Peanut Chicken Power Bowl (Printable View)

Protein-packed bowl with baked chicken, grains, crisp vegetables, and creamy peanut sauce for a satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
07 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ Grains

08 - 1 cup brown rice or quinoa, uncooked
09 - 2 cups water or low-sodium broth

→ Vegetables

10 - 1 large carrot, julienned or grated
11 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
13 - 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
14 - 2 spring onions, sliced
15 - 2 cups baby spinach or mixed greens

→ Peanut Sauce

16 - 0.33 cup creamy peanut butter
17 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
18 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice
19 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
20 - 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili sauce, optional
21 - 2 to 3 tablespoons warm water

→ Garnish

22 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
23 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
24 - Lime wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a bowl, toss chicken with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Arrange chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until fully cooked with internal temperature of 165°F. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
04 - Rinse rice or quinoa, place in a saucepan with water or broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until tender. Brown rice requires approximately 25 minutes, quinoa approximately 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
05 - Wash and prepare all vegetables according to specifications. Arrange toppings in separate containers for assembly.
06 - Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar or lime juice, honey, sriracha if using, and warm water until reaching a pourable consistency.
07 - Divide cooked grains evenly among four bowls. Top each with sliced chicken, fresh vegetables, and greens. Drizzle generously with peanut sauce.
08 - Garnish each bowl with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro or parsley, and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and honestly feels like you've done something impressive, even though you're mostly just assembling smart components.
  • The peanut sauce is creamy, tangy, and a little spicy if you want it—it turns ordinary chicken and rice into something craveable.
  • You can prep everything in advance and assemble fresh when you're hungry, making it perfect for meal prep without the staleness factor.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting period after baking—those 5 minutes are when the chicken actually becomes tender instead of stringy, and it makes a noticeable difference.
  • The peanut sauce gets thicker as it cools, so make it looser than you think you need; you can always add more water when you serve if something sat in the fridge.
03 -
  • Cook your grains in broth instead of water if you have it—that subtle flavor boost carries through the whole bowl and makes everything taste more developed.
  • Slice your chicken while it's still warm; it's easier to cut and stays more tender than when it cools completely.
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