Name: Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Veggies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 37 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized chunks; 1/3 cup buffalo sauce (like Frank’s RedHot) + 1 tablespoon; 1 teaspoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 2 cups cooked white or brown rice; 2 celery ribs, thinly sliced; 1 roma tomato, chopped; 1/4 cup shredded carrots; 1/2 avocado, sliced; 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles; 1/4 cup green onions, chopped; Ranch dressing for drizzling

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 4 reviews

If you’re craving something that hits all the right notes—spicy, creamy, fresh, and filling—then you’re in for a treat with this Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Veggies Recipe. It’s downright fan-freaking-tastic and perfect for a quick dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavor or nutrition. Plus, it’s super customizable to match whatever you have in your fridge. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through how to get this spicy, tangy bowl on your table with ease!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Meal Prep: Marinate the chicken ahead, and dinner almost cooks itself once you fire up the air fryer.
Balanced Flavors & Textures: Spicy buffalo sauce pairs beautifully with fresh veggies and creamy avocado—so satisfying!
Customizable to Your Taste: Whether you’re all about that blue cheese punch or prefer a milder cheddar swap, this bowl flexes easily.
Perfect for Any Diet: With easy swaps like cauliflower rice, you can go low carb or gluten-free without losing any flavor.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Veggies Recipe has a role to play in building layers of flavor and texture. From the tender chicken perfectly coated in spicy buffalo sauce to the crunchy celery and smooth avocado, these components come together for a harmonious bite every time. When shopping, look for fresh veggies and choose a buffalo sauce that packs the heat you love.

Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Veggies, spicy chicken bowls, healthy chicken dinner, easy dinner recipes, customizable chicken bowls - Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breast chunks, a small white bowl of vibrant orange buffalo sauce, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a small white bowl of fine garlic powder, a small white bowl of coarse salt, a small white bowl of cracked black peppercorns, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, thinly sliced celery ribs, a chopped ripe roma tomato, a small white bowl of shredded bright orange carrots, a halved avocado with fresh green flesh, a small white bowl of crumbly blue cheese, a small white bowl of chopped green onions, a small white bowl of creamy ranch dressing, two small white bowls of cooked fluffy white rice placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Using boneless skinless pieces ensures quick cooking and easy tossing with sauce.
Buffalo sauce: Frank’s RedHot is a classic for a tangy, spicy punch, but feel free to pick your favorite brand or homemade blend.
Olive oil: Helps the chicken cook evenly and adds a subtle richness.
Garlic powder: A little umami boost that complements the buffalo flavor perfectly.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings for bringing everything to life.
Rice (white or brown): Your base—choose what you prefer, or swap for cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
Celery ribs: Thinly sliced for crunch and a refreshing counterpoint to the spicy chicken.
Roma tomato: Adds juiciness and bright acidity.
Shredded carrots: Sweetness and extra texture that feel fresh.
Avocado: Creamy slices cool down the heat and enrich the bowl.
Blue cheese crumbles: Classic with buffalo chicken—salty, tangy, and creamy. Swap with feta or cheddar if you’re not a fan.
Green onions: Fresh zing and color pop.
Ranch dressing: The perfect drizzle to tie all the flavors together and add a cooling touch.

Note:
Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Veggies Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I love switching up the veggies depending on the season or what’s in my fridge, and sometimes I even add a little crunch with toasted nuts. Feel free to play around—you might find a new favorite combo!

Buffalo Sauce Heat Level: I usually add a little extra buffalo sauce after cooking because I like that fiery kick—if you’re more mild-mannered, go easy on the sauce at first and taste as you go.
Grain Swap: Sometimes I use quinoa or farro instead of rice for a nuttier texture and extra fiber.
Veggie Variations: Bell peppers, cucumbers, or even pickled onions add delicious twists when I’m feeling adventurous.
Dressing Options: Ranch is my go-to, but blue cheese or even a cool yogurt-based dressing can be fantastic.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Veggies Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Veggies, spicy chicken bowls, healthy chicken dinner, easy dinner recipes, customizable chicken bowls - A black frying pan holds several small, unevenly shaped pieces of cooked food with a rich brown color and a slightly shiny surface, showing they are coated with sauce or oil. The pan’s base is lightly coated with cooked-on sauce drips and bits, giving a textured appearance. This pan rests on a white marbled surface, emphasizing the dark pan and golden brown cooked pieces inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken for Maximum Flavor

I always start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized chunks—this helps the buffalo sauce cling to every piece, making each bite ridiculously flavorful. Toss the chicken in buffalo sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then cover it and pop it in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. Sometimes I even let it go longer if I’m prepping ahead, and honestly, it just gets better with time.

Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken to Crispy Perfection

Preheating your air fryer to 400°F is key—it makes the outside of the chicken lightly crisp while keeping the inside juicy. Spread those buffalo-coated chicken chunks out in a single layer, and cook for about 10-12 minutes until they reach 165°F internally. I like to check once around 8 minutes to give things a quick shake, so everything cooks evenly and nothing sticks. It’s a game changer.

Step 3: Give It One Last Toss in Buffalo Sauce

Once the chicken is cooked through, transferring it back to a bowl to toss with an extra tablespoon of buffalo sauce really amps up the flavor. This step is optional, but I swear by it. If you want to go lighter, you can skip or reduce this, but if you’re like me and love bold buffalo chicken, don’t be shy!

Step 4: Assemble Your Bowl Like a Pro

Divide your cooked rice between bowls as the base—this helps soak up all the amazing buffalo flavor. Next, add in the veggie toppings: crunchy celery, juicy roma tomatoes, shredded carrots, and those lovely creamy avocado slices. Top everything with the buffalo chicken, then sprinkle on blue cheese crumbles and chopped green onions. Finish it off with a drizzle of ranch dressing, and you’re ready to dig in!

Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Veggies Recipe

Even Cooking Matters: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; give the chicken space to crisp up perfectly.
Marinate Longer for More Flavor: I’ve found that letting the chicken soak for 1-2 hours makes a huge difference, but even 15 minutes is better than nothing.
Adjust Spice Like a Chef: Add buffalo sauce in stages to control heat level instead of drowning the chicken all at once.
Don’t Skip the Fresh Veggies: Their crunch and brightness balance the richness and heat, making the bowl a complete, satisfying meal.

How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Veggies Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Veggies, spicy chicken bowls, healthy chicken dinner, easy dinner recipes, customizable chicken bowls - This image shows a white bowl with five layers of food from bottom to top. The bottom layer is white rice. On top, there are chopped celery pieces in a bright green color. Next to the celery, there are shredded orange carrots. Beside the carrots, sliced avocado pieces in light green are visible. Next to the avocado, there are bright red chunks of tomatoes. In the middle of the bowl, there are several pieces of orange-colored cooked chicken seasoned with spices. All over the bowl, there are small white crumbles of cheese and chopped green onions sprinkled evenly. A white creamy sauce is drizzled over the chicken and some vegetables. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with green onions and celery stalks in the background, and a small white bowl with cheese crumbles nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for green onions and blue cheese crumbles on top—those finishing touches bring something special to the bowl. Sometimes I also add a bit of fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime to brighten everything up. A light drizzle of ranch dressing rounds it all off, cooling the spice in the best way.

Side Dishes

I like to keep this meal pretty complete on its own, but if I’m serving guests or want some extra veggies, I’ll throw together a crisp green salad or roasted sweet potato wedges on the side. A cold beer or sparkling water with a splash of lime also pairs beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party or family dinner, I’ve laid out the bases, toppings, and dressings buffet-style so everyone assembles their own buffalo chicken bowls with veggies recipe exactly how they like. It’s fun, interactive, and ensures no one feels left out—plus, it’s a colorful spread that looks amazing on the table!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover chicken and veggies separately from the rice in airtight containers in the fridge. This helps keep the avocado fresh and the rice from getting soggy. Leftovers make for an excellent next-day lunch or quick dinner.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the cooked buffalo chicken before (without the fresh veggies) with good results. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently. I don’t recommend freezing the bowls fully assembled though, since the fresh veggies and avocado won’t hold up well.

Reheating

To keep the chicken juicy, I reheat it in the air fryer or oven at a low temperature instead of the microwave. The rice warms up nicely on the stovetop with a tiny splash of water or in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.

FAQs

Can I make Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Veggies Recipe without an air fryer?

Absolutely! If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the chicken in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) on a lined baking sheet for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until fully cooked and slightly crisp.
What can I use instead of blue cheese?

If blue cheese isn’t your thing, feta or shredded cheddar cheese are great alternatives that still provide that creamy, tangy contrast without the strong pungency of blue cheese.
Can I make this recipe low carb or keto-friendly?

Definitely! Swap the rice for cauliflower rice or even spiralized zucchini noodles. The rest of the ingredients fit beautifully into a low carb or keto lifestyle.
How spicy is this Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Veggies Recipe?

The spice level depends on your buffalo sauce and how much extra you add after cooking. The recipe is flexible, so you can dial back the heat for milder taste or up it for a fiery kick.

Final Thoughts

This Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Veggies Recipe has become one of those meals I reach for when I want something quick but still exciting. Its mix of spicy, fresh, and creamy flavors hits the perfect balance every time, plus it always leaves me feeling satisfied without being heavy. Next time you’re stumped about what to make for dinner, give this a try—I promise you’ll be hooked. Cooking it feels like sharing a little bowl of comfort and fun with yourself, and honestly, that’s exactly the kind of recipe worth keeping close.