Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Buddha Bowls Recipe
These Thai Sweet Chili Chicken Buddha Bowls offer a vibrant, flavorful combination of juicy sweet chili chicken, fresh pineapple, and a variety of crunchy vegetables atop a nutritious quinoa base. This easy-to-make, well-balanced meal is perfect for meal prep, featuring a delightful balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors with a satisfying texture that’s both healthy and delicious.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa Base
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 3/4 cups water or coconut milk
Vegetables and Fruits
- 3 cups packed kale, massaged
- 2 cups bean sprouts
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 2 cups sliced pineapple
- 1 cup sliced red pepper
- 1 cup sliced red cabbage
Protein
- 1 pound cooked chicken, shredded or sliced
Dressing and Garnishes
- 1 cup sweet chili dressing
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Cook Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa under cold water. Bring 1 3/4 cups of water or coconut milk and quinoa to a boil in a pot. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Then fluff and let cool.
- Massage Kale: Thoroughly massage the packed kale leaves with your fingers until they turn a deep dark green and become tender. Optionally, add 1 teaspoon oil, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and a pinch of salt to help soften the kale more quickly.
- Assemble Bowl: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, massaged kale, bean sprouts, shredded carrot, pineapple slices, red peppers, and sliced red cabbage.
- Add Protein: Top the mixed vegetables and quinoa with shredded or sliced cooked chicken.
- Dress and Garnish: Drizzle the sweet chili dressing evenly over the bowl. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro for extra flavor and texture.
- Serve or Store: Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for meal prep. The quinoa can be made a day ahead to speed assembly and ensure it is cool when mixing.
Notes
- Massage kale well to soften its texture before adding it to the bowl.
- Use a skillet to cook sweet chili chicken for an alternate preparation method.
- For added creaminess, include sliced avocado as an option.
- Feel free to substitute quinoa with rice, noodles, or other whole grains based on preference.
- Make quinoa a day in advance for convenience during meal prep.
Keywords: Thai sweet chili chicken, buddha bowls, quinoa bowl, healthy chicken recipe, meal prep bowls, gluten free chicken bowl, easy Thai chicken, sweet chili dressing
