Baja Bowl with Chicken

 If you like Panera’s Baja bowl, you’re going to love this copycat recipe! This Baja bowl with chicken is packed full of protein, fiber, and flavor. You can enjoy it for dinner, lunch, or as a healthy meal prep idea.

This Baja bowl recipe is another number inspired by the Panera grain bowl menu. I shared my Mediterranean grain bowls recipe a while ago and it was such a hit, I decided to give the Baja bowl a try.

As it turns out, these little babies are super easy to make at home! While they do require quite a few ingredients, they are relatively simple to prepare. Although I opted to make almost everything from scratch, you could simplify things by using a store-bought rice and quinoa blend and corn salsa if you like.

Dietary Adaptions

To Make them Gluten-Free: No adaptations are needed, these bowls are gluten-free.

To Make them Dairy-Free: Omit the Greek yogurt.

Storage + Reheating

To Refrigerate: Once assembled, the bowls can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can also prepare all components of the bowls, store them separately in the fridge in airtight containers for up to 4 days, and assemble the bowls when you are ready to eat.

To Freeze: The cilantro lime brown rice and quinoa mixture and grilled chicken can be frozen once prepared. Allow them to cool completely and then store them in airtight containers in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, allow them to thaw completely, then assemble them with the other freshly prepared components of the bowls. The black bean and corn salsa should not be frozen.

To Reheat: If you prefer to eat the bowls warm, the rice and quinoa mixture and chicken can be warmed in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. The other components of the bowls should be consumed cold.

Ingredients

Cilantro Lime Brown Rice and Quinoa:

• 1 cup brown rice, raw
• 1/2 cup quinoa, raw
• 3 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 lime, zested and juiced

Chicken:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Black Bean and Corn Salsa:

• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, strained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels, thawed if frozen
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/4 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt

To Serve:

• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup salsa verde
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, or sour cream
• 1/4 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

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Instructions

1. In a small pot or saucepan, combine the brown rice, 3 cups of water, lime zest, juice of one lime, and ground coriander. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 25 minutes.
2. After 25 minutes, add quinoa, stir to combine with the brown rice, cover, and continue to cook on low-medium heat for 15 minutes or until cooked and can be fluffed with a fork.
3. While the grain mixture is cooking, prepare the chicken. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and season them generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
4. In a grill pan or cast-iron skillet on medium-high heat, warm the olive oil, then add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through or they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Once cooked, remove them from the pan and set aside for at least 5 minutes before slicing them into thin strips or cubes.
5. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the black bean and corn salsa. In a medium bowl, add the olive oil, lime juice, garlic powder, paprika, ground cumin, and a pinch of salt and whisk until well combined. Add the strained and rinsed black beans and corn and toss until well coated in the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
6. Once the grain mixture and chicken are ready, assemble the bowls. Split the cooked quinoa and rice mixture evenly across four bowls, then top with grilled chicken, black bean and corn salsa, tomatoes, avocado, a dollop of Greek yogurt, a drizzle of salsa verde, a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, and a wedge of lime.
7. These bowls can be served immediately or stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. If making them ahead of time, it is best to wait and add the avocado, Greek yogurt, and salsa verde when you are ready to serve.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 664 calories
• Sugar: 5 grams
• Fat: 23 grams
• Carbohydrates: 82 grams
• Fiber: 15 grams
• Protein: 36 grams

Đăng bởi quangtien30 lúc lúc April 05, 2024 0 bình luận