Description
Savor the irresistible BBQ Chicken Bowls, a culinary symphony blending smoky grilled chicken with zesty corn salsa and creamy ranch. Delightful layers of flavor promise a satisfying meal that will transport you to a backyard barbecue paradise.
Ingredients
Scale
protein:
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup bbq sauce
vegetables:
- 2 cups corn kernels
- 1 large red bell pepper
- 1 cup black beans
- 1/2 cup red onion
base and toppings:
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 lime
seasonings:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper for even cooking.
- Slice chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking and better sauce absorption.
- Season chicken pieces thoroughly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, coating each piece evenly.
- Drizzle olive oil over seasoned chicken and toss to create a light, protective coating.
- Spread chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overlapping to promote proper roasting.
- Bake chicken for 18-22 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F, checking for golden edges and complete cooking.
- While chicken roasts, dice red bell pepper and red onion into small, uniform pieces.
- Remove chicken from oven and immediately drench with bbq sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated.
- In a separate pan, quickly sauté corn kernels and black beans for 2-3 minutes to enhance their flavor.
- Assemble bowls by first layering cooked rice as the base, then adding roasted bbq chicken.
- Top with sautéed corn and black beans, sprinkle diced red bell pepper and red onion.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and squeeze lime juice over the entire bowl for a bright, zesty finish.
- Serve immediately while ingredients are warm and flavors are vibrant.
Notes
- Choose chicken breasts with consistent thickness to guarantee uniform cooking and prevent dry spots.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help spices adhere better and create crispier exterior during roasting.
- Use a meat thermometer for precise doneness and to avoid overcooking chicken.
- Swap BBQ sauce for low-sugar or homemade versions if watching calorie intake or managing dietary restrictions.
- Replace white rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for lower-carb, higher-protein alternatives.
- Customize heat levels by selecting mild or spicy BBQ sauce according to personal preference.
- Add Greek yogurt or avocado as creamy toppings for extra protein and healthy fat content.
- Prepare extra chicken for quick meal prep and use in salads, wraps, or other recipes throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg