BBQ Chicken Bowl (Printable)

Tender BBQ chicken over rice with fresh coleslaw and roasted veggies

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lbs)
02 - 1 cup BBQ sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Rice

06 - 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
07 - 3 cups water
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Coleslaw

09 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
10 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
11 - 1 cup grated carrot
12 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
13 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon honey
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Roasted Vegetables

16 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
17 - 1 zucchini, sliced
18 - 1 red onion, cut into wedges
19 - 1 cup broccoli florets
20 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
21 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
22 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water. In a saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
03 - On a baking sheet, toss bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, and broccoli with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer and roast for 20-25 minutes, turning once, until golden and tender.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Add green and red cabbage and carrot; toss to coat. Chill until serving.
05 - Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Brush generously with BBQ sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes more per side, allowing the sauce to caramelize. Remove from heat and slice.
06 - Divide rice among four bowls. Top with sliced BBQ chicken, a portion of roasted vegetables, and a scoop of coleslaw. Drizzle with extra BBQ sauce if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and feels way more composed than a weeknight dinner has any right to be.
  • Everyone at the table gets to customize their bowl, so there's zero fighting over portions or preferences.
  • The contrast between crispy roasted veggies, creamy coleslaw, and tender glazed chicken makes each bite feel like it matters.
02 -
  • Don't skip patting the chicken dry—moisture is the enemy of a good sear, and that golden crust is what makes everything taste intentional.
  • The coleslaw tastes noticeably better after an hour in the fridge because the cabbage softens slightly and all the flavors marry together beautifully.
03 -
  • Don't crowd the pan when you sear the chicken; give it space to develop that golden crust, and it'll finish cooking through perfectly.
  • A squeeze of fresh lime juice over the finished bowl brightens everything up and cuts through the richness of the sauce in the most unexpected way.
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