BBQ Chicken Rice Bowls Recipe
You guys know how much I love healthy protein bowls! The seasoned chicken and veggies are cooked in a skillet, then covered in BBQ sauce and transferred to the oven all in one pan. The chicken is quickly baked and broiled for that perfect crispy, caramelized BBQ sauce goodness. Every bite is so good!
If you’ve been searching for a creative new healthy dinner recipe and you’re tired of the same ‘ol chicken and veggies routine, then you will LOVE these BBQ Chicken Rice Bowls!
SAVE THIS RECIPE: Hot Honey Chicken Bowls
Ingredients/Substitutions
BBQ Seasoning -This homemade blend includes smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, dried minced onion, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. It adds a smoky, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor to the chicken! You can also use about 3 Tablespoons of store-bought BBQ seasoning to save time.
BBQ Sauce – Made from tomato sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, dried minced onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This sauce is tangy, sweet, and full of rich barbecue flavor. You can use a pre-made BBQ sauce if you prefer, but this homemade version is SO worth it (and you can always make a big batch and save some for later)!
Chicken Breasts – Thinly sliced. Chicken thighs are a great option, too!
Avocado Oil – One of my favorite healthy oils for cooking.
Shredded Red Cabbage & Carrots – These healthy veggies add a wonderful crunch and vibrant color to the bowls. You can substitute them with any other fresh veggies you have on hand, like bell peppers or spinach!
Diced Cucumber – Refreshing and crisp! I like to slice them, but cubed works great too. Pickled veggies are another wonderful alternative!
Avocado – Adds creaminess and healthy fats. A dollop of guacamole would be great, too!
Cooked Rice – Make your own cooked rice (I love batch cooking this earlier in the week), or use healthy microwave rice if you’re short on time. Cauliflower rice is a great option for a lower-carb version of these bowls!
How to Make Barbecue Chicken Bowls
These Barbecue Chicken Bowls come together in just 30 minutes and are so easy to make! Here’s a quick overview of how to make BBQ Chicken Rice Bowls in one skillet:
1. Season & Cook Chicken
Season the chicken with BBQ seasoning and cook in a large cast iron skillet.
2. Cook Veggies
Set the chicken aside and add the chopped cabbage and carrots to the skillet. Saute just until combined, then add the chicken on top.
3. Add BBQ Sauce
Smother the chicken in BBQ sauce. Add as much as you want!
4. Bake & Broil
Place the entire skillet in the oven and bake for 10 minutes, then broil for another 5 minutes.
5. Assemble Bowls
Remove the skillet from the oven, let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice it into bite-sized pieces. Assemble your bowls with a base of rice, topped with cabbage and carrots, diced chicken, fresh cucumbers, avocado slices, and a drizzle of the remaining BBQ sauce. Enjoy!
Tips for the BEST Barbecue Chicken Recipe
- Season Generously: Don’t be shy with the seasoning. It’s what gives the chicken that amazing BBQ flavor!
- Use a Cast Iron Skillet: It helps get a nice sear on the chicken and goes seamlessly from stovetop to oven. A ceramic-coated skillet works as well, but cast iron just gives it so much flavor!
- Don’t Skip the Broil: Those last 5 minutes under the broiler add a perfect caramelized finish to the chicken. You can even broil a little longer than this if you want a crispier texture.
- Let the Chicken Rest: Allowing the chicken to rest before slicing helps keep it juicy and tender.
- Make These Bowls Your Own: Switch out the rice for any grain, like quinoa, or add any veggies you like.
How to Store Leftovers
Place any leftovers in an airtight container after they’ve cooled. Keep these BBQ Chicken Bowls in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days! When ready to enjoy, simply reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
How to Meal Prep
Here’s how to meal-prep barbecue chicken protein bowls:
- Cook the BBQ chicken and veggies according to the recipe card instructions below.
- Meanwhile, cook a big batch of rice.
- Fill each meal prep container with rice, BBQ chicken, veggies, and a drizzle of extra sauce.
- When ready to enjoy, warm in the microwave and add fresh cucumber slices and avocado!
