Veggie-Packed Buddha Bowl Recipe

The Veggie-packed Buddha Bowl is a vibrant and nutritious dish, full of fresh ingredients and bursting with flavors. The star of the show is the homemade roasted garlic dressing, which adds a creamy and tangy touch to the dish. The bowl is packed with wholesome brown rice, lean chicken seasoned with warming spices, and a variety of colorful vegetables that not only look beautiful but also provide a wide range of nutrients.

Photos of Veggie-Packed Buddha Bowl Recipe

The ingredients for this Buddha Bowl recipe are mostly kitchen staples, such as chicken, brown rice, and various vegetables. However, one ingredient that you might not have on hand is turmeric. Turmeric is a golden-colored spice often used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. It has a warm, earthy flavor and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. You can usually find it in the spice aisle of the supermarket. Another ingredient to look out for is Dijon mustard, which has a smooth and slightly spicy flavor. It's typically located in the condiment aisle.

Ingredients for Veggie-Packed Buddha Bowl

Garlic: The base of our dressing. When roasted, it gets a mellow, sweet flavor.

Olive oil: Used in the dressing and for sautéing the chicken. It adds a rich and fruity note.

Lemon juice: Adds tanginess to the dressing.

Dijon mustard: Gives the dressing a kick and helps emulsify it.

Chicken breast: The lean protein in our Buddha Bowl. It's seasoned with spices and sautéed until firm.

Ground turmeric: A warm and earthy spice that gives the chicken a beautiful golden color.

Brown rice: A whole grain that serves as the base of the bowl. It's filling and rich in fiber.

Red cabbage: Adds crunch and a pop of color to the bowl.

Avocado: Provides creaminess and healthy fats.

Carrot: Brings a sweet note and a load of nutrients.

Cherry tomatoes: They're sweet, juicy, and full of antioxidants.

Green onion: Adds a fresh and slightly sharp flavor.

One reader, Jake Connor says:

This veggie-packed buddha bowl recipe is a game-changer! The roasted garlic dressing adds a burst of flavor, and the turmeric chicken is so tender and delicious. The combination of fresh veggies and brown rice makes it a wholesome and satisfying meal. I love how easy it is to customize with my favorite ingredients. Highly recommend!

Jake Connor

Techniques for Creating the Perfect Buddha Bowl

How to make roasted garlic dressing: Blend roasted garlic, salt, pepper, water, lemon juice, and mustard until smooth. Slowly add the roasted garlic-infused oil in a steady stream until the dressing is creamy and slightly thick. Set aside.

How to cook turmeric chicken: Season the chicken with turmeric, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Sauté in a skillet over medium-high heat until firm and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.

How to assemble the buddha bowl: Divide the rice between serving bowls. Top with shredded cabbage, sliced avocado, turmeric chicken, shredded carrots, halved cherry tomatoes, and green onions. Drizzle with roasted garlic dressing.

How To Make Veggie-Packed Buddha Bowl

Juicy chicken, crisp veggies, and tender rice makes up this delicious buddha bowl, that’s served with a rich roasted garlic dressing, for a flavorful meal!

Preparation: 20 minutes

Cooking: 40 minutes

Total: 1 hour

Serves:

Ingredients

For Roasted Garlic Dressing:

1garlic head
½cupolive oil
½tspsalt
½tsppepper
2tbspwater
2tbspfresh lemon juice
1tbspdijon mustard

For Buddha Bowl:

1lbchicken breast,cubed
1½tspground turmeric
½tsponion powder
½tspground cumin
1pinchsalt
1pinchblack pepper
1tbspolive oil
3cupsbrown rice,cooked
1cupred cabbage,shredded
1avocado,pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced
1cupcarrot,shredded
1cupcherry tomatoes,halved
¼cupgreen onion,thinly sliced

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Roasted Garlic Dressing:

Use a knife to slice off the top third of the head of garlic, just enough so that all of the cloves are exposed but the head remains intact.
Fill a small ovenproof saucepan with the olive oil and place the garlic bulb, cut side down, in the oil. Cover the pan with a lid and transfer to the oven.
Bake for 40 minutes, until the garlic has softened and is easily pierced with a paring knife. Let cool.
Once the garlic and oil have cooled enough to handle, squeeze the cloves out of the garlic skin into a blender.
Add the salt, pepper, water, lemon juice, and mustard to the blender. Puree until smooth.
With the blender still running, slowly add the oil from the saucepan in a steady stream. The dressing should be a creamy and slightly thick. Set aside.

