Creamy Grilled Chicken Bowl (with Herbed Sauce)
What’s in the bowl (visually)
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Char-grilled chicken (paprika + spice vibes)
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Black beans
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Diced tomatoes
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Corn
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Greens (lettuce or cilantro-lime slaw)
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Creamy herbed garlic sauce
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Chili oil or spicy drizzle
Ingredients (2–3 servings)
Chicken
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1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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½ tsp cumin
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½ tsp chili powder
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Salt & black pepper to taste
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Optional: splash of lime juice
Creamy Herbed Sauce
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½ cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
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2 tbsp mayonnaise
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1 clove garlic, grated
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1 tbsp lemon or lime juice
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1 tbsp chopped dill or parsley
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½ tsp dried oregano
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Salt to taste
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Water or milk to thin
Bowl Components
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1 cup cooked black beans (rinsed)
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1 cup corn (fresh or thawed frozen)
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1 cup diced tomatoes
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2 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens
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Optional toppings:
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Cilantro
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Green onions
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Avocado
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Pickled onions
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Spicy Drizzle
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Chili oil, hot sauce, or paprika oil
Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
Mix olive oil, spices, salt, pepper, and lime juice.
Coat chicken well and marinate at least 20 minutes (overnight = 🔥).
2. Cook the Chicken
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Grill: Medium-high heat, 5–6 min per side
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Pan-sear: Cast iron, medium-high, same timing
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Internal temp: 165°F (74°C)
Rest 5 minutes, then slice.
3. Make the Sauce
Whisk all sauce ingredients until smooth.
Thin slightly so it slowly drips, not pours.
4. Prep the Bowl
Warm beans and corn slightly (or keep cold—your call).
Season lightly with salt and pepper.
5. Assemble
Greens first → beans → corn → tomatoes → chicken
Big spoon of sauce on top
Finish with chili oil or hot sauce
Q & A
Q: Can I bake the chicken instead?
Yes!
Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes, broil last 2 minutes for char.
Q: What’s the closest store-bought sauce?
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Garlic aioli + yogurt
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Ranch + Greek yogurt + lemon
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Tzatziki with extra garlic
Q: Is this good for meal prep?
Absolutely.
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Store components separately
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Chicken keeps 3–4 days
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Sauce keeps 5 days
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Assemble fresh for best texture
Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
Yep.
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Use vegan mayo or cashew cream
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Swap yogurt for coconut yogurt (unsweetened)
Q: How do I make it spicier?
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Add cayenne to the chicken
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Mix hot sauce into the sauce
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Use chili crisp instead of oil 🌶️
Q: What can I swap the chicken with?
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Shrimp (paprika + garlic)
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Grilled tofu or tempeh
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Steak strips
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Roasted chickpeas
Q: Is this healthy?
Balanced and macro-friendly:
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Protein: chicken + yogurt
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Fiber: beans, corn, veggies
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Fats: olive oil, sauce
Easily adjustable for low-carb, high-protein, or calorie-light.
