Thai Chicken & Rice Bowls – A Lunch Staple When You Want Takeout!

Struggling to choose between a take-out craving and a nutritious homemade meal? These simple Thai Chicken Bowls offer the best of both worlds right in your kitchen.

Made with juicy chicken, crisp veggies, and served atop a bed of rice, these bowls offer a blend of flavors, crunch, and nourishment, all in just a quick fix!

Forget those recipes that seem overwhelming for busy moms—this isn’t one of them. These Thai Chicken Bowls are bursting with flavor, requiring minimal effort for maximum satisfaction.

This juicy chicken has the perfect Asian flavor to really hit the spot when craving a restaurant meal, but easy to make at home! Combined with crunchy raw veggies, rice, and the tasty Peanut Sauce—a culinary masterpiece for hardly any sacrifice of time.

And trust me, the leftovers are just as amazing the next day! Make some extra, and tomorrow you will be thankful!

Make sure you check out the peanut sauce recipe!
The Best Thai Peanut Sauce

Recipe Variations

Here are some tweaks to tailor your bowls to everyone’s tastes:

Protein Substitutions – Explore beyond chicken! Consider substituting it with shrimp, tofu, turkey, or any other protein of your choice. Each alternative pairs great with rice and veggies, offering a unique flavor profile.
Low-Carb Adaptation – Elevate the nutritional value of your Thai Chicken Bowls by opting for a low-carb approach. Replace traditional rice with cauliflower rice for a lighter alternative. Same delicious taste while enjoying fewer calories and carbs—a win-win scenario for health-conscious foodies!
Peanut-Free Option – For those with peanut allergies you can still enjoy the Thai sauce by using almond butter or sunflower butter as a substitute. The result is equally tasty, ensuring that everyone can eat this dish without worry.

Efficient Prep Strategies

Maximize efficiency in the kitchen with these handy prep tips:

Advance Peanut Sauce Preparation – Streamline your cooking process by preparing the peanut sauce ahead of time. Having it on hand ensures convenience whenever it’s needed.
Early Chicken Marination – Jumpstart the flavor infusion by marinating the chicken in advance. Utilize oven downtime to assemble the remaining ingredients.
Ideal for Make-Ahead Meals – Transform this recipe into a convenient make-ahead lunch option suitable for work or school. Prepare a batch in advance and have that to go meal ready!

Thai Chicken Lunch Bowl

Natasha Pehrson Print Recipe

Struggling to choose between a take-out craving and a nutritious homemade meal? These simple Thai Chicken Bowls offer the best of both worlds right in your kitchen.

Yield 4

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Ingredients

1 cup brown rice
2 cups bone broth
1 cup packaged coleslaw mix
2 tablespoons peanut sauce (Recipe linked in notes below!)
2 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Salt and pepper to taste
Handful of peanuts chopped
Fresh lime wedges
Fresh cilantro leaves
Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

Cook the Brown Rice:

Rinse the brown rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
In a pot, bring the bone broth to a boil.
Add the rinsed brown rice to the boiling broth, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and set aside.

Prepare the Peanut Sauce:

Follow the link to my homemade peanut sauce recipe and prepare it according to the instructions.
Once ready, set aside until needed.

Cook the Chicken:

Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil.
Add the chicken thighs to the skillet and cook for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through and nicely browned on the outside.
Once cooked, remove from heat and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing them into strips.

Assemble the Bowls:

In each serving bowl, add a generous portion of cooked brown rice.
Top the rice with a handful of packaged coleslaw mix.
Drizzle peanut sauce over the coleslaw mix.
Arrange the sliced chicken thighs on top.
Sprinkle chopped peanuts over the chicken.
Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves, a squeeze of lime juice, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Notes

Make the sauce for this dish here:

This is the best Thai Peanut Sauce!!

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Thai Chicken Lunch Bowl