15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (2024)

Protein bowls are one of my favorite healthy dishes, and there are so many options out there! Everything from Buddha bowls to healthy grain bowls, it’s the perfect meal! You get your veggies, healthy proteins and carbs all in one dish. This post will showcase 15 healthy protein bowl recipes, one of them will be mine (obviously!) and the other 14 will be some tasty renditions from fellow food bloggers. Let’s get this round up started shall we?

15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (1)

15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (2)

Many of the protein bowls I have seen on the internet usually have a lot of healthy grains, seeds, and many times a lot of raw ingredients. I’ll be sharing with you 14 other tasty options for protein bowls , but I figured we would start with my version. I am a big fan of Italian ingredients and I also love spaghetti squash. This tasty dish has fresh garlic, good olive oil, fresh produce, sweet and tangy balsamic vinegar, a quick and tasty homemade bruschetta and Italian herbs. The chicken thighs are cooked simply and glazed with balsamic to finish off this healthy protein bowl.

15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (3)

Spaghetti squash is such a tasty vegetable. It’s easy to prepare, and can be used in many different ways. It’s a great substitute for pasta (like in this dish!) and can also work as a great potato pancake substitute (recipe upcoming!) For a great step by step on how to prepare this tasty squash, head over to my Blackened Salmon and Spaghetti Squash Recipe

I love making my own homemade balsamic drizzle. It’s a great little condiment to add into pasta or on top of a tasty caprese salad. It’s also a very cheap way of getting a similar flavor and consistency to the really expensive balsamic vinegars. I remember when I was a chef first starting out, I wanted to have all of these fancy things in my kitchen. I had truffle oil, expensive herbs, and I also purchased award winning gold medal balsamic vinegar. This was really expensive vinegar that was aged for over 10 years. It seemed cool at first to have this stuff, but after making these balsamic reductions countless times the flavor and consistency is quite similar to the expensive stuff. Shhhhhh It’s our little secret. The key is to make sure not to over cook the vinegar. Just reduce one cup by half and you will be left with a delicious sweet and tangy syrup that makes this protein bowl extra tasty!

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For the vegetables I went with broccolini, yellow bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini and Brussel sprouts. Not only were these super colorful options, but of course they were really healthy too! For the boccolini and the Brussel Sprouts I roasted together with just some olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. For the peppers, zucchini and mushrooms I added in a touch of balsamic vinegar. Adding in the vinegar glazes the vegetables and adds a touch of sweetness. I skipped the vinegar with the green vegetables as it would turn the color brown. That wouldn’t look good for the photos now will it? To make things easier though, you certainly could roast everything together and leave out the balsamic, and just add more drizzle instead! I topped off this dish with a home made bruschetta that only has 6 ingredients. There’s freshly chopped tomatoes and onions, with thinly sliced basil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and olive oil. That’s it! Nice and simple. 15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (5)

15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (6)

5 from 6 votes

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Balsamic Chicken Protein Bowl with Spaghetti Squash

Course:Dinner, Entree

Cuisine:Healthy, Italian

Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

Bruschetta

  • 3eachRoma tomatoes, 1/4" dice
  • 1/4eachred onion, 1/4" dice
  • 2tbspbasil, chiffonade
  • 1tbspbalsamic vinegar
  • 1tbspextra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2eachlemon juice, fresh

Vegetables

  • 2eachgreen zucchini, cut into sticks
  • 2cupsbroccolini, chopped in half
  • 2cupsbutton mushrooms, sliced
  • 2cupsBrussel sprouts, quartered
  • 1eachyellow pepper, cut into strips
  • 2tbspextra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbspbalsamic vinegar
  • 1 tspgarlic powder
  • 2eachspaghetti squash, halved, cooked and the flesh scraped out
  • 1easalt and pepper to taste

Balsamic Chicken

  • 1.5lbsboneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1tspgarlic powder
  • 2tbspextra virgin olive oil
  • 2tbspbalsamic vinegar, for glazing
  • 1easalt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Bruschetta

  1. mix together all ingredients and season well with salt and pepper, set aside

Vegetables

  1. Toss together the broccolini and Brussel sprouts with salt, pepper garlic powder, and olive oil and put on a large baking tray.

