Looking for the perfect protein-packed bowl of goodness to keep you powered through the day? This harvest grain bowl will do just that! In fact, it's loaded with quinoa, chicken, sweet potatoes, beans, greens, feta, and Refrigerator Pickled Onions and then topped off with an easy cilantro-lime vinaigrette. It's guaranteed to satisfy whatever craving you have at the moment.
I love to prep the ingredients for this healthy chicken grain bowl ahead of time, especially for busy weekdays. And, the best thing about this recipe is that it is customizable. Add or take away whatever you'd like to make it your own.
Keep a jar of my Refrigerator Pickled Onions in the fridge to have on hand to add to this dish as well to top sandwiches or tacos (like my Beef Barbacoa Tacos). In fact, go ahead and make a double-batch of the cilantro-lime vinaigrette as well. It's awesome to have on-hand.
Finally, if you're a fan of bowl recipes, then you'll love my Mediterranean Bowls recipe. And, my friend from culinary school, Nicki Sizemore, has an awesome book called Build-A-Bowl. It's chockfull of all-in-one dinners, and I highly recommend snagging a copy.
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Ingredients
First, gather all your ingredients to make this chicken grain bowl. Don't be intimidated by the lengthy ingredients list. When I made this recipe, I was cleaning out the fridge and using what I had in the pantry.
- Sweet potatoes
- Quinoa
- Mixed greens
- Dark red kidney beans
- Ground cumin
- Ground coriander
- Olive oil
- Cooked chicken breast
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Refrigerator Pickled Onions
- Fresh cilantro
- Garlic cloves
- Honey
- Lime zest
- Lime juice
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
(See recipe card for quantities.)
Instructions
Here's how to make this harvest grain bowl, step by step:
First, season and bake the sweet potatoes.
Then, toast, cook, and fluff the quinoa.
Next, season and cook the beans.
Finally, make the vinaigrette and assemble the grain bowls.
Hint: Don't be tempted to omit the step of rinsing the quinoa. Rinsing with water helps remove the natural coating from the quinoa and prevents it from tasting bitter.
Substitutions
Here are some easy ingredient substitutions for this harvest grain bowl to fit within any diet:
- Greens - Instead of mixed greens, you can use baby spinach, chopped romaine, baby kale, or arugula.
- Cheese - Use crumbled goat cheese or queso fresca instead of the feta. Or, for a dairy-free version, use a nut-based cheese.
- Vegetarian - Omit the chicken and add toasted pumpkin seeds or seared tofu.
Variations
The options are endless for this harvest grain bowl recipe. Try these twists to change it up.
- Spicy - Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chipotle chile powder to the vinaigrette to add a kick of heat.
- Leftover Magic - Add any leftover roasted vegetables, grilled shrimp, or steak in place of the chicken.
- Crunch-tastic - Sprinkle with toasted pecans or almonds to add a little crunch.
Equipment
Here's what you'll need to make this recipe:
- 1 vegetable peeler
- 1 strainer
- 1 rimmed baking sheet
- 2 small saucepans
Storage
For the best results, store the vinaigrette separately from the rest of the grain bowl ingredients for up to 3 days.
To meal prep this harvest grain bowl recipe, use a large Mason jar or glass storage container. Pour some of the vinaigrette in the bottom of the jar. Layer the remaining ingredients over the vinaigrette, ending with the mixed greens. Seal or cover the container. When you're ready to eat, give the jar or container a shake.
Tasty tip
The next time you're at the grocery store, grab a rotisserie chicken. While the chicken is still warm, skin and shred or slice it. It's the perfect meal prep solution for this harvest grain bowl recipe.
Frequently asked questions
If you've never made a grain bowl before, you may have some of the same of these frequently asked questions:
Grain bowls, like this harvest grain bowl, are an all-in-one complete meal. You'll find grains, protein, veggies, and a dressing to drizzle on top.
That depends, but in the case of this chicken grain bowl recipe the answer is yes! This one has quinoa, a protein-rich whole grain, plus tons of veggies and chicken.
The great thing about a grain bowl is you can eat it however you like! For this harvest grain bowl recipe, I recommend serving it warm or room temperature so you don't wilt the mixed greens.
