Pioneer Woman Brown Rice Power Bowl

Pioneer Woman brown rice power bowl takes 50 minutes and shredded chicken, tender broccoli and nutty brown rice to make a hearty main dish salad with creamy tahini dressing. This make-ahead healthy lunch bowl fits busy weeknights, weekly meal prep, summer picnic days and cozy desk lunches.

Let the rice sit covered off the heat for the full 10 minutes after simmering, because that rest finishes the cooking evenly. Skip it and you get wet, gummy grains that drag the whole bowl down.

Blending the tahini dressing with hot water makes it silky and pourable, so it coats every grain instead of clumping. Cooking the rice in chicken broth instead of water also seasons the base from the inside, which a plain-water bowl can't match.

Pioneer Woman Brown Rice Power Bowl

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Course: DinnerCuisine: American, MediterraneanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

520

kcal

Nutty brown rice, tender chicken and crisp-soft vegetables get tossed with fresh herbs in this chewy, creamy grain bowl. Once the tahini dressing goes over the top, every bite turns lemony-tangy and rich.

Ingredients

• FOR THE BROWN RICE:
  

• 2 c. Chicken Broth
  

• 1 c. Brown Rice
  

• 1 tsp. Kosher Salt
  

• FOR THE TAHINI DRESSING:
  

• 1 clove Garlic
  

• 2 tbsp. Tahini
  

• 4 tbsp. Hot Water
  

• 3 tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar
  

• 3 tbsp. Olive Oil
  

• Kosher Salt
  

• FOR THE POWER BOWL:
  

• 2 c. Cooked Broccoli Florets, Cut Into Small Pieces
  

• 2 c. Cooked Chicken Breast, Shredded Into Bite Size Pieces
  

• 1 c. Canned Garbanzo Beans, Rinsed And Drained
  

• 1 c. Cooked Peas
  

• 1 c. Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
  

• 1 Shallot, Thinly Sliced
  

• 1/4 c. Fresh Basil Leaves, Julienned
  

• 1/4 c. Fresh Mint Leaves, Julienned
  

• 2 tbsp. Minced Chives
  

Directions

• Cook the rice: Bring 2 cups chicken broth and 1 teaspoon kosher salt to a boil in a medium pot over high heat. Stir in 1 cup brown rice and bring it to a simmer.
• Simmer and rest: Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low and let the rice simmer for 20 minutes. Then pull the pot off the heat and let it sit another 10 minutes, still covered.
• Blend the dressing: While the rice cooks, add 1 clove garlic, 2 tablespoons tahini, 4 tablespoons hot water, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar and 3 tablespoons olive oil to a blender. Puree on high until smooth, then season to taste with kosher salt.
• Build the bowl: Transfer the cooked rice to a large bowl, then add 2 cups broccoli florets cut small and 2 cups shredded chicken breast. Add 1 cup rinsed garbanzo beans, 1 cup cooked peas, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 1 thinly sliced shallot.
• Add the herbs: Scatter in 1/4 cup julienned basil and 1/4 cup julienned mint. Toss everything well so the herbs and vegetables spread through the rice.
• Dress and serve: Move the bowl mixture to a serving platter or into individual bowls. Drizzle with the tahini dressing and sprinkle 2 tablespoons minced chives over the top.

Tools for this recipe

• Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 3-quart saucepan, Vitamix E310 blender, Pyrex 3-piece glass mixing bowl set, Diamond Crystal kosher salt, 3 lb. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I swap the chicken for something else?

Extra garbanzo beans or crispy baked tofu work well if you want a vegetarian bowl. Swap vegetable broth for the chicken broth too, so the rice stays meat-free.

How long do leftovers keep in the fridge?

Stored in an airtight container, the bowl keeps well for a few days, which makes it great for lunches. Keep the tahini dressing in a separate jar and drizzle it on right before eating so the herbs stay bright.

Can I make this ahead for a party?

Yes, cook the rice, blend the dressing and prep the vegetables a day ahead, then store them separately. Toss everything together just before serving so nothing gets soggy.

What if I don't have a blender for the dressing?

Mince the garlic very fine and whisk everything in a bowl, or shake it hard in a jar with a lid. It takes a little more effort, but the tahini will still come together once the hot water goes in.

What's the most common mistake with this bowl?

Lifting the lid during the rest period is the big one, since the trapped steam is what finishes the rice. Under-seasoning is the other, so taste the dressing and add salt until it really pops.