Buddha Bowl:

In a medium bowl, season the chicken with turmeric, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pan and sauté for about 4 minutes until firm and cooked through. Remove the pan from the heat.
Divide the rice between 2 serving bowls. Top with shredded cabbage, sliced avocado, turmeric chicken, shredded carrots, halved cherry tomatoes, and green onions and drizzle with roasted garlic dressing.
Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 2236.48kcal
Fat: 105.16g
Saturated Fat: 18.25g
Trans Fat: 0.24g
Monounsaturated Fat: 65.91g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 15.75g
Carbohydrates: 251.60g
Fiber: 22.18g
Sugar: 8.69g
Protein: 75.27g
Cholesterol: 145.15mg
Sodium: 971.05mg
Calcium: 255.99mg
Potassium: 2496.60mg
Iron: 10.92mg
Vitamin A: 639.68µg
Vitamin C: 67.27mg

Key Technique for Assembling Your Buddha Bowl

When roasting the garlic for the dressing, be sure to keep an eye on it to prevent it from burning. Burnt garlic can give a bitter taste to the dressing. Also, when blending the dressing, add the oil slowly to ensure it emulsifies properly, creating a smooth and creamy texture. For the chicken, make sure it's thoroughly coated with the spices for maximum flavor. If you have time, let the chicken marinate in the spices for a few hours before cooking. This will allow the flavors to penetrate deeper into the meat.

Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Veggie-Packed Buddha Bowls

Prep ahead: Chop and prepare all the vegetables and ingredients in advance to save time during the cooking process.

One-pot cooking: Look for recipes that allow you to cook multiple components in one pot or pan to minimize cleanup and save time.

Batch cooking: Make larger quantities of certain components, such as grains or proteins, and store them for future use in various recipes.

Time-saving appliances: Utilize kitchen gadgets like a food processor or slow cooker to streamline the cooking process and save time.

Meal planning: Plan your meals for the week in advance, including this recipe, to streamline grocery shopping and meal preparation.

Substitute Ingredients For Veggie-Packed Buddha Bowl Recipe

roasted garlic - Substitute with roasted shallots: Roasted shallots have a similar sweet and mellow flavor to roasted garlic, and they can add a delicious depth to the dressing.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and high smoke point, making it a great alternative for roasting and dressing.
chicken breast - Substitute with tofu or tempeh: Tofu or tempeh can be marinated and cooked with the same spices to provide a plant-based protein option.
ground turmeric - Substitute with ground ginger: Ground ginger can provide a warm and slightly spicy flavor similar to turmeric, adding depth to the dish.
brown rice - Substitute with quinoa: Quinoa is a nutritious alternative that provides a similar nutty flavor and fluffy texture to brown rice.
red cabbage - Substitute with shredded kale: Shredded kale can offer a similar crunch and vibrant color, adding a nutritional boost to the buddha bowl.
avocado - Substitute with sliced cucumber: Sliced cucumber can provide a refreshing and crunchy element to the buddha bowl, similar to the creamy texture of avocado.
carrot - Substitute with julienned bell peppers: Julienned bell peppers can offer a sweet and crunchy alternative to carrots, adding color and flavor to the dish.
cherry tomatoes - Substitute with sliced radishes: Sliced radishes can provide a similar crisp texture and a slightly peppery flavor to the buddha bowl.
green onion - Substitute with chives: Chives can offer a mild onion flavor and a pop of color, similar to green onions, as a garnish for the buddha bowl.

Presenting Your Veggie-Packed Buddha Bowl

Elevate the plating: Arrange the components of the buddha bowl in an aesthetically pleasing manner, ensuring that each ingredient is visible and adds to the overall presentation.
Incorporate vibrant colors: Utilize a variety of colorful vegetables such as vibrant red cabbage, ripe avocado, and bright cherry tomatoes to create a visually appealing and appetizing dish.
Create visual balance: Arrange the different elements of the buddha bowl in a balanced and harmonious manner, ensuring that the presentation is visually appealing and inviting.
Utilize contrasting textures: Incorporate a variety of textures, such as creamy avocado, crunchy carrots, and tender chicken, to add depth and interest to the presentation.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Sprinkle the buddha bowl with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro to add a pop of color and a touch of freshness to the dish.
Use high-quality serving bowls: Present the veggie-packed buddha bowl in elegant, high-quality serving bowls that complement the vibrant colors of the ingredients.
Incorporate artistic drizzling: Drizzle the roasted garlic dressing in an artistic manner over the components of the buddha bowl, adding a touch of sophistication to the presentation.
Emphasize the focal point: Highlight the beautifully seasoned turmeric chicken as the focal point of the dish, drawing attention to its golden color and enticing aroma.
Add a touch of elegance with edible flowers: Consider garnishing the buddha bowl with delicate edible flowers, such as nasturtiums or pansies, to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the presentation.
Create a sense of abundance: Arrange the ingredients in a way that conveys abundance and generosity, creating an inviting and visually striking presentation.

