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These healthy teriyaki chicken rice bowls come together in under 20 minutes! Fresh ginger, garlic, tamari to make it gluten-free, and honey to naturally sweeten things up. Ditch the takeout this week, and make this healthier recipe instead!

close-up image of healthy teriyaki chicken

What You’ll Need to Make Healthy Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

Chicken Breast: Boneless and skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces cooks in just a matter of minutes! However, feel free to use any piece/cut of chicken you’d like. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, replace the chicken with salmon or tofu – the possibilities are endless!

Ginger: Fresh, grated ginger adds tons of delicious fresh flavor to our healthy teriyaki chicken. I usually purchase a bunch of fresh ginger (it’s pretty cheap!) and store it in my freezer until I need to use it. But if you can’t find fresh ginger, feel free to use just 1 teaspoon of dried ground ginger in its place.

Tamari: What is tamari? Tamari is simply gluten-free soy sauce. It tastes exactly the same as soy sauce, but is 100% gluten-free. It’s safe for people who suffer from celiac disease or a gluten intolerance! However, if you’re fine with gluten, go ahead and use soy sauce in this recipe instead.

Honey: A refined sugar-free sweetener to help balance this teriyaki sauce! You won’t notice the difference between this honey-sweetened sauce and the sauce you’d order at a restaurant.

healthy teriyaki chicken rice bowls with sliced green onion on top.

Tips and Tricks

  • I served my healthy teriyaki chicken over white rice with a side of steamed broccoli, but feel free to serve yours with whatever you’d like! Brown rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice make a great base to these bowls. Also, any steamed veggie will pair perfectly with this meal!
  • The chicken cooks pretty quickly in this recipe, thanks to it being cut into such small pieces. Therefore, keep an eye on it and be careful not to overcook the chicken. It should only take a few minutes to cook through!

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

  • Make it Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce, which is 100% gluten-free.
  • Make it Vegan/Vegetarian: Replace the chicken with pressed and cubed tofu, and the honey with maple syrup!
  • Make it Paleo: To make a paleo teriyaki chicken, simply replace the honey with maple syrup and use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce – it’s that easy! Also, serve over cauliflower rice or with extra steamed veggies, instead of white rice.

Healthy Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

4 from 17 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: DinnerDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

20

minutes

These healthy teriyaki chicken rice bowls come together in under 20 minutes! Fresh ginger, garlic, tamari to make it gluten-free, and honey to naturally sweeten things up. Ditch the takeout this week, and make this healthier recipe instead!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1 tablespoons avocado oil

  • pinch of salt

  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1/4 cup tamari, or soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1 tablespoon corn starch

  • 3 tablespoons water

  • For serving:
  • 2 cups cooked rice

  • 1 crown broccoli, steamed

  • sliced green onions

  • sesame seeds

Directions

  • Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, add in the chicken and sprinkle with salt. Cook chicken for 2-3 minutes per side or until cooked through. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  • Reduce heat to low, add in the ginger and garlic, cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add in the tamari or soy sauce, lemon juice, sesame oil, and honey, mix together. 
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until the cornstarch has dissolved. Transfer corn starch and water to the sauce along with the cooked chicken. 
  • Stir until sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Divide between four bowls with rice and broccoli, then top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Storage: Store the rice and vegetables in a separate container than the teriyaki chicken. Place them both in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

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OTHER HEALTHY RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

Irresistibly crispy pizza smashed potatoes! I took two of my favorite food groups and combined them into one delicious appetizer. Fun and easy to make, with only a handful of simple ingredients!

overhead image of pizza smashed potatoes on a baking sheet.

What You’ll Need to Make Pizza Smashed Potatoes

Baby Potatoes – These adorable little spuds come in all sorts of colors and shapes, and really any will work in this recipe. When selecting your baby potatoes, I recommend grabbing a bag that all look pretty similar in size, to ensure they roast up evenly! I used these to make my pizza smashed potatoes, and they were delicious.

Pizza Sauce – Either homemade or store-bought pizza sauce works! I used store-bought canned pizza sauce, to make this recipe extra quick and easy. But, if you’re up for the task, go ahead and whip up a homemade sauce – I’ll cheer you on!

Grated Cheese – Mozzarella cheese is the most common pizza topping, but there are plenty of other tasty options out there! I used a freshly grated goat cheese with a lower lactose content, because I’m sensitive to dairy. But feel free to use any kind of grated cheese you’d like! A freshly grated parmesan, provolone, or pecorino romano all taste amazing!

pizza smashed potatoes on a plate with beer on the side.