  2. Toss together the peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms with salt, pepper, garlic powder, balsamic vinegar and olive oil and add to the same baking sheet as the green veggies

  3. Roast in a 400 degree oven until there is lots of color on the vegetables. Should take about 12-15 minutes. Set aside

Balsamic Reduction

  1. Take 1 cup of balsamic vinegar and put into a pot. Heat up to a slow simmer and let reduce by half. Keep an eye on the pot and use a spoon to stir occasionally. The reduction should coat the back of a spoon. Don't boil!

Balsamic Chicken

  1. Heat up extra virgin olive oil in a pan until just below the smoking point. Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder and cook both sides of the thighs until just about done. Should take 5-7 minutes.

  2. Add in the balsamic vinegar on medium heat so the vinegar doesn't boil away rapidly. Let the reduction happen slowly and get the chicken nice and glazed. There should be no vinegar left in the pan. Set aside to rest before slicing.

  3. Serve everything in a bowl and top with balsamic drizzle. Enjoy!

15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (7)

Oh, you think I’m done with this post right?? Let’s not forget I’ve found 14 other tasty protein bowl recipes from some other very talented bloggers! Check out these other tasty options! Just click on the pictures to head right over to the recipes.

15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (8)

Dana from the Minimalist Baker does a great job in creating plant based, and tasty meals and this vegetarian Buddha bowl is no exception!

15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (9)

Marina at Yummy Mummy Kitchen also does a great job on a healthy vegetarian protein bowl with lots of delicious beans and rice. Looking great!

15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (10)

Emily at A Nutritionist Eats came up with this awesome protein bowl with lots of healthy quinoa and tasty prawns!

15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (11)

Don’t worry I haven’t forgotten about breakfast too! Lacey over at A Sweet Pea Chef came up with this delicious chocolate quinoa breakfast bowl. What a great way to start your day!

15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (12)

Kim over at Kims Cravings cam up with this awesome hamburger bowl with spiralized potato. Such a cool creative dish!

6. Healthy Earth Bowls – by Ev’s Eats

7. Shrimp and Avocado Zoodle Salad Bowl – by The Kitchen Prep Blog

8. Greek Meatball Souvlaki Bowls – by Salted Mint

9. Caramelized Banana Quinoa Breakast Bowl – by The Kitchen of Danielle

10. Salmon Poke Bowl with Spicy Sauce – by Eat Spin Run Repeat

11. Pulled Pork Pulse Protein Bowl – by Eazy Peazy Mealz

12. Southwestern Steak Bowl – by The Unmanly Chef

13. Chicken Burrito Bowl Meal Prep – by Damn Delicious

14. BBQ Chicken Power Bowl – by Jar of Lemons

15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (13)

You may also like :

White Bean Minestrone Soup

Coconut Cranberry White Chocolate Muffins

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bombs

Simple Healthy Sous Vide Steak Frites

15 Deliciously Healthy Protein Bowl Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Are protein bowls good for weight loss? ›

These colorful bowls use leafy greens, lean protein, and fiber to help keep you feeling full longer. Good protein bowl recipes are easy to make and can be made from a wide range of ingredients, making them one of our favorite meals for all our weight-loss and muscle-building goals.

What does a protein bowl consist of? ›

A protein bowl is a balanced meal piled into one colorful bowl. It looks so intentionally Instagram-worthy that no one would know you're probably noshing on leftovers. Protein bowls (also called protein power bowls) contain protein, grains, and vegetables.

What protein goes well with rice? ›

Protein. Now that we have our core rice base, we can choose which proteins to add on. A few example proteins include chicken, eggs, beef or vegan and vegetarian options include: beans, quinoa, tofu and tempeh.

