Meal Prep Buffalo Chicken Bowls

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If you’re a buffalo chicken fan, these meal prep buffalo chicken bowls are about to become your new go-to! Juicy, tender chicken breast is marinated in bold, spicy buffalo sauce with a hint of garlic, then paired with fluffy rice (or quinoa for a wholesome twist) and crisp cucumber slices for the perfect balance of heat and freshness. Drizzle with extra buffalo sauce for a kick or cool it down with ranch dressing—either way, every bite is packed with flavor. These bowls are high in protein, super satisfying, and stay fresh for days, making them ideal for busy weekdays. Whether you’re prepping for lunch or a quick dinner, this easy meal is guaranteed to keep you coming back for more!

Glass container featuring a flavorful buffalo chicken meal prep bowl with crisp cucumber slices and fluffy rice. A bottle of hot sauce lingers in the background, ready to spice things up.

A great lunch or dinner option, meal prep buffalo chicken bowls are simple to prepare and will stay fresh for days in the fridge for a tasty meal in minutes.

You might also like grilled buffalo buffalo burgers, buffalo chicken tenders, a fried chicken sandwich, or meal prep firecracker beef.

Buffalo chicken meal prep bowl featuring a glass container with buffalo chicken, sliced cucumbers, and grains; Frank's RedHot sauce bottle and more containers linger in the background.

Why You’ll Love It

Easy to whip up: All you need to do is marinate and cook the chicken and assemble the bowls. Then, when you’re ready to serve them, add some fresh cucumber and dressing. That’s all!
Great meal prep option: The great thing about recipes like this one is you can simply grab one from the refrigerator when you’re hungry and within a minute or so you can be enjoying it.
Amazing flavors: A little like a cross between a Chipotle chicken bowl and a buffalo chicken wrap, this meal prep buffalo chicken rice bowl pairs the juiciness of chicken with the spice of buffalo sauce, a hint of garlic, crisp fresh cucumber slices, fluffy rice, and ranch dressing. These flavors are always so satisfying.
Easy to make gluten free and/or dairy free: Check your buffalo sauce for gluten and your ranch dressing for dairy, and this becomes free from both gluten and dairy.

Glass meal prep containers filled with buffalo chicken, cooked rice, sliced cucumbers, and a drizzle of white sauce. Nearby, a striped napkin and extra sliced cucumbers in a bowl complete the tasty buffalo chicken meal prep bowls setup.

Meal Prep Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowl Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Chicken breasts: I like to use boneless skinless chicken breast. You could use chicken thighs if you prefer. The cooking time will be similar.
Buffalo sauce: To spice up your chicken. I used Frank’s Red Hot Original.
Garlic powder: This goes perfectly with the spicy flavor.
Olive oil: For pan frying the chicken.
Cooked rice or quinoa: To make the dish more filling. You can use either one, or some of both.
Ranch dressing: Optional, to serve.
Cucumber: Adds a contrasting, fresh crispness.

Ingredients on a marble surface: bowl of rice, seasoned chicken breasts like you'd find in buffalo chicken meal prep bowls, sliced cucumbers, and small bowls holding red sauce, oil, and spices.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowls

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Marinate the chicken: Toss the chicken, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper together and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Cook the marinated chicken breast: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and cook the chicken. Let it rest for a few minutes and then slice.
Assemble the bowls: Divide the rice or quinoa and chicken between 4 meal prep containers and refrigerate until serving.
Serve and enjoy: Heat the chicken and rice up and then top with sliced cucumber and serve with ranch dressing if liked and extra buffalo sauce.

A plate of rice and shredded buffalo chicken topped with white sauce, garnished with sliced cucumbers. A fork rests on the plate, perfect for your meal prep needs. Nearby sit a bottle of sauce and a striped cloth.

