Description
These Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowls combine tender, spicy buffalo chicken with seasoned black beans, brown rice, and melted cheddar cheese for a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for quick dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3 (8 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon olive or canola oil
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup canned low sodium black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (Frank’s)
Other Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- 1/2 cup part-skim cheddar cheese or dairy-free cheddar
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Heat oil in a medium pot over medium-low heat. Add diced red onions and cook until they have caramelized slightly, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Beans and Spices: Stir in the rinsed black beans, paprika, cumin, and kosher salt. Combine well and heat through for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Chicken: Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over high heat. Once hot, spray with oil and add the cubed chicken. Cook until browned on all sides and cooked through in the center, about 5 minutes, flipping to ensure even cooking.
- Toss Chicken in Buffalo Sauce: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place in a medium bowl. Immediately toss with the hot buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
- Assemble Bowls: Divide 3/4 cup cooked brown rice into each serving bowl. Top each with 1/4 cup of the black bean mixture and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
- Add Buffalo Chicken and Melt Cheese: Evenly distribute the buffalo chicken over the bowls. If eating immediately, microwave each bowl for about 30 seconds to melt the cheese.
- Garnish and Serve: Top each bowl with chopped scallions for a fresh finish and serve warm.
- Meal Prep and Storage: Refrigerate prepared bowls for up to 4 days. To reheat, microwave for about 3 minutes or until heated through.
Notes
- Use dairy-free cheddar for a lactose-free alternative.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce based on your preferred spice level.
- Brown rice can be substituted with white rice or quinoa for variation.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- For extra crunch, add a handful of chopped celery or cucumber on top before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
