Start your day with a satisfying and incredibly delicious breakfast bowl packed with protein to keep you feeling full and energized. This bowl is a celebration of vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, making your mornings brighter and more delicious.
Imagine a perfectly balanced bowl, brimming with hearty grains, tender protein, and a medley of fresh, bright vegetables, all brought together by a delightful dressing.
Recipe Details
- Flavor profile: Savory and fresh with a hint of tanginess from the lemon dressing.
- Textures: A delightful mix of fluffy grains, tender chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, and creamy avocado.
- Total active time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
What You’ll Need
This breakfast bowl is built on a foundation of hearty whole grains, a lean protein source, and a rainbow of fresh vegetables. The simple lemon-tahini dressing ties everything together beautifully, offering a creamy and bright finish to this nourishing meal.
Ingredient Notes
- Quinoa – This ancient grain is a complete protein and provides a fluffy, slightly nutty base for our bowl.
- Chicken Breast – Lean and versatile, chicken breast is the star protein of this dish, ensuring you stay full throughout your morning.
- Broccoli Florets – Adding a good dose of fiber and a satisfying crunch, broccoli is a powerhouse vegetable.
- Bell Pepper – Sweet and colorful, bell pepper brings brightness and a tender-crisp texture.
- Red Onion – A touch of sharpness and beautiful color, red onion adds depth to the flavor profile.
- Cherry Tomatoes – Bursting with sweetness and juicy flavor, cherry tomatoes are a perfect pop of freshness.
- Cucumber – Cool and refreshing, cucumber adds a light, crisp element to the bowl.
- Avocado – For a dose of healthy fats and creamy richness, avocado is a must.
- Tahini – This paste made from ground sesame seeds is the base of our creamy, flavorful dressing.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides a bright, zesty tang that cuts through the richness.
- Olive Oil – A good quality extra virgin olive oil adds a smooth, fruity note to the dressing.
- Garlic – A small clove of garlic adds a subtle savory depth to the dressing.
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors in the bowl and dressing.
- Black Pepper – Freshly ground black pepper adds a mild bite.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- For a Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted sunflower seeds or slivered almonds over your finished bowl.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing or a few slices of fresh jalapeño to your bowl for a little heat.
- Herbal Freshness: Fresh cilantro or parsley can add a lovely herbaceous note to the overall flavor.
- Different Grains: While quinoa is fantastic, cooked brown rice or farro would also make a wonderful base.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to swap in other quick-cooking vegetables like snap peas, edamame, or corn.
How to Make Delicious High Protein Breakfast Bowl
Let’s get this vibrant and nourishing breakfast bowl assembled! It’s a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results.
First, get your quinoa cooking according to package directions. While that’s bubbling away, we’ll prepare our vegetables and chicken. Cut the chicken breast into bite sized pieces. Slice the bell pepper and red onion thinly. Chop the broccoli into small florets. Halve the cherry tomatoes and chop the cucumber into bite sized pieces. Slice the avocado.
In a medium skillet, heat 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Add the broccoli florets, bell pepper, and red onion to the same skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender crisp, about 4-5 minutes.
While the vegetables are cooking, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, 1/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. If the dressing is too thick, add a little more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Once the vegetables are done, remove them from the skillet. Assemble your bowls by adding a generous portion of cooked quinoa to the bottom of each bowl. Top with the cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, fresh cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado slices. Drizzle generously with the tahini-lemon dressing.
- Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken and vegetables. Cooking in batches if necessary will ensure they sauté evenly and achieve that perfect tender-crisp texture.
Recipe Tips
- For the fluffiest quinoa, rinse it thoroughly under cold water before cooking. This removes any potential bitterness.
- Ensure your chicken is cooked through for food safety, but be careful not to overcook it, which can lead to dryness.
- The tahini dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, though it may thicken. You can simply whisk in a little water to loosen it before serving.
- Cut your vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly in the skillet.
FAQs
- Can I make this bowl vegetarian? Absolutely! Omit the chicken and add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or some pan-fried tofu for a plant-based protein boost.
- How should I store leftovers? Store any leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Assemble bowls just before serving to prevent sogginess.
- Can I prep ingredients in advance? Yes! Cook the quinoa, chop the vegetables, and make the dressing up to 2 days in advance. Store them in the refrigerator and assemble your bowls as needed.
Serving Suggestions
This Delicious High Protein Breakfast Bowl is wonderful on its own, but if you want to add a little extra flair or a side, consider these pairings:
- A dollop of hummus on the side for extra creaminess.
- A sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning over the avocado.
- Serve with a side of whole grain toast.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Many components of this breakfast bowl can be prepped in advance to save time on busy mornings. The quinoa can be cooked and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The vegetables (broccoli, bell pepper, red onion) can be chopped and stored in an airtight container for 2 days. The tahini-lemon dressing can also be made up to 3 days ahead and kept in the fridge; you may need to thin it with a little water before serving. The chicken is best cooked fresh, but if you are pressed for time, it can be cooked and refrigerated for up to 2 days, then gently reheated or served cold. Avocado is best sliced right before serving to prevent browning.
Print
Delicious High Protein Breakfast Bowl
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
Start your day with a satisfying and incredibly delicious breakfast bowl packed with protein to keep you feeling full and energized. This bowl is a celebration of vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, making your mornings brighter and more delicious. Imagine a perfectly balanced bowl, brimming with hearty grains, tender protein, and a medley of fresh, bright vegetables, all brought together by a delightful dressing.
Ingredients
1 tbsp butter
6 eggs
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/4 cup chopped tomatoes
2 green onions thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
1 small ripe avocado sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
2 hash brown patties Optional
2 tbsp Greek yogurt or sour cream
Optional: salsa or hot sauce for serving
Instructions
Cook Hash Browns If Using Preheat your oven and place hash brown patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake according to package directions. Alternatively, arrange hash browns in a single layer in your air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.
Scramble Eggs Crack eggs into a bowl and whisk well with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a skillet and pour in the beaten eggs. Gently scramble with a spatula until cooked to your liking, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in cheese if desired.
Assemble Bowls Divide scrambled eggs between two bowls.
Arrange avocado slices on top of the eggs. Add Greek yogurt, then sprinkle with green onions, tomatoes, and cilantro.
Serve with salsa or hot sauce on the side for extra flavor.
Notes
For the fluffiest quinoa, rinse it thoroughly under cold water before cooking. This removes any potential bitterness.
Ensure your chicken is cooked through for food safety, but be careful not to overcook it, which can lead to dryness.
The tahini dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, though it may thicken. You can simply whisk in a little water to loosen it before serving.
Cut your vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly in the skillet.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
