Chicken and Veggie Rice Bowl (with a Secret Sauce!)

Get ready to transform your weeknight dinners with this incredible Chicken and Veggie Rice Bowl recipe. It’s the perfect one-bowl meal, combining tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and fluffy rice, all brought together with a savory sauce you can whip up in just five minutes. This dish isn’t just delicious; it’s healthy, customizable, and on the table in under 40 minutes. Say goodbye to boring dinners and hello to your new favorite meal!

Why This Chicken and Veggie Rice Bowl is a Weeknight Winner

In the rush of daily life, finding a meal that’s both quick to make and genuinely satisfying can be a challenge. That’s where this recipe truly shines. It’s designed for busy people who still crave a wholesome, home-cooked meal.

• Quick & Easy: From start to finish, this entire meal comes together in less than 40 minutes. Perfect for those hectic evenings.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This recipe is a meal-prepper’s dream. Cook once and enjoy delicious, healthy lunches all week long. The components store beautifully.
• Healthy & Balanced: Packed with lean protein, nutrient-rich vegetables, and wholesome carbs, it’s a complete meal that will leave you feeling energized and full.
• Endlessly Customizable: Don’t have broccoli? Use bell peppers. Want to add some spice? A dash of sriracha in the sauce works wonders. This recipe is a template for your creativity. Check out our guide to easy chicken dinners for more ideas.

The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Chicken and Veggie Rice Bowl lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of fresh, readily available ingredients to create a truly spectacular meal.

For the Chicken and Veggies

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Veggies: We love a combination of broccoli florets and sliced carrots for color and crunch, but feel free to use your favorites.
• Rice: Your choice of white, brown, or even quinoa works perfectly as the base.
• Olive Oil: For sautéing the chicken and vegetables.
• Seasoning: A simple mix of garlic powder, salt, and black pepper is all you need.

For the 5-Minute Magic Sauce

• Soy Sauce: The savory, umami-rich base of our sauce. Use a low-sodium version if preferred.
• Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce.
• Rice Vinegar: Provides a subtle tang that brightens up the flavors.
• Sesame Oil: A little goes a long way to add a wonderful nutty aroma.
• Ginger & Garlic: Freshly minced for the best flavor.

How to Make the Perfect Chicken and Veggie Rice Bowl (Step-by-Step)

Making this healthy chicken rice bowl is as easy as 1-2-3. Just follow these simple steps for a flawless result every time.

1. Cook the Rice: Start by cooking your rice according to the package directions. While the rice is simmering, you can prepare the rest of the components.
2. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced ginger, and garlic. Set it aside.
3. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Sauté the Veggies: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Add the broccoli and carrots and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
5. Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce over everything and stir to coat. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has slightly thickened. Serve immediately over a bed of warm rice.

Pro Tips for the Best Rice Bowl

Want to take your bowl to the next level? Here are a few expert tips.

• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to ensure it gets a nice sear instead of steaming.
• Prep Your Ingredients: Have all your veggies chopped and sauce ingredients measured before you start cooking. The stir-frying process moves quickly!
• Velvet the Chicken: For extra tender chicken, toss the pieces with a teaspoon of cornstarch before cooking. This creates a light coating that locks in moisture.

Easy Variations and Customizations

One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Try these variations to make it your own!

• Switch up the Protein: This recipe works great with shrimp, steak, or even tofu. For a plant-based option, try a vegetarian rice bowl with chickpeas.
• Add More Veggies: Bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, edamame, or onions would all be delicious additions.
• Make it Spicy: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
• Garnish: Top your finished bowl with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or chopped cilantro for extra flavor and texture.

Meal Prep and Storage Instructions

This Chicken and Veggie Rice Bowl is a fantastic option for meal prep. For the best results, store the rice, chicken and veggie mixture, and sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. This prevents the rice from getting soggy. The components will stay fresh for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to eat, simply combine the ingredients in a bowl and reheat in the microwave. This is a great strategy for a healthy lunch option throughout the week, much like our popular chicken teriyaki meal prep bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Best Chicken and Veggie Rice Bowl Recipe

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Chicken and Veggie Rice Bowl (with a Secret Sauce!)

This quick and healthy Chicken and Veggie Rice Bowl is the perfect weeknight dinner! Tender chicken, crisp veggies, and a savory 5-minute sauce come together in one delicious, easy-to-make meal that's perfect for meal prep.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Asian

Calories: 485

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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For the Chicken and Veggies

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 2 medium carrots peeled and thinly sliced
• 4 cups cooked rice for serving (white or brown)

For the 5-Minute Magic Sauce

• 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated

Equipment

• 1 Large Skillet or Wok
• 2 Mixing Bowls
• 1 Saucepan

Method

 

1. Cook your rice according to the package directions.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Set aside.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken cubes with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the broccoli florets and sliced carrots. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce over the top and stir everything to combine.
6. Let the mixture simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the chicken and veggies.
7. Serve the chicken and vegetable mixture over bowls of warm cooked rice. Garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcalProtein: 42gFat: 15gFiber: 5g

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best results, store the rice separately from the chicken and veggie mixture.
Variations: Feel free to substitute your favorite vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or zucchini. For a different protein, try shrimp or tofu.

Keyword chicken and rice,healthy dinner,meal prep

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