More Healthy Protein Bowls You’ll Love
- Greek Chicken Rice Bowls
- Chicken Al Pastor Bowls
- Honey Sesame Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
- Korean Beef Bowls
- Hot Honey Salmon Bowls
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BBQ Chicken Rice Bowls
Equipment
Ingredients
BBQ Seasoning (or 3 Tablespoons)
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
BBQ Sauce (or 1 cup)
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Barbecue Chicken Bowls
- 1 pound chicken breasts (sliced thinly)
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil
- 4 cups shredded red cabbage
- 2 cups shredded carrots (or 1 8-ounce bag)
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 avocado
- 2 cups cooked rice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Combine the seasoning ingredients into a small bowl and mix well.
- Sprinkle the chicken breasts with the seasoning on both sides.
- In a medium saucepan, combine sauce ingredients, whisk well, and simmer over low heat while cooking the chicken in the skillet.
- In a large cast iron skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken breasts for 4 minutes per side and set to the side.
- Remove the skillet from the heat, add the cabbage and carrots to the skillet, and toss.
- Place the chicken breasts on top of the cabbage and carrots, and coat the top of each breast with some of the sauce.
- Put the skillet in the oven and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, broil the chicken for 5 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the oven, remove the chicken breasts to a cutting board, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the bowls by putting rice, cabbage, and carrots, diced chicken, and top with fresh cucumbers, sliced avocado, and a drizzle of the remaining BBQ sauce.
Video
Notes
- Cook the BBQ chicken and veggies according to the recipe card instructions.
- Meanwhile, cook a big batch of rice.
- Fill each meal prep container with rice, BBQ chicken, veggies, and a drizzle of extra sauce.
- When ready to enjoy, warm in the microwave and add fresh cucumber slices and avocado!
- You can also use about 3 Tablespoons of store-bought BBQ seasoning to save time.
- Feel free to use about 1 cup (or more) of this organic BBQ sauce instead of making your own!
- Keep these BBQ Chicken Bowls in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days!
Natalia says:
This was so good. I’ve made two of your recipes so far (the other was the enchilada skillet dish) and both were a hit. Thanks so much for these yummy recipes which are healthy and don’t take long!
Jar Of Lemons replied:
I love to hear this, Natalie! Thanks so much for the review.
Ilysha says:
So yummy and easy to make! Immediately adding to our meal rotation’s.
JOL Team replied:
So glad you loved this! Thank you sharing that with me, it made my day!
ollie price says:
this dish is amazing i was scrolling for a quick lunch and came across this,very easy to make i am a fifteen year old and i found it easy and very tasty.highly recommend
Jar Of Lemons replied:
Thanks, Ollie. I’m glad you enjoyed this and found it easy to make!
Genevive says:
I had to come back to say how amazing this was as dinner. Firstly the bbq sauce is amazing I had no idea homemade was that much better. I was really confused by the cabbage and carrots but they just blended so well with the flavors. Ugh I might make this again next week!
Jar Of Lemons replied:
Thanks so much, Genevive!
Patricia says:
I love this recipe. I love all of the things that make up a healthy dinner. Thank you. A lot of your recipes are in my weekly menu ️lineup this week. I love your recipes and how healthy they are. ♥️ Can’t wait to try the next ones!!
Jar Of Lemons replied:
Thanks so much for the feedback, Patricia! So glad you enjoy the recipes. 🙂
Swathi says:
BBQ chicken rice bowl is very tasty. I have tried. My BBq fan approved it. I think this is going to in my menu for long time.
Tisha says:
This Recipe was an absolutely perfect change up in our routine. So easy to follow as well!
Amy says:
Great dish and I especially loved the homemade BBQ sauce as I prefer to not to buy store bought dressings and sauces if I can avoid it. Absolutely delicious!
Krystle says:
I love the dry rub and the BBQ sauce combo. I meal prep this at least once a month and it always tastes amazing.
Audrey says:
This makes for a wonderful lunch.
Jessica Formicola says:
Power bowls have been my jam lately! These bbq chicken power bowls are totally amazing and I can’t wait to make them!
Sarah Schlichter says:
Power bowls are my favorite! So many combinations and so satisfying, this sounds delicious!