Description
A nutritious and flavorful Rice Bowl featuring tender shredded chicken, hearty kale, and crispy roasted chickpeas, all elevated by a creamy, tangy tahini dressing. Perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner, this recipe combines wholesome grains, fresh vegetables, and protein in a simple yet satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed or minced
- ¼ cup water (plus more as needed)
Bowl Components
- 1½ cups crispy roasted chickpeas
- 6 cups stemmed, roughly chopped kale
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cups cooked brown rice, warm or room temperature
- 2 cups shredded chicken (store-bought rotisserie or homemade)
- 1 large avocado, diced
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup fresh chives, chopped
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In the base of a blender, combine tahini, extra-virgin olive oil, raw apple cider vinegar, sea salt, toasted sesame oil, honey, ground ginger, garlic cloves, and ¼ cup water. Blend on high for about 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If the dressing is too thick, gradually add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Prepare the kale: Place the roughly chopped and stemmed kale into a large bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil and massage the leaves gently with your hands for approximately 2 minutes. This process softens and tenderizes the kale, making it more pleasant to eat.
- Assemble the rice bowls: Evenly divide the cooked brown rice among 4 serving bowls. Top the rice with the massaged kale, crispy roasted chickpeas, shredded chicken, and diced avocado.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle each bowl with crumbled feta cheese, sunflower seeds, and chopped fresh chives for added texture, flavor, and color.
- Finish and serve: Generously drizzle the creamy tahini dressing over each bowl. Serve immediately, enjoying the harmonious blend of creamy, crunchy, and savory elements.
Notes
- You can use store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience or homemade shredded chicken for freshness.
- Massage the kale thoroughly to reduce bitterness and enhance texture.
- Adjust the thickness of the tahini dressing by adding water gradually until you reach your preferred consistency.
- For a vegan option, omit the feta cheese or substitute it with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Roasted chickpeas add a great crunchy texture; you can make your own or buy pre-roasted ones.
