This High Protein Chicken Bowl is a nutrient-packed dish, including spicy chicken, savory sweet potatoes, black beans, and toasted pumpkin seeds. It's drizzled with a cashew lime crema and will become one of your favorite go-to high-protein dishes.
If you need help finding tasty dishes that help you reach your protein goal, try checking out my Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl, Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowl, and my Steak Fajita Bowl.
In This Post You'll Find:
The older I get, the more I’ve come to learn how much I enjoy different textures and flavors in my food. There’s something about the variation in what I’m eating — that no bite is the same — that I really enjoy.
I like creamy with crunchy, hot with cold, chewy with sour. All of it.
It’s for that reason that I think I absolutely adore bowls. With a bowl, you can pile on all the things, but in a neat and orderly fashion. Are you kidding me? Yes, please!
This High Protein Chicken Bowl does just that. On top of all that, it’s loaded with healthy, lean proteins and fats, making it a well-balanced and satisfying meal.
And if you are looking to swap a lunch or dinner from the Meal Prep For Weight Loss then this is a great option. Also, my Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken and Chicken Fajita Meal Prep are great options as well for meal prepping.
Ingredients For High Protein Chicken Bowl
Chicken Breasts: The chicken brings hearty substance and savory depth to the bowl. Its spice blend; cumin, chili, paprika, adds a warm, smoky profile that anchors the lighter, brighter elements. You can also swap for chicken thighs or steak, if you'd prefer.
Brown Rice: Its nutty flavor and chewy texture create a satisfying foundation, while its whole-grain goodness supports long-lasting energy. I have also used white rice and quinoa -- all work great.
Sweet Potatoes: Their crispy edges and soft centers add warmth and a touch of indulgence without sacrificing nutrition.
Black Beans: The black beans round out the bowl with a mild, creamy texture and a subtle earthiness. They're a quiet but essential player adding fiber, extra plant-based protein, and a grounding presence that complements both the rice and the chicken.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the cashews into a small bowl and cover with the boiling water. Soak for 1 hour, then drain. Add all of the cashew cream ingredients into a food processor and process until smooth. Add enough milk to get desired smooth consistency.
Step 2: To roast the sweet potatoes, preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the sweet potatoes with the olive oil and seasonings. Place on the prepared baking sheet and roast in preheated for 20-25 minutes, or until tender.
Step 3: To make the cilantro lime brown rice, combine the brown rice, low sodium chicken broth, sea salt, and freshly squeezed lime juice in a deep stock pot and bring to a simmer. Cook until the liquid is completely absorbed by the rice and the rice is tender, about 25-30 minutes. Then, toss in freshly chopped cilantro and stir to combine.
Step 4: Reduce heat from 425 degrees F to 350 degrees F once the sweet potatoes are done, and line another rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the ingredients for the pepitas in a small mixing bowl. Mix until fully combined, and then spread over the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 10-12 minutes, stirring halfway. Then, remove from oven and cool.
Step 5: Make the seasoning blend for the chicken in a mixing bowl by combining the cumin, paprika, chili powder, powdered garlic, and granulated onion in a small bowl. Coat the chicken well. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden-brown on both sides and cooked through, about 4-6 minutes per side. Them, remove from the skillet and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin slices.
Step 6: Start with filling the bottom of a bowl with the cilantro lime rice, then add the cooked black beans, roasted sweet potatoes, and sliced chicken over the top. Drizzle with the crema and top with the pumpkin seeds.
FAQs
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Protein?
This High Protein Chicken Bowl With Cashew Lime Crema ticks all the boxes, right? Scrumptious textures and tastes, and loads of healthy, good-for-you protein!
And you know, protein plays a critical part in the functioning of the body. It helps to structure and support cells, and aids in the transport of molecules throughout the body. These types of functions we aren’t really aware of, but some of the benefits of eating protein that we do see as we maintain a healthy lifestyle are:
- After a workout, protein helps to boost muscle building and increase muscle mass
- Protein helps to repair muscle in the event of an injury or overwork
- A protein-packed diet can help lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
- When your meal contains protein, you feel full and more satisfied
- Protein helps to refuel your body every day
Remember to balance your meals, though. A diet excessively high in protein can be hard on the liver and kidneys. That’s why it’s essential to round out every meal with complex carbs, nutrient-dense vegetables, and heart-healthy fats like avocado.
How to Make Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
I love the added crunch and flavor that the toasted pumpkin seeds add to this protein chicken bowl.
To make the pumpkin seeds, you'll need raw pumpkin seeds (AKA pepitas) and then just a few ingredients. Toss it all together, lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and then pop in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Be sure to watch them closely so they don't burn.
I like to make extra so that I can store them and enjoy as a quick savory and crunchy snack, too!
How to Store this High Protein Chicken Bowl
I have been super into meal prep lately, especially since Dustin got me these sweet new glass meal prep containers for Christmas. There's just something so fantastic about grabbing one of these chicken protein bowls from the fridge, ready to heat and enjoy. If you need help with finding good meal prep containers, check out my post on the Ultimate Guide To Meal Prep Containers.
Because there is avocado in the cashew lime crema, it won’t last very well in the fridge unless sealed in an airtight container. While it will taste fine, the avocado will get brown and won't look very appealing. You can help to avoid this by laying a sheet of plastic wrap tightly over the top of the crema and storing it separately from the rest of the bowl, then drizzling it over the top when you're ready to serve.
For the rest of the chicken protein bowl, you can store it easily in the meal prep container in the fridge for up to 4-6 days. To reheat, just remove the lid, and heat on high for 2 minutes in the microwave.
