Description
These Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowls combine tender, spicy buffalo chicken with flavorful black beans, brown rice, and melted cheddar cheese for a hearty and satisfying meal. Perfect for quick dinners or meal prepping, this dish balances bold flavors with wholesome ingredients in a simple one-bowl presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Sauce
- 3 (8 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon olive or canola oil
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1 cup canned low sodium black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
Carbohydrates and Dairy
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- 1/2 cup part-skim cheddar cheese or dairy-free cheddar alternative
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions: Heat the olive or canola oil in a medium pot over medium-low heat. Add the diced red onion and cook for about 5 minutes until the onions have caramelized slightly, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.
- Cook the beans with spices: Add the rinsed black beans, paprika, cumin, and kosher salt to the pot with the onions. Stir to combine and continue cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until heated through and aromatic.
- Cook the chicken: Preheat a large skillet over high heat. Spray it lightly with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Add the diced chicken breasts and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and cooked through in the center.
- Toss chicken in buffalo sauce: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place it in a medium bowl. Immediately toss the hot chicken with the buffalo sauce, coating each piece evenly.
- Assemble the bowls: Divide 3/4 cup of cooked brown rice into each serving bowl. Top the rice with 1/4 cup of the seasoned black beans and onions, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheddar cheese evenly. Distribute the buffalo chicken over each bowl.
- Melt the cheese (optional): If eating immediately, microwave the assembled bowls for about 30 seconds to melt the cheese slightly. Then, garnish with chopped scallions for freshness and added flavor.
- Meal prep instructions: These bowls can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. To reheat, microwave for about 3 minutes or until heated through before serving.
Notes
- Use dairy-free cheddar cheese for a lactose-free or vegan alternative.
- Adjust buffalo sauce amount to control the spice level.
- For extra crispiness, finish cooking chicken under a broiler for a minute after tossing with sauce.
- Brown rice can be substituted with white rice or quinoa based on preferences.
- These bowls reheat well, making them ideal for meal prep lunches or dinners.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