What are power bowls? ›

If you're unfamiliar, grain bowls and power bowls are simple yet hearty, no-fuss, no-mess, customizable meals that consists of a base, a protein, an array of fresh vegetables, toppings/garnish, and some kind of flavorful dressing or sauce to tie it all together.

What is the best daily protein for weight loss? ›

Choose protein sources that are nutrient-rich and lower in saturated fat and calories, such as:
  • Lean meats.
  • Seafood.
  • Beans.
  • Soy.
  • Low-fat dairy.
  • Eggs.
  • Nuts and seeds.

What protein should I drink to lose weight? ›

While some small studies have shown whey protein to be more effective for weight loss than soy and other plant-based proteins, others show no real difference. As such, individual lifestyle factors may be more important than the type of protein regarding weight loss or other desired outcomes.

Does a bowl of pasta have protein? ›

Pasta isn't just carbohydrates. One cup (about 145 grams) of cooked pasta has about 38g of carbohydrates, 7.7g of protein and 0.6g of fats. Plus, there's all the water that is absorbed from cooking and lots of vitamins and minerals.

What counts as a serving of protein foods? ›

The following examples count as 1 ounce-equivalent from the Protein Foods Group:
  • 1 ounce of meat, poultry or fish.
  • ¼ cup cooked beans.
  • 1 egg.
  • 1 tablespoon of peanut butter.
  • ½ ounce of nuts or seeds.
  • ¼ cup (about 2 ounces) of tofu.
  • 1 ounce tempeh, cooked.

Is a protein bowl a salad? ›

The protein bowl is a pretty meaty salad, and least the one I had. I opted for the Chicken Bacon Ranch. It was a pretty generous portion of chicken & bacon.

Which vegetable has more protein? ›

Among the highest protein vegetables are chickpeas, corn, spinach, artichoke hearts, and edamame. To get all of the amino acids your body needs, aim to eat a variety of foods, such as legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetables throughout the day.

What is the healthiest rice? ›

1. Brown rice. Whole grain rice such as brown rice is less processed and refined than white rice. As a result, brown rice contains more nutrients such as fiber and minerals such as magnesium, iron, and zinc.

Is rice or Bread better for protein? ›

When looking at the nutritional content of a single serving of bread and rice, bread may be considered the healthier option. This is due to bread containing fewer calories and carbohydrates than rice. However, rice does contain more protein, vitamins, and minerals compared to bread.

Are protein bowls good for you? ›

One key benefit of incorporating protein bowls into your lunch routine is staying energized. Making protein the star of your meal stabilizes blood sugar levels and provides a steady release of energy, keeping you fueled and preventing energy crashes.

Is Taco Bell protein bowl healthy? ›

Short Answer: Yes, with Caveats. The Taco Bell Power Bowl can be a healthier option, especially when compared to other fast-food choices. Loaded with rice, beans, cheese, and your choice of protein, it's quite the nutrient-packed dish. However, the key to its healthiness lies in customization.

What is a Buddha bowl made of? ›

Assemble individual bowls with the brown rice, chickpeas, kale, carrots, radishes, cabbage, sweet potatoes, sauerkraut, sesame seeds, and microgreens, if using. Season with salt and pepper and serve with the Turmeric Tahini Sauce.

Do protein meals help lose weight? ›

A high-protein diet can aid weight loss by increasing satiety, boosting metabolism, and more. You can increase your daily protein intake by incorporating lean protein sources into meals and snacks. You can also mix protein powder into smoothies or milk to help you hit your daily protein targets.

Are protein bars good for belly fat loss? ›

Incorporating protein-rich foods or supplements, such as protein bars, into your diet can enhance fat-burning potential and improve body composition over time.

Can protein pasta help you lose weight? ›

Studies have shown that protein pasta is good for weight loss.

Does protein help you lose water weight? ›

Unlike carbs that increase water storage, increased protein intake has the opposite effect, leading to water excretion in its metabolism. High protein diets are great for water weight loss, especially when paired with reduced carbohydrates in the diet.

References

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