BBQ Chicken Bowl (Printer-Friendly)

Tender BBQ chicken atop rice with fresh coleslaw and colorful roasted veggies for a complete, satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lb)
02 - 1 cup BBQ sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Rice

06 - 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
07 - 3 cups water
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Coleslaw

09 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
10 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
11 - 1 cup grated carrot
12 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
13 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon honey
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Roasted Vegetables

16 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
17 - 1 zucchini, sliced
18 - 1 red onion, cut into wedges
19 - 1 cup broccoli florets
20 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
21 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
22 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water. Combine rice, water, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
03 - On a baking sheet, toss bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, and broccoli with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer and roast for 20-25 minutes, turning once, until golden and tender.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Add green and red cabbage and carrot; toss to coat. Chill until serving.
05 - Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Brush generously with BBQ sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes more per side, allowing the sauce to caramelize. Remove from heat and slice.
06 - Divide rice among four bowls. Top with sliced BBQ chicken, a portion of roasted vegetables, and a scoop of coleslaw. Drizzle with extra BBQ sauce if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything finishes at almost the same time, which means you're actually eating together instead of in shifts.
  • The coleslaw adds this bright, tangy crunch that keeps the whole bowl from feeling heavy, even with the BBQ sauce.
  • It's flexible enough to swap proteins or grains depending on what you have, but impressive enough to serve to people you want to impress.
02 -
  • If your chicken finishes cooking before the vegetables, keep it on a warm plate tented with foil rather than letting it sit in the pan, or it'll dry out while you wait.
  • The coleslaw is better when made at least 15 minutes ahead; the acid softens the cabbage and helps everything taste intentional rather than raw.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness—165°F ensures the chicken is safe and juicy, and you won't second-guess yourself or overcook it.
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, you can make all the components ahead and assemble bowls to order, which keeps everything at its best temperature instead of sitting under foil.
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