Kid Friendly Dinner Recipe: Chicken Cauliflower Rice Bowl

Kid friendly dinners are a must as a parent. It makes things easier as meal planning, prepping and preparing can be very challenging.  By incorporating a variety of nutritious and appealing options into these dinners, parents can ensure that their children receive the essential nutrients they need while fostering a positive relationship with food and introducing them to new flavors/textures.

I love to try out and come up with my own recipes for my family and share them if they are good. In this blog post, I will be showing you a kid-friendly recipe that we have made multiple times and really enjoy.

A Unique Dish

I am on a low-carb, low sugar diet to treat any insulin resistance I may have and prevent diabetes. Because of this, my daily diet looks a bit different than my husband's and son's diet. They have come around over the past couple of years though and enjoy the meals that fit into my diet.

This recipe is quite low in carbs and sugars which makes it a great option for anyone who is watching those two things. Not to mention it is tasty enough that people who don't need to keep watch won't even miss them!

The cauliflower "rice" is something that my husband and son were very skeptical of but they ended up really liking this dish and still do. It is all in how the rice substitute is cooked and what it is served with.

This chicken cauliflower rice bowl has a great flavor to it that the whole family will enjoy and it is quite easy to make, too! Also, if you are into doing meal planning for your workday lunches or just in general- these are a great option.

Why Cauliflower Rice?

Cauliflower rice has become a popular alternative to traditional rice in recent years. This is because the vegetable offers numerous health benefits and can be a great addition to your meals. Here’s why you should consider making the switch once in a while:

• Cauliflower rice is a low-carb, low-calorie option that fits well into various dietary plans, including keto, paleo, and gluten-free diets.

• Unlike regular rice, which is high in carbohydrates, cauliflower rice provides a lighter alternative that can help you manage your carb intake without sacrificing flavor or texture.

• It has a great nutrient profile as it is rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and folate.

• Cauliflower rice is high in fiber, which can help one to have regular bowel movements.

• Cauliflower rice is also high in antioxidants, which help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.

• Cauliflower rice is very versatile in the kitchen. It can be used as a base for various dishes and as a side dish. It doesn't have a strong flavor on its own and can absorb seasonings and sauce well.

• Preparing cauliflower rice is quick and easy. You can make it at home by simply grating or processing fresh cauliflower into rice-sized pieces, or you can purchase it pre-made from most grocery stores.

Recipe Ingredients

The ingredients for this dish are healthy and there aren't a ton of them which is part of what makes it easy. Here is what you will need:

• 1.5 lbs. of skinless boneless chicken- This equals about 4 chicken breasts.

• 1 can of coconut milk

• 2 tbsp of olive oil

• 1.5 tsp of cumin

• 1.5 tsp onion powder

• 1 tbsp paprika

• 3.5 tsp garlic powder (total, divided)

• Pinches of salt (I don't measure, I just don't put too much in)

• Pinches of black pepper (I don't measure, I just don't put too much in)

• 1 red bell pepper and 1 yellow bell pepper (or both red or both yellow), chopped

• 1 large white, chopped

• 4 cups of cauliflower rice (make yourself or buy)

• 1 large avocado, pitted and chopped

• 1 fresh lime

• 1 fresh lemon

Everyone is different when it comes to seasonings. What I have above is just a blueprint and you can add as much or as little as you want when making this. Also, if you want to use different seasonings- that is okay as well! Make this dish your own.

Instructions

Here are the steps to take for this wonderful dish:

1. Mix coconut milk, cumin, onion powder, paprika, 1.5 tsp garlic powder, salt and black pepper in a large bowl or put it all in a large Ziplock bag.

2. Put on some cooking gloves and place the chicken breasts in the bowl or bag. Massage the chicken around in the marinade until coated really well. Cover the bowl if you are using one. Put the chicken in the refrigerator for three hours.

3. Get out a pan and put the 1 tbsp of oil in it. Set the temperature to medium-high heat.

4. Take the chicken out, shake off the excess marinade and place in the pan.

5. Cook for about 4 minutes on each side or until internal temperature is at least 165 degrees.

6. Once cooked, transfer to a cutting board and slice. Let it rest.

7. In another pan, add in the remaining oil, onion, bell peppers, pinch of salt, pinch of black pepper and the remaining 2 tbsp of garlic powder. Cook for three minutes then stir in the cauliflower rice.

8. Cook the cauliflower rice mixture for 4 minutes then take the pan off the heat.

9. Divide the cauliflower rice mixture among four bowls. Then divide the chicken slices and chopped avocado among the four bowls as well.

10. Squeeze the lime and lemon on each bowl and then serve.

These bowls should be served right away or they can be refrigerated for up to three days.

The Recipe

In conclusion

Finding kid-friendly meals for your family might be tough but fortunately, there are a lot of recipes for them out there! This chicken cauliflower bowl is full of good flavor that your children will love and also packs a great, nutritional punch.

Let me know if you have tried this and whether you like it or not. Also, get in touch if you are interested in having your child attend Forward Leap!.