These 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 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 an easy side dish to round out this nutritious 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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Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bowls
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: South American
Description
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
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44 comments on “Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bowls”
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!
Great article, this is such an interesting and informative article.
Hi I really appreciate all the great content you have here. I am glad I cam across it!
Thank you so much!
Hi I really appreciate all the great content you have here. I am glad I cam across it!
Looks great ! i love hearty chicken is delicious and useful for health.chicken provide vitamin A and vitamin C, and chikcen low fat protein.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.. they are really interesting.. I would like to read more from you.
i will try made it. it is very tasty and healthy,thanks for sharing
Hello Krista! This looks fabulous! We are big buffalo fans in our house and Iām sure this would be a hit. I love the quinoa!
Yo WTF I was just looking for a recipe not your gospel.
haha… well don’t want to read it that’s fine, you can just scroll down to the recipe š enjoy!
Loved this so much I am making it again tonight, one week later! I swapped the cream cheese with Greek yogurt to make it a little lighter and it was the perfect substitute. I also sprinkled a little feta cheese on the top before serving. My husband loves buffalo sauce so he loved this dish. Thanks for the recipe… itāll be one we use often!
Oh you message jut touched my heart! I was meant to read this recipe and your message today! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I cannot wait to put this chicken over quinoa. The thought never occurred to me – and this makes it soo good!!
Gorgeous pictures. I made these buffalo chicken quinoa bowls for the super bowl party and it was a crowd favorite. I’m also gonna pin this post on my Pinterest board my followers will love it. Thanks for sharing, Krista!
So glad it was a hit Bella. Thanks for the pinterest love too!
I love how you talked about God’s love before the recipes! So unexpected but so loved!
thank you so much, that means the world to me!
I stumbled over your website awhile back and must have signed up for the recipes because one just popped into me email not ten minutes ago.
wooohoo… lucky you!
Hi Krista
I stumbled over your website awhile back and must have signed up for the recipes because one just popped into me email not ten minutes ago.
Can I just say how visually appealing your website is – so colourful and beautifully photographed. You are so very talented and your recipes look so delicious – and not full of lots of weird things one has to do special shopping for.
I have now pinned your website ~ I don’t want to lose track of you! I’m guessing you must be American – I have no idea what buffalo chicken is but I’m definitely going to give it a try. (Or maybe I’m just an ignorant Australian.)
I’m going to spend the next – oh… probably at least a couple of hours.. going over your website – its so inspirational – and certainly much more fun than doing my annual tax return!
So sorry you’re struggling… but glad to hear the music gave you a lift. Music can certainly touch your heart as do those around us.
Good things!
hahaa…. You’re comment totally made my day! Yes, I am america. Grew up in Wisconsin but now live in Texas and my husband adored football and all things buffalo chicken. Hence my “healthier” version of buffalo chicken. š It’s delicious … trust me!
You sound like a girl after my own heart… searching for recipes to avoid doing work! Yup.. me in a nut shell. Just add in a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and we’re twins! Thank you for putting a smile on my face today Lisa! You’re such a sweetheart!
Buffalo chicken is a big thing in our house right now and I know these quinoa bowls would be very well received.
I think of you often, friend. I’m so sorry that you are going through such a tough time. xo
Oh thank you so much Dara! You are so sweet girl! Wish we could meet up and get a big hug from you! š
You’re boys will TOTALLY love these, especially if Buffalo Chicken is their jam!
I am a HUGE fan of buffalo chicken. Buffalo everything actually – can’t wait to give this a try!
Hurray for buffalo lovers! š
So much flavor in these bowls! Totally delish I’m sure!
Thanks Trish!
What a beautiful song! I love Bethel music, but I haven’t heard this song yet. The lyrics, though, are incredibly beautiful and encouraging–I really needed that today!. On a dinner note, this meal you put together looks incredible!
Yeah Bethel Music rocks, it always leaves me feeling lifted up and re-centered!
I love anything Buffalo flavored, and I love that this is light and healthy too!
Thanks Dee! Wooohoo for buffalo flavors!
Absolutely love this bowl, Krista! Pretty much anything Buffalo is my favorite thing š I think my hubs would love this (he’s not big on quinoa, either)!
Yeah, the yummy buffalo chicken trumped the fact that he was eating quinoa .. and it worked for both my hubbie an my son! #momwin
These look amazing! I want these for dinner!
Do it! You won’t regret it!
Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us and for this wonderful reminder to know our voices don’t fall on deaf ears <3
Oh… thanks girl! That means a lot! š