Try a peanut chicken protein bowl
Looking for a tasty way to hit your protein goals? A peanut chicken protein bowl checks all the boxes. It’s packed with lean chicken, crunchy veggies, and a creamy peanut sauce that adds just the right amount of savory sweetness. Plus, it’s surprisingly simple to bring together, even on busy days.
Gather your ingredients
For two hearty servings, you’ll need:
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 cup of cooked brown rice or quinoa
- 2 cups of chopped veggies (like spinach, bell peppers, or carrots)
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium if you prefer)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Approximate nutrition
Below is a rough snapshot of the nutrition per serving, though your numbers may vary depending on portion sizes and ingredient brands:
| Nutrient | Approx. amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | ~35 g |
| Carbs | ~30 g |
| Fat | ~15 g |
Steps to make it
1. Prep the marinade
- Season the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper, then place it in a shallow dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together half the soy sauce, half the garlic, and ginger if you’re using it.
- Pour this blend over the chicken. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, or while you whip up the peanut sauce.
2. Make the peanut sauce
- In another bowl, combine the peanut butter, remaining soy sauce, honey, vinegar, and the rest of your garlic.
- Stir until the mix is smooth with no lumps. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water until you reach a drizzling consistency.
- Taste test. If you want it sweeter, or with a bit more tang, adjust the honey or vinegar to your liking.
3. Cook and assemble
- Heat a lightly greased skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until it’s no longer pink in the middle.
- Slice the cooked chicken into strips.
- In a bowl, layer your rice (or quinoa), followed by chopped veggies, and lay the chicken slices on top.
- Drizzle everything with the peanut sauce. Sprinkle on extra chopped peanuts or sesame seeds for bonus crunch.
Tips and variations
- Veggie swap: Don’t love carrots? Try cucumber and red cabbage, or go for steamed broccoli and zucchini.
- Peanut-free option: Replace peanut butter with almond butter or tahini.
- Boost the flavor: Add chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to bring some extra heat.
- Meal prep idea: Double the ingredients, then portion your bowls into containers for the next few lunches.
Summing it up
Making a peanut chicken protein bowl is an easy way to spice up your high-protein plan without sacrificing flavor. You’ll get a balanced mix of lean protein, nutritious carbs, and healthy fats, all in a single bowl. Give it a go, and feel free to tweak it to suit your taste buds. If you have your own twist on the recipe, go ahead and share it so others can try it out, too!
High-Protein Diet Recipe for Peanut Chicken Protein Bowl
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
1 cup cooked brown rice or quinoa
2 cups chopped veggies (like spinach, bell peppers, or carrots)
2 tablespoons peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium if you prefer)
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Prep the marinade
- Season the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper, then place it in a shallow dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together half the soy sauce, half the garlic, and ginger if you’re using it.
- Pour this blend over the chicken. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, or while you whip up the peanut sauce.
- Make the peanut sauce
- In another bowl, combine the peanut butter, remaining soy sauce, honey, vinegar, and the rest of your garlic.
- Stir until the mix is smooth with no lumps. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water until you reach a drizzling consistency.
- Taste test. If you want it sweeter, or with a bit more tang, adjust the honey or vinegar to your liking.
- Cook and assemble
- Heat a lightly greased skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until it’s no longer pink in the middle.
- Slice the cooked chicken into strips.
- In a bowl, layer your rice (or quinoa), followed by chopped veggies, and lay the chicken slices on top.
- Drizzle everything with the peanut sauce. Sprinkle on extra chopped peanuts or sesame seeds for bonus crunch.