Description
BBQ Ranch Chicken Quinoa Bowls are a vibrant and satisfying meal that combines juicy BBQ chicken, fluffy quinoa, and fresh vegetables. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, these bowls offer a delicious way to enjoy wholesome ingredients. The rich flavors of BBQ sauce and creamy ranch dressing come together beautifully, making each bite a delightful experience. Plus, with the option to customize ingredients based on your preferences, this recipe is as versatile as it is tasty. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or prepping meals for the week, these nutritious bowls are sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup low-sugar BBQ sauce
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup sweet corn (fresh, frozen, or off the cob)
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced or sliced
- 1 batch healthy Greek yogurt ranch (or use your favorite ranch)
- Fresh chopped cilantro
- Sliced scallions
Instructions
- For the Slow Cooker Method: Place chicken in a slow cooker, pour BBQ sauce over it, and cook on high for 2.5–3 hours. Shred chicken with forks.
- For the Grilling Method: Marinate chicken in BBQ sauce for an hour and grill until cooked through (165°F).
- Cook quinoa by bringing 1 cup quinoa and 2 cups water to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
- In each bowl, layer ~¾ cup cooked quinoa.
- Add ¼ of the BBQ chicken on top.
- Include ⅓ cup black beans.
- Add ½ cup shredded red cabbage.
- Top with ¼ cup corn, followed by diced red onion.
- Include Roma tomatoes, jalapeños, and avocado as desired.
- Drizzle with 1–2 tablespoons of ranch dressing.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and scallions before serving immediately!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking/Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 400g)
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 67g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Allow marinating time for deeper flavor. Experiment with different proteins like shrimp or tofu. Use brown rice or farro instead of quinoa for variety.