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There’s nothing quite like grilled barbecue chicken in a bowl with nutritious veggies. This delicious BBQ chicken bowl is made with fluffy quinoa, tender zucchini, cherry tomatoes, corn, and fresh cilantro for the best flavors possible. This easy dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner at home!
This grilled barbecue chicken bowl is a must if you are in the mood for a recipe that is rich with flavor, simple to make, and loaded with protein. The fluffy quinoa rounds the dish out and provides additional nutrients as well as the fresh grilled veggies: a flavor combination like no other.
The chicken is drizzled with sweet, smoky BBQ sauce and grilled to perfection, then it is dressed with fresh vegetables, lime juice, olive oil, and subtle quinoa. We make this recipe whenever we are looking for something different to do with chicken breasts because it’s so easy and loaded with juicy flavors that are unmatched.
This grilled barbecue chicken bowl is perfect for meal prep and can be prepared up to two to three days in advance. In need of a quick weekday or weekend lunch? These bbq chicken bowls are where it’s at! The whole family can enjoy this easy chicken recipe, and the best part about this recipe is that it is healthy!
Why This Grilled BBQ Chicken Bowl is So good
- Loaded with flavor: The tender chicken absorbs the sticky barbecue sauce and makes it super juicy and flavorful. The fluffy quinoa is mixed with fresh lime juice for ultra-bright flavors that complete the veggies.
- Rich with protein: Chicken breasts and quinoa are loaded with healthy lean protein and will keep you full for a while! Just one bowl fills us up and leaves us satisfied, content, and complete.
- Delicious and so easy: Barbecue chicken is sweet and savory and pairs well with the light quinoa plus the fresh veggies. This BBQ chicken bowl is ready in about 30 minutes and is so easy to throw together in one bowl!
- Perfect for meal prep: You will love this recipe for meal prep! Just double or triple the recipe so you can have lunch or dinner covered for a few days.
Ingredients
Chicken breasts: Four thin boneless and skinless chicken breasts are used for this recipe. We like to use chicken breasts because they are easy to slice and serve.
BBQ sauce: You can use storebought or homemade barbecue sauce – both options work! If you’re concerned about sugar content, just use a sauce that is low in sugar.
Olive oil: Olive oil is robust and rich in flavor so we highly recommend it; however, you can use any type of vegetable oil for this grilled, barbecue chicken bowl.
Salt and pepper: There’s nothing quite like the duo blend of salt and pepper! Be sure to use Kosher sea salt and freshly cracked pepper for the best flavors.
Corn: Four fresh ears of corn are used for this recipe and really elevate the dish. Grilled corn is perfection! We recommend using fresh corn due to its delicious flavors.
Zucchini: You will need two large zucchini cut into ¾-inch thick slices. You use pre-sliced zucchini if you cannot find whole zucchini.
Lime: One fresh lime is used for its juice to spritz the quinoa with. Lemon will also work.
Cherry tomatoes: Juicy cherry or grape tomatoes, halved and tossed throughout the other ingredients. You can use any type of tomato; just make sure to slice it beforehand.
Cooked quinoa: Four cups of cooked quinoa needed for this recipe. Cook the quinoa prior to starting this recipe so it’s ready to be layered in the bowls.
Optional: Cilantro and lime wedges are suggested as garnishments for these healthy, bbq chicken bowls. We highly recommend these garnishments as they allow the chicken bowls to be stacked with flavor!
How To Make This Simple BBQ Chicken Bowl Recipe
First, preheat the grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Next, drizzle the chicken breasts with one teaspoon of olive oil and coat them with salt and pepper. This step makes the chicken extra flavorful.
After that, place the chicken breasts on the preheated grill or grill pan and cook for four to five minutes per side. Brush one tablespoon of barbecue sauce over the chicken breasts and cook the chicken for an additional two minutes.
Next, slice the chicken breasts with a sharp knife and cover them with foil so they can stay warm.
Now, we’re going to cook the vegetables. Drizzle two teaspoons of olive oil over the zucchini and corn cobs. Place the vegetables on the grill and cook for two to three minutes per side until they are nicely charred and done.
Stir the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and lime juice into the quinoa and season to taste with salt and pepper. The quinoa will be super bright with flavor.
Finally, divide the quinoa between four bowls and arrange the chicken and zucchini slices on top.
Slice the corn off the cobs and add it to the bowls along with the cherry tomatoes. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges if desired and serve.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend cooking the quinoa in chicken or vegetable broth to really amp up its natural flavors. You can also season the quinoa to your preferred taste with salt and pepper. Lime juice and chopped cilantro are also great additions to cooked quinoa!
Quinoa has about twice the amount of protein compared to rice in addition to being rich in fiber. Quinoa will keep you full longer and is a healthier option all around.
Grilled vegetables are the best with bbq chicken! We recommend grilled zucchini, corn, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, etc.
We recommend cooking the chicken a little bit before placing the bbq sauce on it. Placing the bbq sauce on the chicken after it has cooked a little bit ensures that the chicken will absorb its flavors.
Notes and Tips
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat the chicken bowls in the microwave.
- Swap out the vegetables if you would like. Grilled mushrooms, squash, and sweet potatoes are great substitutions.
- Use your favorite bbq sauce for this grilled chicken bowl. The options are truly endless!
- Be sure to cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
More Healthy Recipes You Will Love
- Easy Greek Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Spicy Chicken Stir Fry
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp Recipe
Extra BBQ Recipes
- Grilled BBQ Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer BBQ Cauliflower Wings
- BBQ Shrimp
- BBQ Salmon
- Baked Barbecue Chicken Breast
- Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
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Barbecue Chicken Quinoa Bowls
Ingredients
- 4 Thin boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 tablespoons Barbecue sauce, look for a low sugar variety
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 Ears of corn
- 2 Large zucchini, cut into 3/4 inch thick slices
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 and 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cups Cooked quinoa
- Optional: cilantro leaves and lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil over the chicken breasts and season them to taste with salt and pepper.
- Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until done. Brush 1 tablespoon of barbecue sauce over each chicken breast and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Slice the chicken and cover with foil.
- Drizzle 2 teaspoons of olive oil over the zucchini and corn cobs. Place the vegetables on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until done.
- Stir the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the lime juice into the quinoa and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Divide the quinoa between 4 bowls and arrange the chicken and zucchini slices on top. Slice the corn off the cobs and add to the bowls, along with the cherry tomatoes. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges if desired and serve.
Notes
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat the chicken bowls in the microwave.
- Swap out the vegetables if you would like. Grilled mushrooms, squash, and sweet potatoes are great substitutions.
- Use your favorite bbq sauce for this grilled chicken bowl. The options are truly endless!
- Be sure to cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Merci pour ce partage et ce travail.
Hi Rena l love your recipes you give the breakdown on all your recioes especially the nutritional info. You make me want to eat healthy. Thank you so much keep up the great work.
Thank you Rosa! You are so kind.
I really don’t frequently consider using almond-milk in savory recipes…they all look yummy even however!
If you make it let me know if you like it
A bowl full of wholesome nutrition. Love this recipe!
Thank you sheeba