Description
Craving a colorful, healthy dish that’s bursting with flavor? These Glow Bowls are your perfect choice! Featuring grilled chipotle-marinated chicken thighs, charred sweet corn, quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrot, red bell pepper, and fresh herbs, all tossed with a zesty curry vinaigrette and served over greens, this dish is a delightful mix of smoky, tangy, and fresh flavors.
Ingredients
Glow Bowls
- Quinoa (2 cups cooked, from 2/3 cup dry): Provides a nutty, protein-packed base.
- Chicken Thighs (1 lb, or thinly pounded chicken breast): Offer juicy, flavorful protein.
- Sweet Corn (2 ears, husked): Adds charred, sweet crunch.
- Cherry Tomatoes (8 oz, halved or quartered): Bring juicy, tangy flavor.
- Carrot (1 large, grated or thinly sliced): Provides sweet crunch.
- Cucumber (1 large, grated or thinly sliced): Adds refreshing crispness.
- Red Bell Pepper (1, deseeded and diced): Offers sweet, vibrant crunch.
- Fresh Herbs (¾ cup packed, e.g., basil, cilantro, mint, finely chopped): Infuse aromatic freshness.
- Chives or Green Onions (1 Tbsp, finely chopped): Add mild oniony flavor.
- Spring Greens (5.5 oz, e.g., arugula or baby kale): Provide a fresh, peppery base.
Curry Vinaigrette/Marinade
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (½ cup): Forms a rich dressing base.
- Lemon (1, zested and juiced): Adds bright, tangy flavor.
- Garlic (3 cloves, finely chopped or grated): Brings savory depth.
- Curry Powder (2 Tbsp): Offers warm, spicy complexity.
- Apple Cider Vinegar (1 Tbsp): Provides tangy acidity.
- Honey (1 Tbsp, or maple syrup/agave nectar): Adds subtle sweetness.
- Red Chili Flakes or Cayenne Pepper (optional, pinch): Boosts heat.
- Kosher Salt (1 tsp, omit if curry powder is salted): Balances flavors.
Substitutions and Variations
- Quinoa: Swap with cauliflower rice for keto or farro for a heartier grain.
- Chicken: Use shrimp, tofu, or mushrooms for vegan (grill shrimp 2–3 minutes per side, tofu 3–4 minutes per side).
- Corn: Use frozen or canned corn (drained) or omit for keto.
- Honey: Swap with sugar-free sweetener for keto (~2–3g net carbs per serving).
- Greens: Replace with spinach, romaine, or lettuce wraps for keto.
- Keto Adjustment: Omit quinoa, corn, and honey; use cauliflower rice and sugar-free sweetener (~2–3g net carbs per serving).
- Gluten-Free Version: Naturally gluten-free; ensure curry powder and vinegar are gluten-free.
- Vegan Version: Swap chicken with tofu or mushrooms and use maple syrup or agave.
- Spicy Version: Add extra chili flakes or a sliced jalapeño to the vinaigrette.
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Quinoa
- In a medium saucepan, combine 2/3 cup dry quinoa with 1 1/3 cups water or stock and a pinch of salt.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat (uncovered), then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat, let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Set aside or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Tip: Rinse quinoa before cooking to remove bitterness; use stock for extra flavor.
Step 2: Prep the Vegetables
- Husk 2 ears of sweet corn.
- Halve or quarter 8 oz cherry tomatoes.
- Grate or thinly slice 1 large carrot and 1 large cucumber.
- Dice 1 red bell pepper.
- Finely chop ¾ cup mixed herbs (basil, cilantro, mint) and 1 Tbsp chives or green onions.
- Store prepped veggies in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days if making ahead.
Tip: Use a mandoline for thin, uniform veggie slices; prep herbs fresh to maintain flavor.
Step 3: Make the Curry Vinaigrette/Marinade
- In a medium bowl or jar, combine ½ cup olive oil, zest and juice of 1 lemon, 3 finely chopped garlic cloves, 2 Tbsp curry powder, 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 Tbsp honey, optional pinch of chili flakes, and 1 tsp kosher salt (omit if curry powder is salted).
- Whisk or shake to combine. Set aside or refrigerate for up to 1 week (shake before use).
Tip: Taste vinaigrette and adjust salt or lemon juice; use half for marinade and half for dressing.
Step 4: Marinate the Chicken
- Place 1 lb chicken thighs in a medium bowl or container.
- Pour half the curry vinaigrette over the chicken and toss to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate for 12–48 hours.
Tip: Marinate longer for deeper flavor; pat chicken dry before grilling to avoid sticking.
Step 5: Grill the Chicken and Corn
- Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (400°F/200°C).
- Brush corn with oil or spritz with cooking spray; season with salt and black pepper.
- Grill chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until cooked through (165°F internally).
- Grill corn for 3–4 minutes per side until charred.
- Remove from grill, let chicken rest for 5 minutes, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Slice corn kernels off the cob.
Tip: Oil grill grates to prevent sticking; rest chicken to retain juices.
Step 6: Assemble the Glow Bowls
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups cooked quinoa, grilled chicken, grilled corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, carrot, cucumber, red bell pepper, and chopped herbs.
- Pour remaining curry vinaigrette over the mixture and toss to coat.
- Taste and season with additional salt or black pepper as needed.
- Add a handful of 5.5 oz spring greens to serving bowls, top with quinoa mixture, and drizzle with any remaining vinaigrette.
- Garnish with extra herbs if desired.
Tip: Toss gently to keep veggies crisp; arrange greens in bowls for a vibrant base.
Step 7: Serve
- Serve immediately for the freshest flavors.
Tip: Offer extra vinaigrette and herbs on the side for customization; serve at room temperature for a summery vibe.