Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowls with Lettuce, Tomatoes, and Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Bowls are a flavorful and hearty meal featuring tender boneless chicken breast pieces coated in a spicy buffalo sauce, served over a bed of rice and topped with fresh lettuce, cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, and a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing. This easy skillet recipe combines the classic tangy heat of buffalo sauce with fresh vegetables to create a balanced, satisfying dish perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Buffalo Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Bowls
- 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
- Optional: sliced avocado, for topping
Instructions
- Prepare Buffalo Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the hot sauce and melted butter. Stir well until fully mixed and set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Coat Chicken with Sauce: Lower heat to medium-low and pour the prepared buffalo sauce over the cooked chicken. Stir thoroughly to coat each piece evenly. Let it simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the spicy flavors.
- Assemble Bowls: Start assembling the bowls by placing a base layer of cooked rice in each serving bowl.
- Add Buffalo Chicken: Evenly distribute the buffalo chicken pieces over the rice in each bowl.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Top each bowl with shredded lettuce and halved cherry tomatoes for freshness and crunch.
- Add Cheese and Dressing: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top and drizzle with ranch or blue cheese dressing according to preference for added creaminess and flavor contrast.
- Garnish: Garnish the bowls with thinly sliced green onions for a mild sharpness and, if desired, add slices of avocado for extra creaminess and richness.
- Serve: Serve the buffalo chicken bowls immediately while hot. Enjoy the delicious balance of spicy, creamy, and fresh elements in every bite.
Notes
- Use your preferred type of rice, either white or brown, to customize the texture and nutritional profile.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce to control the spiciness level according to your taste.
- For a dairy-free option, omit the butter in the buffalo sauce and use a vegan butter substitute.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat on the stove or microwave before serving.
- Add sliced avocado last to prevent browning and preserve freshness.
Keywords: Buffalo chicken, chicken bowls, spicy chicken recipe, easy dinner, skillet chicken, buffalo sauce, rice bowl, healthy dinner, quick meal