Essential Tools for Making a Buddha Bowl

Oven: An appliance used for baking, roasting, and heating food.
Blender: A kitchen appliance used to blend, mix, and puree food and liquids.
Small ovenproof saucepan: A small saucepan that is safe to use in the oven, typically made of materials such as stainless steel or cast iron.
Large skillet: A wide, flat-bottomed pan used for frying, searing, and sautéing food.

Storing and Freezing Your Buddha Bowl Ingredients

Let the buddha bowl cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for up to 3-4 days.
To keep the avocado from turning brown, squeeze some lemon juice over it before storing.
Store the roasted garlic dressing in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
If you want to freeze the buddha bowl, it's best to freeze the components separately:
- Cook the brown rice and let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Freeze the turmeric chicken in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag for up to 2-3 months.
- The vegetables can be frozen as well, but they may lose some of their texture and flavor after being frozen and thawed. If you still want to freeze them, blanch them first in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain well and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
To reheat the frozen buddha bowl components, let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the rice and chicken in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat until heated through. The vegetables can be enjoyed cold or reheated in the microwave or in a skillet as well.
It's best to make the roasted garlic dressing fresh when you're ready to serve the buddha bowl, as it may not freeze well due to the olive oil and lemon juice.

Reheating Your Buddha Bowl Leftovers

Reheat the brown rice in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to restore its fluffy texture. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, or heat in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
For the turmeric chicken, reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through and slightly crispy on the edges. Alternatively, microwave the chicken in 30-second intervals until heated to your liking.
Refresh the red cabbage and carrots by quickly blanching them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then draining and running under cold water to stop the cooking process. This will help them regain their crunch and vibrant colors.
If your avocado has turned brown, simply scoop out the top layer to reveal the fresh, green flesh beneath. Slice the avocado just before serving to prevent further oxidation.
Cherry tomatoes can be left at room temperature or gently warmed in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to release their juices and enhance their flavor.
Thinly slice fresh green onions to garnish the reheated buddha bowl for a pop of color and added freshness.
Drizzle the leftover roasted garlic dressing over the warmed components of the buddha bowl. If the dressing has thickened in the refrigerator, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes or microwave it for 10-15 seconds to loosen it up.
Assemble the reheated components in your serving bowls, arranging them in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Serve the buddha bowls immediately while the ingredients are still warm and fresh.

Interesting Fact About Buddha Bowls

The roasted garlic dressing in this recipe is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes, adding a burst of flavor to your meals.

Is Making Veggie-Packed Buddha Bowls Cost-Effective?

This veggie-packed buddha bowl recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The use of affordable ingredients such as brown rice, cabbage, carrots, and cherry tomatoes makes it budget-friendly. The addition of chicken breast can be substituted with cheaper protein options like tofu or beans for a more economical choice. The estimated cost for a household of 4 people is approximately $20, making it a reasonable option for a nutritious and satisfying meal. Overall, this recipe earns a solid 8 for its balance of cost and nutrition.

Is This Buddha Bowl Recipe Healthy?

This veggie-packed buddha bowl recipe is a nutritious and well-balanced meal. The inclusion of brown rice provides complex carbohydrates and fiber, while the chicken breast offers lean protein. The variety of vegetables, such as red cabbage, avocado, carrots, and cherry tomatoes, contribute essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The roasted garlic dressing adds flavor without relying on excessive amounts of unhealthy fats or sugars.

