In the cooler months, I use rice bowls the way I use kitchen-sink salads in the summer time; as a way to use up every little odd bit and piece in my fridge. This delicious rice bowl recipe with chicken and kale was born out of having some leftover crispy roasted chickpeas handy. That, plus a craving for this super savory, honey-flecked tahini dressing led to a dinner that’s healthy and delicious!
How To Build a Healthy Rice Bowl
- Rice: This can be leftover rice, or make it fresh. A rice cooker is very handy for this, but you can make rice on the stove top easily, too.
- Protein: In this case, I used shredded chicken. Store-bought rotisserie chicken makes this really easy. You could use roasted tofu if you want to make a vegetarian version.
- Vegetables: I often use leafy greens like kale in rice bowls because they’re so easy (no cooking necessary) but you can mix it up with most any vegetable. Leftover kale salad of all kinds works here, and leftover roasted veggies are also ideal for making rice bowls.
- Crunchy things: Texture is key for a great rice bowl! For this one, crispy roasted chickpeas are the star.
- Creamy things: Honestly, this is usually just avocado. No rice bowl is complete without avocado in my opinion. You could also use crumbled feta (as I do here!) to double down on that cooling, creamy vibe.
- A dressing: This is what makes your rice bowl feel like a coherent meal instead of a bunch of leftovers piled into a bowl together. In this case, I use one of my favorite dressings from a butter lettuce salad I shared a while back.
Tips For Success
- This recipe is great for weekend meal prepping! Store the various elements (the massaged kale, the shredded chicken) separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The dressing keeps for about a week in the fridge. It might separate, though, so just shake it vigorously to make it creamy again.
- DO massage the kale. If your kale is particularly tough, you may want to add a little salt to it along with the oil to really help tenderize it.
- Use a different dressing if you prefer, or a store-bought dressing in a pinch! Creamy, tahini-sesame dressings are easy to find, especially in the refrigerated section, usually near the produce.
More Healthy, Colorful Rice Bowl Recipes
What’s Next?
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