Chicken and Rice Bowl (Printable)

Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and crisp vegetables create a wholesome bowl ready in 40 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Protein

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

→ Marinade

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
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
09 - 2 cups water

→ Vegetables

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

→ Garnish

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

# Directions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine chicken pieces with olive oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly and allow to marinate while preparing remaining components.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed rice and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is fully absorbed. Remove from heat and let rest covered for 5 minutes, then 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. Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate.
04 - In the same skillet, add a splash of oil if needed. Sauté broccoli, bell pepper, and carrot for 4 to 5 minutes over medium-high heat until tender yet still crisp.
05 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet with vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes additional to ensure even heating throughout.
06 - Divide fluffed rice evenly among serving bowls. Top each portion with the chicken and vegetable mixture.
07 - Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The marinade creates genuinely flavorful chicken without requiring hours of patience or a complicated technique.
  • It's endlessly adaptable—use whatever vegetables make sense for your fridge and mood.
  • You'll have a satisfying, protein-packed meal that feels intentional but doesn't demand much technical skill.
02 -
  • Rinsing the rice matters more than you'd think—skipping this step results in gummy, mushy rice that ruins the whole bowl experience.
  • The vegetables need to stay slightly crisp, so don't overcook them just because the chicken needs more time; cook them separately and time it so everything finishes around the same moment.
03 -
  • Cut your chicken into consistently-sized pieces so everything cooks at the same rate and you don't end up with some pieces overcooked while others are still pink inside.
  • Don't stir the rice constantly while it simmers—leave it covered and undisturbed so the grains stay intact and fluffy rather than becoming mushy or broken.
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