Begin with quality rice and tender morsels of chicken, and suddenly you’ll have ideas galore for how to make mealtime memorable! Endlessly adaptable, delicious and budget friendly, chicken rice bowl recipes are also easy to make, making them a popular option for dinner, lunch or meal prep.
A dish you can make from scratch or from leftovers, chicken rice bowls can be spicy and savory, saucy or fresh. Neutral to start, they can take inspiration from Asia and India, Mexico, the Mediterranean and any other corner of the globe. Best of all? Chicken rice bowls are a complete meal in one that you can easily customize to suit every diner (picky, or otherwise) at your table.
Stumped by how to infuse a little excitement into your weekly dining routine? Give dining in the same cachet as dining out with tempting chicken and rice bowl recipes designed to delight!
Best Types of Rice for Chicken Bowls
With only two main ingredients—chicken and rice— both are key to making delicious chicken and rice bowls! Thankfully, that’s easier to achieve than you may think. Though you can cook chicken from scratch, this is also a great opportunity for using leftover chicken. As for the rice? Begin by deciding which type of rice best suits your dish. By choosing the right type of rice for your recipe, you’re guaranteed terrific results, each and every time.
- A perennial favorite, white rice is a fluffy comfort food that can improve any difficult day. Easier than ever to make, thanks to Success® Rice’s no measure, no mess boil-in-bag method, it’s a terrific, neutral choice for countless types of chicken and rice bowls.
- An aromatic, long-grain variety of rice, jasmine is prized for its fluffy, slightly chewy texture and delicate sweetness. Native to South-East Asia, jasmine rice pairs well with dishes hailing from Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and more.
- For days when you’re craving a nutty, hearty, fiber-filled bowl, Success® boil-in-bag brown rice is the whole-grain option that satisfies. Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s a perfect ingredient to use in boldly spiced, saucy chicken and rice bowls.
- Fluffy and light, basmati rice can elevate any style of dish, thanks to its subtly flavored long grains. A no-brainer with Indian-inspired bowls, this incredibly versatile grain is a welcome addition to a wealth of globally-inspired recipes.
Flavor-Packed Chicken Rice Bowl Recipes to Try
When it comes to chicken rice bowls, anything goes! Naturally packed with lean protein, this satisfying dish can also handle plenty of vegetables, zippy sauces and spicy, crunchy add-ins. Dishes you’ll want to turn to for dinner, meal prep or a midday pick-me-up, these chicken rice bowls never disappoint!
Honey Chipotle Chicken Rice Bowl
With sweet and spicy chicken, roasted vegetables and creamy avocado, this recipe is anything but boring! Switch up the vegetables and, if need be, tone down the spice to please finicky eaters.
Mango Chicken and Rice
Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice and ready-made mango chutney make quick work of getting food on the table in this zesty chicken rice bowl. Double the recipe for a week’s worth of lively lunches.
Mediterranean Chicken and Rice Pita Bowl Recipe
Want a surefire way to get kids’ attention at mealtime? Serve their chicken and rice in a crispy pita bread bowl! A recipe that combines an edible dish with za’atar-kissed chicken, colorful vegetables and creamy tahini sauce, this one is a hit with diners of every age.
BBQ Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe
A dish that proves the versatility of basmati rice, this one sees the popular long-grain variety paired with smoky chicken, crunchy slaw and a zingy drizzle of barbecue sauce. No time to fire up the grill? This satisfying recipe is just as successful when made with leftover or sautéed chicken.
Southwest Chicken and Rice Bowl Recipe
When you don’t have the luxury of time, this complete chicken and rice bowl satisfies—in minutes! To speed up the process even more, lean on leftover chicken instead of cooking chicken from scratch. For extra oomph, you can also add more toppings (think hot sauce, sour cream and pickled jalapeños) to these bowls.
Copycat Crispy Sweetgreen Rice Bowl
Delicious and hearty (without the hefty price tag!) this simple rice bowl recipe relies on blackened chicken, cashew butter dressing, brown rice and loads of crunchy, colorful fresh vegetables for its wealth of textures and flavors. Switch up the recipe with any tasty add-ins, herbs and vegetables you want to use up.
Express Orange Chicken and White Rice
Glossy, orange-scented chicken, tender broccoli and fluffy white rice are a simple yet wholly satisfying trio in this weeknight-friendly dish. Skip the takeout—without an ounce of regret!—and make this crowd-pleaser tonight.
Air-Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Tenders with Rice
Chicken rice bowl recipes don’t get much better than this family-friendly meal! Cook up some Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice as you crisp chicken tenders in the air fryer, and before you know it you’ll be drizzling bang bang mayo over every tempting mouthful. Pack up any leftovers for a lunch you’ll look forward to all morning long.
Chicken and rice bowl recipes are reliable people-pleasers—no matter the season! Dishes that can be dressed up or down, that can be complex or simple, these dishes can take inspiration from any type of cuisine. They’re also a great way to repurpose leftovers and can become a delicious solution to how to use up every odd ingredient hiding in the crisper drawer! For meals with endless possibilities, chicken rice bowls are the dependable kitchen go-to that never fails to satisfy.