Protein Bowl Recipe Ideas with LEAN CUISINE®

Today, more and more diners are trading in their plates for bowls. Protein bowls aren’t just on-trend – they’re also a great way to build a nutritious meal with a delectable blend of crave-worthy flavors and nutrient-rich ingredients. Let’s grab a fork and dig into some quick recipe tips to power up mealtime with a protein bowl.

How To Make A Protein Bowl

One of the great benefits of a bowl is its versatility. No matter your food preferences or your diet-related goal - weight maintenance, overall well-being or anything in between - you can easily customize protein bowls with ingredients that meet your needs and give you the tastes and textures you love.

Stick to this core recipe when making a protein bowl and choose the ingredients that work for you.

• Lean Protein: Strong protein sources, like chicken or shrimp, play a starring role in nutritious protein bowls that help fuel your day. Consider plant-based protein options too, like beans, nuts, edamame and tofu.
• Vibrant Veggies and Fruits: Leafy greens and roasted vegetables can give your protein bowl a pop of color and a serious nutrient boost. Adding more vegetables into your meal is easy! Chopped or shredded raw veggies like carrots, cabbage or celery can provide bold crunch, while fruits like berries, apples, or pomegranate seeds can add subtle sweetness and great flavor.
• Go-To Grains: Rice or noodles pair well with practically any protein and veg. For extra fiber, opt for whole grains like farro, brown rice or quinoa, and aim for around a ½ cup serving.¹
• “Good Fats”: Add flavor and richness to your protein bowl with an olive oil-based dressing and aim for the recommended serving size of 2 tablespoons.¹ Hummus, tahini or avocado are other great ways to enhance your bowl with unsaturated fats.

3 Pro Tips for the Perfect Protein Bowl Creation

To truly master the art of a protein bowl, keep these top recipe tips in mind:

• Use measuring spoons when dressing your protein bowl and measuring cups when portioning other ingredients. Stick to a standard sized dinner bowl to help keep serving sizes in check.
• Fill about half of your bowl with veggies and fruit and split the other half between protein and grains
• Explore different recipes, cuisines and themes. Get creative by taking classic dishes, like a chicken burrito or an egg roll, and deconstructing them into a protein bowl!

Lean on LEAN CUISINE^® For Your Next Protein Bowl

Whether you’re low on time, short on ingredients, on the go, or simply looking for an easy mealtime solution, LEAN CUISINE® offers a variety of frozen, pre-made protein bowls with 17+ grams of protein and 400 calories or less that are ready in a matter of minutes.

Get your protein bowl fix in a flash with these 5 LEAN CUISINE favorites:

1. Orange Chicken: with 14 grams of protein and 310 calories, this chicken protein bowl features nutrient-rich edamame and bell peppers in a sweet and spicy sauce.
2. Shrimp Alfredo: satisfying protein bowl ingredients like linguine, broccoli and red peppers are tossed with protein-packed shrimp in a creamy alfredo sauce to provide 16 grams of protein and 310 calories.
3. Unwrapped Chicken Burrito: this high protein chicken bowl boasts 20 grams of protein, 310 calories and a flavorful mix of corn, black beans and poblano and red peppers.
4. Chicken Teriyaki: offering 18 grams of protein and 260 calories, this chicken protein bowl is made with Asian style noodles, colorful veggies and a tasty teriyaki sauce.
5. Savory Sesame Chicken: loaded with white meat chicken and freshly made pasta, this sesame ginger bowl has 15 grams of protein and 350 calories.

Whether you're building your own or choosing a LEAN CUISINE entrée, protein bowls are a delicious way to spruce up mealtime! Check out LEAN CUISINE to view our assortment of flavorful and perfectly portioned bowls.

References

• ¹ U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.