To further enhance the healthiness of this recipe, consider the following suggestions:

Increase the portion of vegetables to make them the main focus of the bowl
Add more leafy greens, such as spinach or kale, to boost the nutrient content
Swap the chicken for a plant-based protein source, like tofu or chickpeas, to create a vegan-friendly option
Reduce the amount of oil used in the dressing by replacing some of it with water or vegetable broth
Incorporate a fermented food, such as kimchi or sauerkraut, to promote gut health
Sprinkle some nuts or seeds, like almonds or pumpkin seeds, for added healthy fats and crunch
Experiment with different whole grains, such as quinoa or farro, to vary the texture and nutrient profile of the dish

Editor's Opinion on This Veggie-Packed Buddha Bowl Recipe

This veggie-packed Buddha bowl recipe is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The roasted garlic dressing adds a rich and creamy element, complementing the turmeric-spiced chicken and the assortment of fresh vegetables. The use of brown rice as a base provides a hearty and wholesome foundation for the dish. Overall, this recipe offers a well-balanced and nutritious meal that is both satisfying and delicious.

Enhance Your Veggie-Packed Buddha Bowl Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Zest: Tender asparagus spears grilled to perfection and topped with a zesty lemon zest for a burst of freshness.

Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, these roasted sweet potato wedges are seasoned with a blend of savory spices for the perfect side dish.

Fruit Salad with Citrus Honey Dressing: A refreshing mix of seasonal fruits tossed in a light and tangy citrus honey dressing for a sweet and juicy side dish option.

Delicious Alternatives to the Classic Buddha Bowl

Hearty Beef Stew: This hearty beef stew is perfect for a cozy night in. Packed with tender beef, carrots, and potatoes, it's a comforting and satisfying meal.

Mouthwatering Fruit Salad: This mouthwatering fruit salad is a refreshing and healthy option for a light meal or snack. With a mix of fresh fruits and a tangy citrus dressing, it's a burst of flavor in every bite.

Creamy Chicken Alfredo: Indulge in this creamy chicken alfredo pasta for a decadent and comforting dinner. The rich and velvety sauce pairs perfectly with tender chicken and al dente pasta.

Appetizers and Desserts to Complement Your Buddha Bowl

Appetizers:

Savory Stuffed Mushrooms: Create a delectable appetizer by stuffing mushrooms with a flavorful mixture of herbs, cheese, and breadcrumbs. Bake until golden and serve hot for a crowd-pleasing starter.

Crispy Zucchini Fritters: Whip up a batch of crispy zucchini fritters for a light and tasty appetizer. Serve with a side of tangy dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

Desserts:

Decadent Chocolate Cake: Indulge in a rich and moist chocolate cake, layered with creamy ganache and topped with chocolate shavings. This dessert is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth and impressing your guests.

Tangy Lemon Tart: Savor the zesty and refreshing flavors of a tangy lemon tart, with a buttery crust and a smooth, citrusy filling. This dessert is a delightful way to end any meal and is sure to brighten up your day.

Why trust this Veggie-Packed Buddha Bowl Recipe:

This recipe offers a delicious and nutritious meal that is packed with wholesome ingredients. The roasted garlic dressing adds a burst of flavor, while the turmeric-seasoned chicken provides a satisfying protein source. The use of brown rice and a colorful array of vegetables ensures a well-balanced and wholesome dish. The inclusion of avocado adds a creamy texture, and the fresh lemon juice in the dressing provides a zesty kick. With the careful selection of ingredients and the flavorful combination, this recipe is a trustworthy choice for a nourishing and satisfying meal.

Share your thoughts and experiences with this delicious and nutritious Veggie-Packed Buddha Bowl Recipe in the Healthy Eating forum section. Let's discuss your favorite ingredient combinations and any creative twists you've tried!

FAQ:

What can I use as a substitute for chicken in this recipe?

You can easily substitute the chicken with tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas for a vegetarian option. You can also use grilled shrimp or salmon for a seafood twist.

Can I make the roasted garlic dressing in advance?

Yes, you can make the roasted garlic dressing in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just give it a good shake or stir before using it.

Can I use white rice instead of brown rice?

Absolutely! You can use white rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice as a base for your buddha bowl. Feel free to customize it to your preference.

How can I make this recipe vegan?

To make this recipe vegan, simply omit the chicken and use a plant-based protein such as marinated tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas. You can also use a vegan-friendly alternative for the roasted garlic dressing.

Can I add other vegetables to the buddha bowl?

Of course! You can customize your buddha bowl with any vegetables you like. Consider adding roasted sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli, sautéed kale, or any other veggies you enjoy. The beauty of a buddha bowl is its versatility, so feel free to get creative with it!