• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Kelsey Nixon
  • ABOUT
    • Work with Me
  • FOOD
    • Meal Planning Hub
    • Recipes
      • Breakfast + Morning Treats
      • Starters
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches + Soups
      • Main Course
      • Sides
      • Desserts + Sweets
  • FAMILY
    • Family Breakfast Project
  • HOME
    • Pantry Organization From Start to Finish
    • Play Room
    • Garage Refresh
  • FUN
    • 2020 FAVES
  • WATCH
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

Apple Cheddar Grain Bowl

September 18, 2020 by kelseynixon

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

GRAIN BOWL LOVE

We can't seem to make enough Grain Bowls around here! They’re a “good for you” meal that is easily adapted to what you have on hand and they’re a nice fit for either lunch or dinner. Lately it's been my go-to option when I don't have something planned in advance. I seem to always have some sort of greens and grains on hand, from there I can pull together a few different ingredients from my fridge and pantry to make a meal. This combo is my current favorite: Honeycrisp apples, white cheddar (@beechers forever!), avocado, pecans, chicken, wild rice, and kale. Tossed with a creamy balsamic dressing...it's perfection! You'll find a few tips below on how to pull together a winning combo every time.

REALLY GOOD GRAINS

Get creative with your grains. Think beyond quinoa and brown rice. I particularly love farro for its nutty flavor and chewy texture. Barley is another favorite grain along with a wild rice blend that I pick up regularly from Trader Joes. Don't rule out pasta either – my kids go crazy for orzo, so that's another easy option. When it comes to cooking your grains try reaching for something with more flavor than water. I like to use low-sodium chicken or veggie broth – it really packs a punch when it comes to flavor and creates a nice hearty base for your bowl. If I'm really on top of things, I'll cook off a big batch of grains on a Sunday and reach for them throughout the week. Any chance to eliminate a step for a mid-week meal...I'll take it!

WINNING FORMULA

Greens + Grains + Protein + Veggies + Sauce + Crunch = SUCCESS! This is formula I stick to when making my grain bowls. While some of these ingredients are obvious, others like sauce and crunch are just as crucial. A good sauce can take your grain bowl from good to great in a snap. I like to have a few favorites on hand so I can easily mix things up. Thinking beyond a standard vinaigrette, I like having yogurt based dressings, peanut sauce, harissa, and pesto on hand. When it comes to that crunch, it's crucial to have some textural variety. Think of toasted nuts, seeds, or even crushed pita chips. Finally, I almost always throw some type of cheese on top to really seal the deal!

Print
clock clock icon cutlery cutlery icon flag flag icon folder folder icon instagram instagram icon pinterest pinterest icon facebook facebook icon print print icon squares squares icon

Apple Cheddar Grain Bowl


  • Author: Kelsey Nixon
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

The BEST Grain Bowl perfect for fall! Crisp apples, buttery cheddar, earthy grains, dark leafy greens, avocado, and creamy balsamic dressing.


Scale

Ingredients

  • 4 cups wild rice or farro, cooked
  • 4 cups kale, chopped
  • 4 cups sliced or shredded chicken, cooked (from 1 rotisserie chicken)
  • 1-2 large Honeycrisp apples, diced
  • 1-3 avocados, sliced and seasoned with salt & pepper
  • Creamy Balsamic Dressing, recipe follows
  • 1 cup sharp white cheddar, cubed
  • 1 cup pecans, toasted

Creamy Balsamic Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup plain yogurt
  • kosher salt & cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

For bowl: Divide rice among 4 bowls; top evenly with kale, chicken, apples, and avocado. Drizzle with creamy balsamic dressing top evenly with cheddar and pecans.

For dressing: Combine vinegar and mustard in a small bowl. Whisk in olive oil until well combined. Stir in yogurt and season with salt and pepper to taste. Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @kelseynixon on Instagram and hashtag it #kelseynixonrecipes

Previous Post: « Pita Pizza Party
Next Post: Play Room »

Primary Sidebar

Emmy-nominated How-to Home + Cooking Expert. Sharing tips, techniques, and tools for building your best home life! TV Host • Author • Content Creator • about me!

Newest Posts

Healthy-ish Kitchen Roundup

Here's My Favorite Healthy-ish Tools I’m so excited to share with you a few kitchen appliances I’m loving as we kick off the new year and make an effort to eat a bit healthier - and to be honest I’d rather just call it Feed Good Food. Foods that I feel good about eating and...

Read More

Creamy Tomato Feta Soup

A simple Creamy Tomato Feta Soup to make with just a few basic pantry ingredients! This soup is elevated with rich, savory feta cheese for a unique twist on a comforting favorite. Tomato Soup with a Twist Creamy tomato soup is one of my all time favorites. This updated take on tomato soup has all of...

Read More

Rental Revamp: Bathroom Refresh

A little peel + stick wallpaper goes a LONG way – especially when you're looking for a non-permanent solution to liven up space. I used Chasing Paper peel + stick wallpaper in our spare bathroom as part of our rental revamp and I've loved it! Ready for a Removable Wallpaper project? Removable wallpaper seems to really...

Read More

Greek Relish

A fresh Mediterranean take on a relish that can be served on it's own, with pita chips, or alongside fish or chicken.  What is Greek Relish? If you love a traditional Greek salad (like I do!), then you will love this relish. It's a simple, fresh, and healthy recipe that is delicious served with pita...

Read More

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Services
  • Media Kit
  • FAQ

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme