Harvest Bowl with Chicken (Printable)

Vibrant bowl with roasted chicken, wild rice, kale, sweet potatoes, apples, and almonds in balsamic dressing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Grains

05 - 1 cup uncooked wild rice
06 - 2 cups water or chicken broth

→ Vegetables & Fruit

07 - 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 4 cups chopped kale, stems removed
12 - 1 medium apple, cored and diced (Honeycrisp or Fuji recommended)

→ Toppings

13 - 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
14 - 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese

→ Balsamic Dressing

15 - 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
16 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
17 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
18 - 1 teaspoon honey
19 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
20 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss diced sweet potato with 1 tablespoon olive oil, smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spread on half of the baking sheet.
03 - Rub chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Place on the other half of the baking sheet.
04 - Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping sweet potatoes halfway through, until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and sweet potatoes are tender. Let chicken rest 5 minutes, then slice.
05 - Rinse rice under cold water. Combine rice and water or broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes until tender. Drain any excess liquid.
06 - Whisk together balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
07 - Massage chopped kale with a drizzle of dressing and a pinch of salt for 1 to 2 minutes until tender.
08 - Start each bowl with a bed of massaged kale. Top with wild rice, roasted sweet potatoes, sliced chicken, diced apple, sliced almonds, and crumbled goat cheese. Drizzle with additional balsamic dressing.
09 - Serve immediately while components are at optimal temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Every component can be prepped ahead, making weeknight dinners feel less chaotic than they actually are.
  • The contrast between crisp apples, creamy goat cheese, and nutty wild rice creates a flavor story that keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • It's naturally gluten-free without tasting restrictive or boring.
02 -
  • The kale massage step isn't optional fussiness—it's what prevents the bowl from tasting like you're eating salad for dinner instead of something warm and inviting.
  • Don't let the chicken rest longer than 5 minutes or it'll start cooling down and become less pleasant against the warm components.
03 -
  • Toast your own almonds in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes over medium heat and you'll suddenly understand why they cost more than the untoasted version.
  • If the sweet potatoes and chicken finish cooking at different times, just cover the finished component loosely with foil to keep it warm while the other catches up.
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