If there’s one recipe I’m forever making for lunch it’s these Peanut Chicken Power Bowls!
These bowls are healthy and packed full of flavor.
It’s so easy to mix and match ingredients so you can make these bowls from pretty much whatever you have in the fridge!
If you ask me what I’m having for lunch most days, it’s some kind of bowl. Veggies, grains, protein and a sauce then I’m pretty much set!
So, these Peanut Chicken Power Bowls have been a staple for me for quite a long time and I think you’ll love them too.
What is in a peanut chicken power bowl?
Vegetables: Peppers, red cabbage, carrots, cucumbers and mint for a finishing touch. But seriously you could use whatever vegetables you have on hand!
Whole Grains: I love to make these bowls with brown rice or quinoa as the base but you could use any favorite grain.
Protein: Chicken! The chicken is a serious protein boost, especially paired with the peanut sauce. Though you could use any favorite meat protein or plant-based.
Peanut Sauce: Just 5 ingredients make up this easy peanut sauce that you mightttt want to use in other recipes too, its THAT good!
Before you make these bowls know that you can use chicken that you may have already cooked, a rotisserie chicken or another protein to make this recipe even quicker.
1 1/2cupwhole grains (measure dry then cook)brown rice, quinoa or another grain
1 1/2lbschicken breastsabout 3 large chicken breasts OR use 2-3 cups cooked rotisserie chicken
1tbspolive oil
1/2 tspgarlic powder
1/4tsp ground pepper
1/2tsp coarse salt
1 1/2cupschopped red cabbage
2carrots, peeled & shredded
1pepper, chopped
1cupchopped cucumber
chopped mint or basil
For the Peanut Sauce
1/2cuppeanut butter
2 1/2tbspsoy sauce
1/2lime, juiced
1 1/2tbspsriracha, chili sauce or another hot sauceTaste the sauce then add another 1/2 tbsp sriracha if you like it spicier.
1tspgrated fresh ginger
1/4-1/3cupwarm water
Instructions
Cook the whole grains according to package instructions and set aside.
To make the peanut sauce, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, sriracha, ginger and 1/4 - 1/3 cup warm water and set aside.
**If you already have cooked chicken use that - about 2-3 cups cooked chicken or another protein. If not, see how to cook chicken below.
To make the chicken, pre-heat the oven to 425F. Stir together 1 tbsp olive oil with 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp pepper and 1/2 tsp coarse salt. Spread over both sides of the chicken breasts, put on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cook for 20-22 minutes or until done (165 internal temperature). Once cooled down, chop or pull chicken for the bowls.
To make the bowls, divide the grains between the bowls and then top with red cabbage, carrots, pepper, cucumber, chicken, peanut sauce and mint.
Notes
If you put the peanut sauce in the fridge, when you remove it the sauce may need a little extra tbsp of warm water just to thin it again to your desired texture.
Layering: Starting with a base is key to a power bowl. So in this case whole grains are followed by vegetables, chicken and sauce.
Texture: Different textures make this bowl extremely enjoyable; that’s where all of the vegetables come in for delicious crunch. So, so feel free to mix and match what you’ve got in the fridge. Some of my other favorite ingredients are radishes, arugula, spinach, pea shoots or sprouts.
Sauce: Gotta have that sauce! The peanut sauce brings all of the flavors together in this power bowl.
Herbs & Nuts: Herbs add that finishing touch to a power bowl. In this bowl we have mint but there’s so many options! Try basil or cilantro for herbs OR add more crunch with chopped peanuts, cashews or almonds.
This is why I LOVE any kind of bowl; they’re so versatile! So, build these Peanut Chicken Power Bowls however you’d like.
Bonus: These are extremely easy to meal-prep for the week ahead. Make the grains, protein and chop the vegetables and store in the fridge for easy to make lunches or even dinner.
You could totally pack these bowls up in mason jars for a picnic too!
As I was making this I didn’t think I was going to like it. I was wrong! My husband and i both love these! I made 4 bowls, we found they kept just fine for a few days. The second time I made them I put the peanut sauce on underneath the chicken and chopped peanuts so that it wouldn’t stick to the lid. Love these!Thank you for a lunch idea that’s a break from routine.
So glad you like the look of the recipe! I’ve updated the nutrition info in the recipe card for you. Just note that the nutrition info can vary based on what grains you use, type of peanut butter etc. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Thank you Kelly! I hope you get a chance to try them; they’re so versatile and I think you’ll family will love them. I’d love to know what you think if you try them!
Delicious!!! Made it twice all ready! So practical, I am going to make the peanut sauce in advance and keep it the fridge, that way I can make it when ever I want. Perfect for summer: simple, healthy and refreshing. Love it!
As I was making this I didn’t think I was going to like it. I was wrong! My husband and i both love these! I made 4 bowls, we found they kept just fine for a few days. The second time I made them I put the peanut sauce on underneath the chicken and chopped peanuts so that it wouldn’t stick to the lid. Love these!Thank you for a lunch idea that’s a break from routine.
Amy, this is SO great to hear! I’m so happy you and your husband love these bowls for a yummy lunch!
These look fantastic! Can I get the nutrition info on this recipe please?
So glad you like the look of the recipe! I’ve updated the nutrition info in the recipe card for you. Just note that the nutrition info can vary based on what grains you use, type of peanut butter etc. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
This is one of my favorite go-to lunches! It is super easy to prep and so tasty! LOVE IT!
Yayyyy! So happy to hear that Alysa!
Oh I’ve never made bowls before but you make it look so easy! My family would totally love this for dinner. Pinned to add to my weekly meal plan!
Thank you Kelly! I hope you get a chance to try them; they’re so versatile and I think you’ll family will love them. I’d love to know what you think if you try them!
This is the perfect idea for my lunch box for work and eating lunch at home (which I am right now). I even have all the ingredients – yay! Pinned!
YAY!! So great to hear Terri, I hope you enjoy them for your work from home lunches too!
love power bowls and meal prepping them! thanks for another option!
You’re so welcome! I hope you enjoy the power bowls!
Such a gorgeous bowl! This is my favorite way to eat in the summer time.
Thank you Kristen! This is my fav way to eat in the summer too; enjoy!
That is a beautiful bowl of food – my kind of meal (fresh, healthy and delicious).
Thank you for the recipe love Vanessa! It’s definitely a family-fav right now too 🙂
Delicious!!! Made it twice all ready! So practical, I am going to make the peanut sauce in advance and keep it the fridge, that way I can make it when ever I want. Perfect for summer: simple, healthy and refreshing. Love it!
Yayyy! Rachel I love to hear this, thank you for the recipe love! I’m so so happy this bowl is so versatile for you (and the peanut sauce too!