Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowls
With carrot ribbons, diced celery, fresh cilantro, and crispy air fryer buffalo chicken tenders, these dietitian approved buffalo chicken rice bowls are topped with a flavorful cilantro avocado yogurt dressing and are the perfect weeknight meal!
When my husband and I go out to eat for dinner, any menu item that includes crispy buffalo chicken is a menu item that I’m immediately drawn to.
Generally, a buffalo chicken recipe includes carrots, celery, some herbs, and even crumbled blue cheese depending on the recipe. I wanted to take all of these typical ingredients that you find out at a restaurant and turn them into a dietitian approved buffalo chicken rice bowl!
This buffalo chicken rice bowl is a healthy meal that is loaded with veggies, packed with protein, and served over a bed of any rice of your choice. With carbs, protein, and color, its a perfectly balanced meal that is full of nutrition, flavor, and the players that you love to see paired with buffalo chicken!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
You’ll absolutely love these buffalo chicken rice bowls because they are:
Easy to make: The hardest part of this recipe is prepping the chicken tenders… everything else just requires some chopping. If you want to make this recipe even easier, skip prepping the chicken tenders and use pre-cooked chicken or frozen chicken tenders instead!
Loaded with veggies: Each bowl is packed with sliced carrots, celery, and avocados for a fun way to serve up some veggies with your dinner.
Topped with a healthy cilantro avocado yogurt dressing: I recommend topping this bowl with my cilantro avocado yogurt dip (thinned with some milk) or using a store-bought cilantro avocado dressing. You could also use regular ranch!
Customizable: Switch up your dressing, change your rice, or swap your veggies to make this bowl exactly how you like it.
Meal prep friendly: You can prep these bowls ahead of time for a healthy meal prep. Then, add your dressing when you are ready to enjoy.
You’re going to love this recipe!
Cilantro Avocado Yogurt Dip
Add a splash of milk to this recipe for a flavor filled, healthy yogurt dressing for your buffalo chicken rice bowl.
Ingredients:
Here are the ingredients you will need:
For the chicken tenders:
Chicken tenders: I bought pre-sliced chicken tenders from the store but you could also slice chicken breasts into thin chicken tenders as well.
Corn flakes: This adds a crunchy texture to the chicken tenders. Be sure to finely mash your corn flakes. The finer you smash the corn flakes, the better they will stick to your chicken.
Paprika: Optional
Eggs: This will bind the corn flakes to the chicken.
Buffalo sauce: we will add this after we have air fried the chicken tenders.
For the rice bowls:
Rice: I used white rice but you could serve this over brown rice or quinoa as well.
Carrots: diced or sliced into carrot ribbons.
Celery: finely diced
Cilantro
Avocado
Dressing of choice: I recommend using a cilantro avocado yogurt dressing but you could also enjoy this recipe with classic ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing.
The process:
This recipe will really be prepped in two stages, the air fryer chicken tenders and then simply assembling your rice bowls. Here’s how to make your buffalo chicken rice bowls:
Make your chicken tenders:
Finely smash your corn flakes until they are almost a powder. Add them to a bowl and crack and whisk your two eggs with the paprika into another bowl. Dip your chicken tenders into the egg mix, then roll them in the corn flake mixture until well coated.
Note: You may need to press the corn flakes on with your hands or a spatula to make sure it sticks well.
Spray your air fryer bin with spray and add your chicken tenders, being careful not to overlap them too much. If you have large chicken tenders, you may need to air fry them in two batches. Lightly spray your chicken tenders with with avocado oil.
Air fry at 375 for 10 minutes or until they have reached an internal temperature of 165, flipping your chicken tenders and spraying again with avocado oil spray at the 5 minute mark.
Add your buffalo sauce to a bowl and toss your cooked chicken tenders in the sauce until coated.
Arrange your bowl:
Cook your rice according to package instructions and add to two bowl.
Chop your veggies, cilantro, and avocado then place them on your rice.
Add your buffalo chicken tenders and top your bowl with your dressing of choice. Enjoy!
Arrange your bowl
Cook your rice, chop your veggies, and add them to a bowl. Top with the buffalo chicken and your dressing of choice. Enjoy!
LTN Note: Save yourself time by using pre-cooked chicken or frozen chicken tenders.
Swaps & Substitutions:
There are plenty of ways to serve this recipe exactly the way you like it including:
Use pre-cooked chicken: rotisserie chicken tossed in buffalo sauce or cooked frozen chicken tenders would save you time on this recipe.
Choose your favorite buffalo sauce: I used Franks Red Hot Buffalo sauce but you could use any brand you prefer.
Add cheese: crumbled feta or blue cheese would be delicious on this bowl.
Swap out your veggies: I stuck to the classic celery and carrot mixture that is often served with buffalo chicken but you could use any veggies you have on hand.
Change your dressing: This buffalo chicken rice bowl is served with a cilantro avocado dressing but you could use ranch, blue cheese, or any other creamy dressing your prefer.
Change your base: I served this bowl over a bed of white rice but you could also do whole wheat noodles, brown rice, or quinoa.
Recipe FAQ:
Is these gluten free air fryer chicken tenders?
Yes, these are gluten free chicken tenders! They are coated in corn flakes which have many certified gluten free brands for you to choose from. Corn itself is gluten free, but it is always good to double check that the corn flakes you are buying are also gluten free.
How can I reheat this recipe?
The microwave is probably the easiest way to reheat this buffalo chicken rice bowl.
How long will the leftovers stay good?
Per the USDA, you can refrigerate the leftovers for 3 to 4 days and enjoy throughout the week. As always, you should also use your best judgment when assessing leftovers!
Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowls
Ingredients
Instructions
- Finely crush your corn flakes and add to a bowl. In another bowl, whisk your two eggs together with your paprika.
- Dip your chicken tenders in the egg mixture then the corn flakes until thoroughly coated. You may need to press the corn flakes to the chicken to ensure they stick.
- Spray your air fryer bin with avocado oil spray, add your chicken tenders, and lightly spray them with avocado oil spray. Air fryer at 375 for 10 minutes, flipping the chicken tenders and spraying them again after 5 minutes. Your chicken tenders should reach an internal temperature of 165.
- Once they are finished cooking, toss your chicken tenders in your buffalo sauce until well coated.
- Cook your rice according to package instructions and add to two bowls.
- Chop your veggies, cilantro, and avocado and add to your two rice bowls.
- Top your rice bowls with 2-3 buffalo chicken tenders and add your dressing. Enjoy!
*These blogs may contain affiliate links. Any purchase made through my links gives me a small commission and supports Lauren Twigge Nutrition
Hey! I’m Lauren
I’m a Registered Dietitian and busy toddler mom committed to bringing you delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-make recipes!