Rice Bowl with Crispy Chicken, Spinach & Dijon Vinaigrette
Sometimes the best meals are the ones you put together without overthinking them.
This Rice Bowl with Crispy Chicken, Spinach, Toasted Almonds and Dijon Vinaigrette is exactly that kind of recipe. It is simple, satisfying, full of different textures, and incredibly easy to make.
You get warm rice cooked with onion, fresh spinach, crispy pieces of chicken, crunchy toasted almonds, and a tangy Dijon vinaigrette that brings everything together.
And honestly, the dressing is what makes this bowl special.
Why I Love This Bowl
There is something about combining warm and fresh ingredients in the same bowl that I love. The soft rice and crispy chicken contrast beautifully with the fresh spinach and crunchy almonds.
Then comes the Dijon vinaigrette: slightly tangy, slightly sweet, and full of flavor from the extra-virgin olive oil and mustard.
It is the kind of dressing that makes you want to put it on everything.
This bowl is also incredibly versatile. You can make the chicken from scratch and bread it yourself, or, if you want to make dinner even easier, there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a shortcut.
The Easy Chicken Shortcut
Here is my little secret for a busy day: use ready-made chicken nuggets.
Yes, chicken nuggets!
Cut them into smaller pieces and pop them into the air fryer until they are hot and beautifully crispy. They work surprisingly well in this bowl and make the recipe much faster.
Sometimes cooking at home is about making everything from scratch. And sometimes it is about knowing which shortcuts still give you a delicious meal.
No judgment here.
The Dijon Vinaigrette
Do not skip the vinaigrette.
The combination of Dijon mustard, vinegar, honey and extra-virgin olive oil creates a dressing that is bright, tangy and just slightly sweet.
It cuts through the richness of the crispy chicken and gives the spinach and rice so much more flavor.
I like to whisk everything together in a small bowl and taste it before serving. You can adjust the vinegar, honey, salt or pepper depending on how you like your dressing.
How to Build the Perfect Bowl
Start with the onion rice as your base. The rice absorbs all the flavor from the sautéed onion while it cooks, making it much more interesting than plain rice.
Add a generous handful of fresh spinach.
Then comes the crispy chicken.
Finish with toasted almonds for that wonderful crunch and drizzle everything with the Dijon vinaigrette.
And there you have it.
A simple bowl that somehow feels like much more.
Are You Ready to Try It?
This is one of those recipes you can make your own. Add more spinach, change the nuts, make the chicken from scratch, or take the easy nugget shortcut.
The important thing is the combination: warm rice, crispy chicken, fresh greens, crunchy almonds and that delicious Dijon dressing.
So, are you going to make it?
I dare you.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: Approximately 950 calories per serving, depending on the chicken, breadcrumbs and amount of oil used.
Serve it for lunch, dinner, or whenever you are craving something comforting, crunchy and fresh at the same time.
View Recipe
Rice Bowl with Crispy Chicken, Spinach & Dijon Vinaigrette
Course: DinnerCuisine: MediterraneanDifficulty: Easy2
servings30
minutes30
minutes950
kcalRice bowl with onion, crispy breaded chicken, fresh spinach, toasted almonds, and a delicious Dijon mustard vinaigrette. An easy, flavorful and satisfying recipe, perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
For the rice
1 cup rice
1 small onion
2 cups water
Salt
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oilFor the chicken and salad
1 chicken breast
2 cups fresh spinach
¼ cup toasted almonds, roughly chopped
Flour, for coating
1 egg
Breadcrumbs
Salt and black pepper
Olive oil, for cookingFor the Dijon vinaigrette
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 tsp honey
Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
- Cook the onion rice
Finely chop the onion. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and sauté the onion over medium heat until soft and lightly golden.
Add the rice and stir for about 1 minute, allowing it to absorb the flavor of the onion. Add the water and a pinch of salt. Cook until the rice is tender and the water has been absorbed. Remove from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. - Prepare the crispy chicken
Cut the chicken breast into small bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and black pepper.
Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with the beaten egg, and one with breadcrumbs. Coat each piece of chicken in flour, then egg, and finally breadcrumbs.
Heat a little olive oil in a pan and cook the chicken until golden and crispy on the outside and fully cooked inside. You can also prepare the chicken in an air fryer. - Make the Dijon vinaigrette
In a small bowl, combine the Dijon mustard, vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and well combined. - Toast the almonds
If the almonds are not already toasted, place them in a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Toast for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly golden. Let them cool slightly and roughly chop them. - Assemble the bowl
Divide the onion rice between two bowls. Add the fresh spinach and arrange the crispy chicken pieces on top.
Sprinkle with the toasted almonds and drizzle generously with the Dijon vinaigrette just before serving.
Serve immediately and enjoy the contrast between the warm rice and crispy chicken, fresh spinach, crunchy almonds, and tangy Dijon dressing.
Notes
- To make this recipe even easier, you can use your favorite ready-made chicken nuggets. Simply cut them into bite-sized pieces and cook them in the air fryer until hot and crispy. Then add them to the bowl with the rice, spinach, toasted almonds, and Dijon vinaigrette.