Tips and Tricks

  • Avoid over-boiling your baby potatoes in the first step. Over-boiling/cooking will make them too soft, and they won’t hold their shape when smashed. Therefore, boil potatoes until just fork tender, then strain!
  • You can make these pizza smashed potatoes in the air fryer! To do that, follow the recipe up to the point of roasting. Then, instead of roasting them in the oven, cook them in the air fryer at 400° Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
  • Prep this recipe ahead of time, then pop it in the oven 20 minutes before serving! This is a great game day, potluck, or dinner party app. It’s super hands off, and everyone LOVES them!
holding up a pizza smashed poatoes.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Vegan/Dairy-Free: For vegan pizza smashed potatoes, replace the cheese with your favorite vegan/non-dairy cheese. Or, sprinkle with nutritional yeast and leave the cheese out altogether!

Pizza Smashed Potatoes

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: AppetizersDifficulty: Easy
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

45

minutes
Total time

50

minutes

Irresistibly crispy pizza smashed potatoes! I took two of my favorite food groups and combined them into one delicious appetizer. Fun and easy to make, with only a handful of simple ingredients!

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds baby potatoes

  • salt, to taste

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce

  • 1 cup grated cheese (parmesan, asiago, provolone, mozzarella, etc.)

  • pinch of dried oregano

Directions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add in a big pinch of salt and the potatoes. Boil potatoes for about 15-20 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork.
  • Preheat oven to 425° Fahrenheit.
  • Drain potatoes from water and let cool slightly, then transfer to a large baking sheet. Use a bowl, mug, or a heavy glass to smash each potato until they’re about ¼-inch thick.
  • Drizzle potatoes with olive oil, then sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
  • Remove potatoes from oven and top each smashed potato with about 2 teaspoons of sauce and a tablespoon of grated cheese. Then, finish each potato off with a sprinkling of dried oregano, and roast for an additional 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days! To reheat, either microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or put them back in the oven for 5-7 minutes.

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The viral Jennifer Aniston salad is super easy to make! Loaded with fresh ingredients – cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta – all tossed in simple lemon dressing. It’s not just healthy, but totally delicious too!

overhead image of Jennifer Aniston salad with pistachios and dressing on the side.

Jennifer Aniston recently described her perfect salad as, “bulgur wheat, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and pistachios.” And OMG the internet went CRAZY for it! Recipes similar to the salad the Friends actress described quickly popped up all over TikTok. The Jennifer Aniston salad went viral. So, as a foodie and fellow salad-lover, I had to give it a try for myself.

My version of the salad contains everything Jennifer described – bulgur wheat, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and pistachios – my only addition is a simple lemon, olive oil, salt, and black pepper dressing. Since Jen didn’t offer up a dressing herself, this is what I envisioned a salad like this being tossed in. And let me tell you, it TOTALLY lived up to the hype!

Dressing being poured over the Jennifer Aniston salad.

What You’ll Need to Make the Jennifer Aniston Salad

Bulgur Wheat or Quinoa – In keeping this super authentic to Jen’s recipe, I used bulgur wheat in my salad. However, bulgur wheat can be hard to come by, so I also offer up the option to use quinoa instead. Both are hearty, protein-rich, super nutritious grains. Never had bulgur wheat? It’s most similar to farro or barley, but smaller grain. Bulgur wheat has a nice nutty flavor, and will keep you full without feeling weighed down.

Garbanzo Beans/Chickpeas – What’s the difference between garbanzo beans and chickpeas? Literally nothing! They’re two names for the exact same thing. Jennifer Aniston called them “garbanzo beans,” but I call them “chickpeas,” so that’s what we’re sticking with. Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein, especially in this salad recipe!

Feta Cheese – Greek brined white cheese, made from sheep’s milk. Feta adds the perfect salty bite to this salad! And because it’s made with sheep’s milk, it has a lower lactose content. Meaning, those whoe are lactose intolerant (aka ME!), may have an easier time tolerating feta cheese. I, personally, can enjoy it in small amounts without any issue. However, if you can’t tolerate feta, or simply need a dairy-free option, check out my “make it vegan” section below!

Parsley and Mint – Don’t skimp on the fresh herbs! Fresh parsley and mint are my favorite parts of this salad. They add a super fresh and vibrant component to this recipe. Therefore, don’t leave ’em out!

close-up overhead image of Jennifer Aniston salad.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Gluten-Free: Yes, bulgur wheat contains gluten. Therefore, opt for quinoa instead of bulgur wheat to make this Jennifer Aniston salad entirely gluten-free.

Make it Vegan/Dairy-Free: For a vegan/dairy-free salad, either leave out the feta cheese, or replace it with your favorite vegan feta. I love the Violife Vegan Feta, it tastes and crumbles just like the real thing!

Jennifer Aniston Salad

4 from 22 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: MainDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

25

minutes

    The viral Jennifer Aniston salad is super easy to make! Loaded with fresh ingredients – cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta – all tossed in simple lemon dressing. It’s not just healthy, but totally delicious too!

