BBQ Chicken Grain Bowl (Printable)
Smoky grilled chicken over whole grains with fresh veggies, avocado, and tangy barbecue glaze for a satisfying weeknight meal.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup barbecue sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Grains
06 - 2 cups cooked brown rice, quinoa, or farro
→ Vegetables & Toppings
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 cup canned corn, drained
09 - 1 large avocado, sliced
10 - 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
11 - 1/2 cup scallions, thinly sliced
12 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
→ Optional
13 - Lime wedges, for serving
14 - Extra barbecue sauce, for drizzling
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and season evenly with salt and black pepper.
02 - Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 5–6 minutes per side. During the last 2–3 minutes of cooking, baste generously with barbecue sauce until the chicken is cooked through and has a glossy, caramelized glaze. Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
03 - Divide the cooked grains evenly among 4 bowls, creating a foundation layer.
04 - Top each bowl with the sliced barbecue chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, corn, avocado slices, shredded purple cabbage, and thinly sliced scallions.
05 - Sprinkle fresh cilantro over each bowl. Add lime wedges on the side and drizzle with extra barbecue sauce if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The smoky sweet glaze on the chicken makes everything else in the bowl taste better without needing a separate dressing.
- It is endlessly adaptable so you can use whatever grains and vegetables you have on hand.
- Ready in under an hour with mostly hands off cooking.
02 -
- If you add the barbecue sauce too early it will burn and turn bitter so wait until those final minutes of grilling.
- Letting the chicken rest is not optional because sliced immediately it will lose all its moisture onto your cutting board.
03 -
- Check your barbecue sauce label for hidden gluten and soy if cooking for someone with allergies because many brands sneak them in.
- Quick pickled red onions added on top take this from good to the kind of meal people text you about the next day.