Thai Chicken Buddha Bowls

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Thai Chicken Buddha Bowls - Packed with whole grains, fresh veggies, and a crave-worthy peanut sauce — so healthy, hearty and full of flavor!

Packed with whole grains, fresh veggies, and a crave-worthy peanut sauce — so healthy, hearty and full of flavor!

Thai Chicken Buddha Bowls - Packed with whole grains, fresh veggies, and a crave-worthy peanut sauce — so healthy, hearty and full of flavor!

why i love this recipe

  • Great for meal prep. Buddha bowls is a nutritious recipe where you can conveniently meal prep and assemble everything ahead of time to get you through the week.
  • So customizable. This recipe is a great starting point, and you can easily substitute your favorite grains, protein and veggies to what you have on hand, and based on seasonality + personal preference.

what exactly is a buddha bowl

Buddha bowls, sometimes referred to as glory or hippie bowls, are hearty, filling dishes made of various greens, raw or roasted veggies, beans and a healthy grain like quinoa or brown rice. It’s essentially a hearty bowl filled with nutrients and vitamins that aid in weight loss and/or overall health.

Thai Chicken Buddha Bowls - Packed with whole grains, fresh veggies, and a crave-worthy peanut sauce — so healthy, hearty and full of flavor!

power ingredients for thai chicken buddha bowl

  • Whole grains. Farro is a far superior whole grain with more protein and fiber than other grains such as brown rice or white rice.
  • Protein. Chicken thighs (or breasts) get cooked in a saucy, umami-garlicky-gingery mixture until perfectly golden brown, adding protein and bulk to your buddha bowl.
  • Vegetables. We have leafy greens, purple cabbage, bean sprouts and carrots, a rainbow of veggies here – the more colors we have, the more nutrients we are getting.
  • Bonus sauce. This recipe includes the dreamiest peanut sauce that you’ll want to put on anything and everything.

buddha bowl variations

Grains

Farro, quinoa, couscous, brown rice, white rice or even cauliflower rice can be used.

Protein

Use chicken breast or thighs, chicken or turkey meatballs, or substitute tofu, tempeh or hard boiled eggs for a vegetarian option.

Vegetables

Mix up the veggies and swap in different options such as butternut squash, sweet potato, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, green beans and snap peas.

Leafy greens

This is a great opportunity to sneak in some leafy greens for those picky eaters. Spinach, kale, collard greens, swiss chard or arugula are all great options.

Fruits

There are also many fruit options available for a sweeter touch such as strawberries, blueberries, oranges and apples.

Thai Chicken Buddha Bowls - Packed with whole grains, fresh veggies, and a crave-worthy peanut sauce — so healthy, hearty and full of flavor!

tips and tricks for success

  • Make ahead of time. Save time by prepping the farro, chicken and peanut sauce 1-2 days in advance, and dicing the vegetables 1-2 days prior and storing all the contents in separate airtight containers in the fridge.
  • Fish sauce is a hero. Fish sauce is a key ingredient here, balancing out the flavors, and adding saltiness and umami without overpowering it. A little bit goes a long way.
  • Make it mild. Need a toned-down peanut sauce for the littles? Skip the sambal oelek!
  • Add the sauce right before serving. Drizzle the peanut sauce prior to serving to preserve the texture and prevent sogginess.
Thai Chicken Buddha Bowls - Packed with whole grains, fresh veggies, and a crave-worthy peanut sauce — so healthy, hearty and full of flavor!

Tools For This Recipe

Large cast iron skillet

Thai Chicken Buddha Bowls: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken breasts can absolutely be used here but chicken thighs have more dark meat and a higher fat content which will yield juicier, more flavorful chicken.

What does fish sauce taste like?

Fish sauce has a strong, pungent “fishy” smell but when cooked, it brings in savory, salty, umami goodness.

What is sambal oelek?

Sambal oelek is a type of chili paste from Indonesia, and can be found in most grocery store chains in the Asian foods section.

How can I store leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Thai Chicken Buddha Bowls

Packed with whole grains, fresh veggies, and a crave-worthy peanut sauce — so healthy, hearty and full of flavor!
4.9 stars (42 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup farro
  • ¼ cup chicken stock
  • 1 ½ tablespoons sambal oelek, ground fresh chile paste
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups shredded kale
  • 1 ½ cups shredded purple cabbage
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 2 carrots, peeled and grated
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • ¼ cup roasted peanuts

For the spicy peanut sauce

  • 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons sambal oelek, ground fresh chile paste

Instructions

  • To make the spicy peanut sauce, whisk together peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, sambal oelek and 2-3 tablespoons water in a small bowl; set aside.
  • Cook farro according to package instructions; set aside.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together chicken stock, sambal oelek, brown sugar and lime juice; set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine chicken, cornstarch and fish sauce, tossing to coat and letting the chicken absorb the cornstarch.
  • Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until golden, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic, shallot and ginger, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock mixture until slightly thickened, about 1 minute; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Divide farro into bowls. Top with chicken, kale, cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, cilantro and peanuts.
  • Serve with spicy peanut sauce.

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