This depends on the grain. However, for this recipe, you'll definitely want to rinse the quinoa before cooking it. Rinsing will remove the bitter natural coating.
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🍽Get the recipe
Harvest Grain Bowl
Equipment
- 1 vegetable peeler
- 1 strainer
- 1 rimmed baking sheet
- 2 small saucepans
Ingredients
For the harvest grain bowl:
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- Olive oil
- ½ cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, skinned and sliced
- 3 cups mixed greens
- Refrigerator Pickled Onions
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh cilantro leaves
For the cilantro-lime vinaigrette:
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 4 teaspoon lime juice
- 2 teaspoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
- 6 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Toss the sweet potatoes with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes or until browned and tender.
- While the sweet potatoes bake, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a small saucepan. Add the quinoa and cook 30 seconds to toast. Add 1 cup water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer 30 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Meanwhile, place the beans in a saucepan with water to cover. Stir in ¼ teaspoon salt, cumin, and coriander. Simmer until heated through.
- Make the vinaigrette. Whisk together the lime zest, lime juice, honey, garlic, and cilantro. Whisk in the extra virgin olive oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- To serve, spoon the quinoa into serving bowls. Top evenly with sweet potatoes, chicken, beans, mixed greens, Refrigerator Pickled Onions, feta, and cilantro. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing.
Recipe guidelines and test kitchen tips
When developing and testing recipes, here are some key things that I do for more success in the kitchen:
- Be sure to use dry measuring cups for things like flour, sugar, and mayonnaise and a liquid measuring cup for things like water, milk, and broth.
- When measuring dry ingredients like flour and powdered sugar that can pack down, spoon the ingredient into a dry measuring cup and level with a knife as opposed to scooping the measuring cup into the ingredient.
- I test and develop recipes using a standard electric oven and standard gas stovetop. Be aware that if you use an electric stovetop or convection oven, your bake times will be different.
- When recipes call for kosher salt, I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt.
Food safety
Don't forget to keep these food safety tips in mind when making this harvest grain bowl recipe:
- If cooking the chicken from scratch, cook to a minimum temperature of 165°F
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Don't forget to wash your hands after touching raw meat
- Cover and refrigerate any leftovers--don't let them hang out at room temperature for too long
- Keep an eye on the sweet potatoes as they bake; every oven is different
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Erin says
I used your rotisserie chicken tip, and wow. This bowl was easier than I thought and SO good! Thanks a bunch.
AshleyFreeman says
Awesome! I'm so glad you liked it!
Krystle says
I love all the yummy flavors and textures. I meal prep this recipe often.
AshleyFreeman says
Yay! It's a great meal prep recipe.
JC says
This was the best! I also love how customizable this could be in the future given what proteins one has on hand. Will definitely be making again!
AshleyFreeman says
Yay! Yes, it is super versatile--a great way to clean out the fridge too 😉
Swathi says
I agree with you this harvest grain bowl is yummy. Great with bowl of soup.
AshleyFreeman says
Love that Swathi! Thanks for sharing!
Amy says
Loved this protein packed grain bowl! Been trying to "bulk up" my diet and this was so delicious!
AshleyFreeman says
Thanks Amy! Glad you liked it!
Nicole says
So many amazing flavors in one bowl! We will be putting this into the regular rotation!
AshleyFreeman says
The best kitchen sink dinner!
Jacqueline. says
This is a lovely, tasty and nutritious grain bowl recipe that I'll be making often for my lunch. I loved the vinaigrette a lot!
AshleyFreeman says
Yay! So glad to hear that!
Swathi says
This harvest grain bowl is delicious I like the sweet potatoes addition . My family enjoyed it.
AshleyFreeman says
Thank you Swathi!
Oscar says
I tried this harvest grain bowl, and it was incredibly satisfying! The variety of flavors and textures made it a perfect, energizing meal.
AshleyFreeman says
Thanks so much Oscar! Glad you liked it!
Elizabeth says
This bowl is so delicious! I loved seeing all the color on my plate. Such a great lunch idea!
AshleyFreeman says
Thanks Elizabeth! It always satisfies whatever craving I have!