Chicken and Rice Bowl (Printable)

Tender chicken with fluffy rice and crisp vegetables, ready in 40 minutes for a wholesome meal.

# What You Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1 pound), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Marinade

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Grains

08 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
09 - 2 cups water

→ Vegetables

10 - 1 cup broccoli florets
11 - 1 cup bell pepper, sliced
12 - 1 cup carrot, julienned or thinly sliced

→ Garnish

13 - 2 green onions, sliced
14 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
15 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, optional

# How-To:

01 - In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with olive oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss until evenly coated and set aside while preparing remaining components.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice with water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
04 - Add a splash of oil to the same skillet if needed. Sauté broccoli, bell pepper, and carrot for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp, maintaining their vibrant color.
05 - Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes to ensure everything is heated through and flavors meld.
06 - Divide fluffy rice among serving bowls and top with the chicken and vegetable mixture. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and fresh herbs as desired. Serve immediately.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd think possible, making weeknight dinners feel intentional instead of rushed.
  • The marinated chicken stays juicy because you're not overthinking it, and those smoked paprika notes make people ask what's in it.
  • You can swap vegetables based on what's hiding in your crisper drawer without changing a thing about how good it tastes.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice—it seems fussy but it's the difference between separate fluffy grains and a gluey mess that sticks to itself.
  • The vegetables need to stay slightly crisp, so don't cover the pan while they're cooking or they'll steam and turn soft and sad.
  • Cook your chicken pieces to consistent sizes so they finish at the same time and none are dry while others are barely done.
03 -
  • Cut your chicken into pieces that are all roughly the same size so they cook evenly and nothing ends up dry or undercooked.
  • Use a high-quality soy sauce or tamari because it's one of the few ingredients you can actually taste distinctly in this dish.
  • Don't be shy about the garnish—those green onions and sesame seeds are what make people think you spent way more time than you actually did.
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