Eating healthy in the new year is a trend that has been going on for decades. But sometimes after eating endless amounts of turkey, Christmas cookies and other heavy meals, we just crave something a little lighter and full of veggies. It’s not about losing weight or starting the newest diet craze - it’s about feeling good.
An incredibly easy option for maximizing nutrients and flavor are bowls. These could not be more simple to throw together and are very accommodating for groups (or a family of picky eaters)! It could be a taco bowl, an asian-inspired stir fry bowl; there are many delicious options. Today, let’s dig into a Mediterranean bowl with a kick!
Ingredients for the chicken:
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1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
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1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
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1 cup mild Harissa sauce (can be found jarred many places)
Bowl options:
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Rice, cauliflower rice or quinoa
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Chickpeas
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Cucumber
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Tomatoes
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Red Onion
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Pepperoncini
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Green Peppers
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Olives
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Feta
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Tzatziki sauce or plain Greek yogurt
To start the Harissa chicken, season it with the cumin, garlic powder, pinch of salt, and pepper. Place chicken in a slow cooker, pour the jarred harissa over the chicken, and cover. Cook on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW 4 hours. Alternatively, you could use an Instant Pot, or boil the chicken and then add the Harrisa. When your marinated chicken is done - pull it out and shred. For those that can’t handle spice, simply use seasoned chicken breasts.
Then the fun part: building your bowl. Personally, I use a cauliflower rice base, add diced cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion and then top with tzatziki and feta. Pair with some warm pita bread and enjoy!