Harvest Bowl with Chicken (Printable)

Hearty bowls featuring roasted chicken, kale, wild rice, sweet potatoes, and creamy goat cheese with balsamic.

# 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 and 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 variety)

→ 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

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss the diced sweet potato with 1 tablespoon olive oil, smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spread on half of the prepared 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 an internal temperature of 165°F and sweet potatoes are tender. Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
05 - Rinse wild 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 or 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 - For each serving, start 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 -
  • It's a complete meal in one bowl that actually keeps you satisfied, not just full.
  • The combination of warm roasted proteins with cool, crisp toppings feels exciting every single time.
02 -
  • Don't skip the massaging step for kale—those two minutes of gentle rubbing with salt and dressing are the difference between tough greens and something genuinely pleasant to eat.
  • The wild rice needs patience; rushing it by cranking the heat will make grains burst and turn mushy instead of staying chewy.
03 -
  • Toast your almonds in a dry skillet for just three minutes if you have time—the flavor deepens and they stay crunchier throughout eating.
  • Don't let the chicken breast dry out by taking it off heat the moment it hits 165°F internally; those final seconds matter more than you'd think.
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