BBQ Chicken Bowl (Print)

Tender BBQ chicken served over rice with fresh coleslaw and roasted vegetables for a complete, hearty bowl.

# What You'll 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 black 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 black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F.
02 - Rinse the 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 Advice:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, yet it tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • Each component can be prepped ahead, so assembly becomes the easiest part of dinner.
  • It's naturally flexible—swap proteins, vegetables, or grains without changing the soul of the dish.
02 -
  • Dry your chicken thoroughly before searing—moisture is the enemy of a proper crust, and a crust is what lets the BBQ glaze cling instead of sliding off.
  • Don't overcrowd the roasting sheet with vegetables; they need space to caramelize, not steam themselves into mushiness.
  • The coleslaw tastes better the next day as the vinegar and honey soften the cabbage without making it limp; if you have time, prepare it a few hours ahead.
03 -
  • If your chicken breasts are thick, butterfly them or pound them gently to an even thickness so they cook through at the same rate without drying out the edges.
  • Keep extra BBQ sauce on the table—people inevitably want more glaze, and having it available makes the meal feel abundant and playful.
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