These healthy Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bowls are a game-changer! Spicy shredded buffalo chicken is served over a fluffy bed of quinoa and topped with creamy avocado slices, juicy tomatoes, crunchy lettuce and cool ranch dressing.
Want another yummy quinoa recipe for football night? Add my Southwestern Turkey Quinoa Stuffed Peppers to the menu!
Easy Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bowls
Whether you’re watching the Super Bowl or serving a weeknight dinner, these buffalo chicken quinoa bowls are a mouthwatering meal that everyone will devour. The crowd-favorite flavors of buffalo chicken combine with fresh, juicy veggies and fluffy quinoa in one irresistible bowl! And it all comes together in less than 30 minutes.
You can easily customize this recipe by using different veggies or substituting the quinoa. I love topping my bowls with some creamy ranch, but feel free to go for shredded cheddar, bleu cheese dressing or anything else you like. Get creative and create your ultimate buffalo chicken bowls!
What is Quinoa?
Quinoa is a popular gluten-free grain replacement that’s made from the seeds of a flowering plant native to South America. Not only is it great for people with celiac disease and others on a gluten-free diet, but it’s also packed with protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. In fact, quinoa contains more dietary minerals than most grains do! Plus, it’s super tasty and easy to work with.
Recipe Ingredients
Listed below are the trusty ingredients that make this quick and easy dinner stand out from the rest. Let’s get started!
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cooked and shredded.
- Hot Sauce: I use Frank’s Original Red Hot.
- Cream Cheese: Don’t forget to soften it!
- Quinoa: Uncooked.
- Water: For cooking the quinoa.
- Green Leaf Lettuce: Chopped into pieces of your desired size.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Cut in half.
- Avocados: Remove the cores and the skin, then slice them up.
- Red Onion: Sliced.
- Fresh Cilantro: Diced.
- Ranch Dressing: Optional, to top off the bowls.
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How to Make Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bowls
These hearty quinoa bowls take the stress and strain out of healthy meal prep. Get ready to sigh with relief when you see how easy they are!
Cook Quinoa: Add the quinoa and water to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
Let Sit: Turn the heat off and let the quinoa sit there for 5 minutes. Then, fluff it up with a fork.
Combine Chicken, Hot Sauce & Cream Cheese: While the quinoa is resting, add the shredded chicken, Frank’s red hot sauce and cream cheese to a medium bowl. Mix everything together and make sure all the chicken is coated with the sauce.
Assemble Bowls: Gather 4 serving bowls and add 3/4 cup of quinoa, 3/4 cup of lettuce and 1/2 cup of shredded buffalo chicken to each one. Distribute the cherry tomatoes, sliced avocados, sliced red onion and fresh cilantro equally among each bowl.
Enjoy! Drizzle the bowls with ranch dressing, if desired, and serve them immediately.
Tips for Success
Want more advice for making flawless buffalo chicken quinoa bowls? Take note of these easy tips and tricks before you start cooking.
- Check the Water to Quinoa Ratio: It’s important to use the right amount of water when cooking your quinoa. Make sure there is twice as much water as there is quinoa for guaranteed fluffiness.
- Give it a Rest: Letting the quinoa rest after it cooks is another helpful tip for light and fluffy quinoa. Leave it alone for 5 minutes, then fluff it up before adding it to the bowls.
- Coat the Chicken Well: You want your shredded chicken to be coated evenly with the hot sauce and cream cheese mixture so the flavor is equally distributed. Softening the cream cheese is a must to make this happen!
- Adjust the Heat: Everyone has their own preference when it comes to the spiciness of their food. If you like milder buffalo chicken wings, pick a less intense hot sauce. If you taste the buffalo chicken and want to add even more heat, go ahead and mix in some smoked paprika or crushed red pepper flakes.
Serving Suggestions
You can never go wrong with this recipe, but there are plenty of ways to go right! Here are some super yummy serving ideas:
- Wrap it Up: Instead of chopping up some lettuce for your quinoa bowls, try wrapping everything into lettuce leaves and turning your bowls into buffalo chicken lettuce wraps!
- Pair with Potatoes: Want a healthy side dish to round out this nutritous meal? Consider choosing these savory baked Garlic Ranch Potatoes! You won’t regret it.
- Serve with Roasted Veggies: When in doubt, add more veggies! I love pairing my buffalo chicken bowls with these tender Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
If you think you may have leftovers, hold off on assembling all of the bowls. Store the ingredients in separate airtight containers in the fridge, making sure the quinoa and chicken are completely cooled before refrigerating. Leftovers last for 4-5 days, if stored properly.
The chicken can be reheated in the oven and the quinoa can be warmed up on the stove. You could also simply microwave them (separately, of course). Add a splash of water to the quinoa so it’s not too dry and give it a good fluff after reheating it.
Can I Freeze Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bowls?
Yes! Each component of these quinoa bowls can be frozen in a freezer-safe container or storage bag. Just make sure the chicken and quinoa have cooled first. Thaw everything out in the fridge before reheating and assembling.
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These healthy Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bowls are a game-changer! Spicy shredded buffalo chicken is served over a fluffy bed of quinoa and topped with creamy avocado slices, juicy tomatoes, crunchy lettuce and cool ranch dressing.
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked & shredded
- 3/4 cup franks red hot sauce (origninal)
- 2 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups of water
- 4 cups of chopped green leaf lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 avocados, sliced
- 1/3 cup sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup diced fresh cilantro
- optional: drizzle ranch dressing
Instructions
- To a medium sauce pan, add quinoa and water. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce to simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Turn the heat off and let the quinoa sit there for 5 minutes. Then fluff the quinoa with a fork.
- In the meantime, add shredded chicken, franks red hot sauce, and cream cheese to a medium bowl. Mix everything together and make sure all the chicken is coated with the sauce.
- Gather 4 bowls. Add 3/4 cup of quinoa, 3/4 cup of lettuce, 1/2 cup of the buffalo chicken mixture, cherry tomatoes, sliced avocado, sliced red onion and fresh cilantro to each bowl. (optional: drizzle ranch dressing on top)
- Serve and devour!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 442
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1797 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 63 mg
Keywords: quinoa bowls, buffalo chicken, leftover chicken ideas
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I’ve been looking for different way to cook with quinoa & this recipe did not disappoint! I love that its so simple but packed with flavour…..not to mention its perfect for meal prep! Thanks so much for sharing this, it’s a keeper.
★★★★★
Quinoa is so versatile! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
I was looking for a recipe using rotisserie chicken, and I really enjoyed your “Blog” that you put with it! I Praise God for young people , like you, that express your love (and disappointment) with others about your walk with The Lord… Yes, He feels everything we go through, and He wants to Raise Us Up… Big time, and comfort us so we can comfort others… which you have done! Many Blessings to you and yours!
Awe thank you so much! This post just made my day!
I needed to find a simple chicken recipe and found this one. It was quick and easy. My husband loved it. I used another blog tip to shred the chicken with my hand mixer, which then. Add it easy to mix in the cream cheese and the sauce. Very healthy and filling, but not a heavy meal. We posted pics on FB, and everyone loved it!
★★★★
Yes, I love the mixer trick! So glad it was a hit!
This is so good!!!
★★★★★
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed it!
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