Substitutions and Variations

Chicken: Protein alternatives include turkey, shrimp, salmon, and tofu. If you’re starting with something already cooked, such as shredded rotisserie chicken, you can just toss the shredded chicken in the marinade and leave it to soak up the flavors. Skip the cooking and just assemble the meal prep containers.
Add some greens: Add romaine, iceberg or cabbage slaw mix.
Rice or quinoa: Use white or brown rice. Or swap the rice or quinoa with cauliflower rice, roasted sweet potatoes, or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
Ranch dressing: Top with blue cheese crumbles or blue cheese dressing instead of ranch.
Vegetables: Add more vegetables like shredded carrots, cherry tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, green onion, or celery.
Add cheese: Fresh mozzarella or feta cheese would be good, or you could add blue cheese.
Sweeten it up: Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of honey to the buffalo chicken marinade for a little sweetness. Or some jalapeno hot honey!
Adjust the spiciness: For a milder flavor, mix the buffalo marinade with a little ranch dressing before tossing the chicken in it. For a spicier flavor, add red pepper flakes to the marinade or serve with extra hot sauce.

Buffalo chicken meal prep bowls packed in a glass container with cucumbers and rice. Three stacked containers stand ready in the background, accompanied by a hot sauce bottle and a cloth napkin on the wooden board.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizers: Begin your meal with bacon-wrapped tater tots.
Side dishes: If you want a pairing for these healthy buffalo chicken bowls, try smoked asparagus, roasted acorn squash or smashed potato salad. Garlic bread would also be good.

Three stacked glass containers showcase a delightful buffalo chicken meal prep feast, with each layer brimming with zesty chicken, fluffy rice, and crisp sliced cucumbers, all arranged neatly on a wooden surface.

How to Store Buffalo Chicken Bowls

Store: Store the meal prep bowls in their containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Buffalo chicken and rice can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the fridge. Add cucumbers and dressing before serving.
Reheat: Reheat chicken and rice in the microwave for 2 minutes or until hot. Add fresh cucumbers and dressing before serving.

Buffalo chicken meal prep bowls featuring glass containers filled with rice, spicy shredded chicken, and cucumber slices arranged elegantly on a marble surface.

Top Tips

Marinating time: Let the chicken marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes, but ideally up to 2 hours for a bolder flavor.
Check the chicken is done: It helps to use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Let it rest: Let the cooked chicken sit for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
Crisp cucumbers: To keep the cucumbers crisp, add them fresh before serving or store sliced cucumbers in a separate container.

Buffalo chicken meal prep bowl featuring a glass container filled with sliced chicken slathered in sauce, fresh cucumber slices, and tender cooked grains. More cucumber slices are artfully arranged beside the container on a marble surface.

Buffalo Chicken Meal Prep Bowls FAQs

Can I slice or chop the chicken before cooking instead of after?

You can if you like. Cutting it up before marinating and cooking means a spicier flavor, as there’s more surface area of the chicken in contact with the marinade. It also means a shorter cooking time.

What type of meal prep containers are best to use?

I used these glass meal prep containers so the bright red color of the buffalo sauce didn’t stain any plastic containers, but either kind will work.

Should I serve this hot or chilled?

It’s tasty both ways. If you’re going to heat it up though, don’t add the ranch dressing (if using) and cucumber slices until serving.

Glass container with buffalo chicken, rice, cucumber slices, and white sauce on top, placed on a marble surface next to a striped cloth and a few cucumber slices, creating the perfect meal prep bowl with a spicy twist.

Easy Buffalo Chicken Meal Prep Bowls Recipe

Raw chicken breasts marinated in orange sauce sit on a plate, surrounded by sliced cucumbers, cooked rice, and small bowls of spices. Perfect for buffalo chicken meal prep bowls, a striped cloth and a pepper mill complete the setting.

You’re going to love the spicy, rich flavors in these meal prep buffalo chicken bowls. The spicy buffalo chicken, fluffy rice, crisp cucumbers and cooling ranch dressing offer plenty of flavor, and you can make these for the week, as they keep in the refrigerator for days. You can make these as spicy or as mild as you prefer, and add optional toppings and sauces to customize them.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.