A chicken rice bowl with a delicious chopped salad is a flavorful and satisfying meal that combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a refreshing medley of chopped vegetables. Here’s a recipe to create this delightful dish:
Ingredients for Chicken Rice Bowl:
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Rice:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth or water
For the Chopped Salad:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
- 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Hummus
- Feta cheese
- Olives
- Sliced avocado
- Hot sauce or your favorite dressing
Instructions:
- Cook the Chicken:
- Mix olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, paprika, coriander, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Add the chicken to the bowl and toss it in the marinade, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or longer for more flavor).
- Heat a skillet or grill over medium-high heat and cook the marinated chicken until it’s cooked through and slightly charred outside. This usually takes about 6-8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Once cooked, set the chicken aside to rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Prepare the Rice:
- Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water until the water runs clear.
- In a saucepan, bring the chicken broth or water to a boil.
- Add the rinsed rice to the boiling liquid, stir, and reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the rice simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is cooked. Fluff the rice with a fork.
- Make the Chopped Salad:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, and chopped fresh parsley or cilantro.
- Drizzle the lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil over the salad ingredients.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and toss everything together until well combined.
- Assemble the Chicken Rice Bowls:
- Divide the cooked rice among serving bowls or plates.
- Top the rice with sliced chicken and a generous helping of chopped salad.
- Add any optional toppings, such as hummus, feta cheese, olives, sliced avocado, or hot sauce.
- Serve:
- Serve the chicken rice bowls immediately while the chicken and rice are still warm, and the salad is fresh and crisp.
Enjoy your delicious and wholesome chicken rice bowl with a refreshing chopped salad, perfect for a nourishing lunch or dinner! Feel free to customize the toppings and add any other ingredients you love to make it your unique creation.
