Craving bold, spicy flavor without sacrificing your health goals? You’re going to love this Buffalo Chicken Bowl.
Whether you’re prepping lunches for the week or whipping up a quick family dinner, this recipe delivers big flavor in a balanced, customizable bowl.
We’ll walk you through how to create a buffalo chicken bowl from scratch—covering the essential ingredients, step-by-step instructions, healthy swaps, storage tips, and tasty variations.
Let’s dive into the spicy goodness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To build the ultimate buffalo chicken bowl, here’s what you’ll need:
For the Buffalo Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Bowl Base (choose one):
- 2 cups cooked brown rice or white rice
- or 2 cups cauliflower rice
- or 4 cups chopped romaine or spinach
Toppings:
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup diced celery
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded cheddar
- ¼ cup ranch or blue cheese dressing (or Greek yogurt dressing)
- Fresh cilantro or green onions (optional, for garnish)
How to Make the Best Buffalo Chicken Bowl
Creating this dish is simple and quick. Here’s a breakdown:
Step 1: Cook the chicken
- Grill, pan-sear, or bake chicken until cooked through (165°F internal temp).
- Slice or shred the chicken and toss in buffalo sauce while hot.
Step 2: Prepare your base
- Cook rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice per package instructions.
- For a salad base, chop and wash greens.
Step 3: Prep your toppings
- Chop all vegetables and set them aside for assembly.
Step 4: Assemble the bowl
- Add the base to your bowl.
- Layer on the buffalo chicken.
- Add your toppings of choice.
- Drizzle with ranch, blue cheese, or yogurt dressing.
Step 5: Serve
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for meal prep.
Healthy Swaps and Dietary Modifications
Whether you have specific dietary goals or allergies, this recipe is easy to adapt:
Low-carb or keto-friendly:
- Use cauliflower rice instead of grains.
- Skip beans and corn to reduce carbs.
Gluten-free:
- Ensure buffalo sauce and dressing are certified gluten-free.
Dairy-free:
- Use a dairy-free dressing or substitute with mashed avocado or tahini.
- Omit cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
Vegan version:
- Substitute chicken with baked tofu or chickpeas tossed in buffalo sauce.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
This buffalo chicken bowl is ideal for meal prep:
For batch cooking:
- Cook a large batch of chicken and portion it into containers.
- Store base and toppings separately for maximum freshness.
- Keep dressing on the side to avoid sogginess.
Storage:
- Chicken lasts up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Store chopped veggies in airtight containers.
- Rice and grains can be refrigerated or frozen.
Reheating:
- Reheat the chicken and grain base in the microwave.
- Add cold toppings and dressing after heating.
Delicious Buffalo Chicken Bowl Variations
Keep things interesting with these tasty variations:
Buffalo Chicken Burrito Bowl:
- Add black beans, rice, corn, and salsa.
Buffalo Chicken Salad Bowl:
- Skip the grains and serve over chopped romaine with crunchy veggies.
Buffalo Chicken Wrap or Pita:
- Wrap the ingredients in a tortilla or pita pocket.
Slow Cooker or Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken:
- Use shredded crockpot chicken or air fry for extra crispiness.
What to Serve with a Buffalo Chicken Bowl
While the bowl is filling on its own, these sides and pairings make it even better:
Side ideas:
Drinks to pair:
- Sparkling water with lime
- Light beer or cider
- Unsweetened iced tea
Family-style tips:
- Create a DIY buffalo chicken bowl bar with toppings laid out buffet-style.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I make this buffalo chicken bowl ahead of time?
Yes! This is a great meal prep option. Store components separately and combine when ready to eat. Keep dressing on the side to prevent sogginess.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Shred it and toss it in buffalo sauce—perfect shortcut for busy nights.
Can I bake or air-fry the chicken instead?
Yes. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or air fry at 380°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Easy Buffalo Chicken Bowl Recipe
For the Buffalo Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- ½ cup buffalo sauce store-bought or homemade
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Bowl Base (choose one):
- 2 cups cooked brown rice or white rice
- 2 cups cauliflower rice
- 4 cups chopped romaine or spinach
Toppings:
- 1 avocado diced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup diced celery
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded cheddar
- ¼ cup ranch or blue cheese dressing or Greek yogurt dressing
- Fresh cilantro or green onions optional, for garnish
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
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Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or keep whole if you prefer slices.
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Season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add chicken and cook for about 6–8 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
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Turn off heat, then toss the cooked chicken with buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
Step 2: Prepare the Base
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While the chicken cooks, prepare your chosen base (rice, cauliflower rice, or greens).
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Warm rice or cauliflower rice as needed.
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If using greens, rinse and dry thoroughly.
Step 3: Prep Toppings
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Dice avocado, slice cherry tomatoes, shred carrots, chop celery, and dice red onion.
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Crumble blue cheese or shred cheddar.
Step 4: Assemble the Bowls
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Add your base to each bowl (about ½ cup cooked rice or 1 cup greens per bowl).
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Top with buffalo chicken.
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Add veggies and toppings of choice.
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Drizzle with dressing.
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Garnish with cilantro or green onions if desired.