, Sriracha, lime juice, chopped cilantro, and salt until smooth.
05 - Divide the cooked rice evenly among four bowls. Arrange baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, shredded carrots, sliced bell pepper, and avocado around the rice. Top with cooked chicken.
06 - Drizzle the spicy sauce over each bowl. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, additional fresh cilantro leaves, and lime wedges as desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It comes together faster than you'd think, but tastes like you spent hours planning it.
- The spicy sauce transforms everything it touches—even simple rice becomes exciting.
- You can make it once and eat it four times without feeling bored by day three.
02 -
- Don't skip rinsing the rice—it removes the starch and prevents it from turning into porridge when the warm sauce hits it.
- If you add the avocado too early, it'll turn brown and sad, so slice it right before serving.
03 -
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry skillet for thirty seconds before using—it brings out a nuttiness that makes people ask what you added.
- Let the cooked chicken cool for just a minute before adding it to the bowl so the avocado doesn't soften from the residual heat.