Spicy Lunch Bowl Vibrant Flavors (Printable Version)
A nourishing bowl featuring chicken, fresh vegetables, and a zesty spicy sauce for midday energy.
# What You'll Need:
→ Protein
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Grains
08 - 1 cup brown rice, uncooked
09 - 2 cups water
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Vegetables
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 cup diced cucumber
13 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
14 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
15 - 2 cups baby spinach
16 - 1 avocado, sliced
→ Spicy Sauce
17 - 1/3 cup Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt for dairy-free option
18 - 1 tablespoon Sriracha or preferred hot sauce
19 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
20 - 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
21 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Garnish (optional)
22 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
23 - Fresh cilantro leaves
24 - Lime wedges
# Directions:
01 - Rinse the brown rice and combine with water and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until fully cooked and lightly browned. Remove from heat.
04 - Combine Greek yogurt, Sriracha, lime juice, chopped cilantro, and salt in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and well blended.
05 - Distribute the cooked rice evenly among four bowls. Arrange baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, shredded carrots, red bell pepper, and avocado slices around the rice. Top each bowl with cooked chicken.
06 - Drizzle the spicy sauce over each bowl. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, extra cilantro leaves, and lime wedges as desired.
07 - Serve immediately while fresh and flavorful.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The spicy sauce is bright and addictive without being overwhelming—even people who usually skip hot sauce ask for extra.
- Everything comes together in under 45 minutes, so you can actually make this on a weekday without stress.
- It's naturally high in protein and packed with vegetables, so you feel genuinely good about what you're eating.
02 -
- If you're making these ahead for meal prep, keep the sauce separate and add it just before eating, otherwise everything gets soggy and sad by lunchtime.
- The avocado oxidizes and turns gray if you slice it too early—slice it while you're assembling the bowl, not twenty minutes before.
- Taste your sauce before you finish assembling; that's your chance to make it hotter, tangier, or creamier without risking the whole bowl.
03 -
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for just a minute or two before adding them—that nutty flavor is what makes people reach for a second bowl.
- If your yogurt-based sauce seems too thick, thin it with a splash of water or extra lime juice rather than adding more yogurt, which dilutes the flavor.