    Ingredients

    • For the bulgur wheat/quinoa:
    • 1 cup bulgur wheat or quinoa, dry

    • 2 cups water or vegetable broth

    • For the salad dressing:
    • 1/2 cup olive oil

    • 1/2 cup lemon juice

    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

    • For the salad:
    • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

    • 1 cup English cucumber, chopped

    • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled

    • 1/2 red onion, diced

    • 1/2 cup roasted salted pistachios, roughly chopped

    • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

    • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

    Directions

    • Add either bulgur wheat or quinoa to a small saucepan, along with water or vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat for 12-15 minutes. Once bulgur wheat or quinoa has absorbed all liquid, remove from heat and let stand covered for an additional 5 minutes. Then, remove lid and fluff with a fork.
    • While the bulgur wheat or quinoa cooks, make the salad dressing by adding all ingredients to a bowl and whisking to combine.
    • Add cooked bulgur wheat or quinoa to a large bowl, along with the remaining salad ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and toss, then either serve immediately or let chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

    Recipe Video

    Notes

    • Leaving the salad to chill for a few hours before eating will increase the flavor!
    • Leftover salad will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. No need to store the dressing separately.

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    The BEST of both worlds! Super easy and ultra delicious spinach artichoke hummus. One of my all-time favorite healthy snacks or appetizers!

    overhead image of spinach artichoke hummus with pita, cucumber, and white wine on the side.

    What You’ll Need to Make Spinach Artichoke Hummus

    Chickpeas – I used canned chickpeas, but feel free to soak and boil your own for this recipe. However, canned chickpeas makes things extra easy on you (which I highly recommend!).

    Tahini – Every good hummus recipe has tahini! Never heard of tahini? It’s just ground sesame seeds. It’s also super easy to find at most grocery stores, typically located in the ethnic food aisle. This is the tahini brand I use and love in this spinach artichoke hummus!

    Baby Spinach – Use fresh, not frozen spinach in this healthy snack recipe! Lucky for us, fresh spinach is loaded with good-for-you vitamins and minerals.

    Canned Artichoke Hearts – Either whole or quartered canned artichoke hearts will work. I used these Cento artichoke hearts, and they were delicious. Also, if you have any leftover artichoke hearts, they make a great addition to salads and charcuterie boards!

    pita being dipped into spinach artichoke hummus.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Once you add the spinach and artichokes, pulse the hummus only a few times. Too much pulsing will completely puree the spinach and artichokes. Instead, to achieve that finely chopped texture you get in a spinach artichoke dip, give your food processor just a few quick pulses.
    • Taste the hummus after the first step! This is the best time to adjust/add any seasonings you’d like. For an extra tangy hummus, add in a bit more lemon juice. Or, for a super garlicky hummus, add in another clove or two of garlic.
    • This spinach artichoke hummus dip will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Enjoy it all week long with pita, pita chips, fresh veggies, or simply by the spoonful!
    overhead image of spinach artichoke hummus with pita on the side.

    This Recipe Is…

    Spinach Artichoke Hummus

    5 from 2 votes
    Recipe by Samantha Course: SnacksDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    2

    cups
    Prep time

    5

    minutes
    Cooking time

    0

    minutes
    Total time

    5

    minutes

    The BEST of both worlds! Super easy and ultra delicious spinach artichoke hummus. One of my all-time favorite healthy snacks or appetizers!

    Ingredients

    • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

    • 1/4 cup tahini

    • 1/4 cup olive oil

    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

    • 1 garlic clove, peeled

    • 1/2 teaspoon cumin

    • salt, to taste

    • 1 cup baby spinach

    • 1/2 cup canned artichoke hearts, drained

    Directions

    • Add chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and salt to a food processor. Blend until completely smooth.
    • Add in baby spinach and artichoke heart, pule 5-6 times until spinach and artichokes are finely chopped, then serve.

    Recipe Video

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    The easiest holiday treat of all time – Grinch fruit kabobs! Slide fruit onto skewers and you’ve got yourself a festive snack or dessert. Get the kids involved in this fun Christmas activity!

    grinch fruit kabobs on a plate with green grapes, strawberries, mini marshmallows, and skewers on the side.

    What You’ll Need to Make Grinch Fruit Kabobs

    Green Grapes – Green, not red grapes for this Grinch-themed treat!

    Banana – Slice your banana into 1/2-inch pieces before sliding onto your skewers.

    Strawberries – Hull your strawberries before using in this recipe! That basically just means remove the green leaves on top.

    Mini Marshmallows – The perfect little Santa hat topping!

    hand holding a grinch fruit kabob

    How to Store Them

    • Store these Grinch fruit kabobs in an airtight container in the fridge for one day. They may last longer than a day, but the banana will begin to oxidize and turn brown – not ideal! For best results, I recommend making them right before serving.
    close-up image of grinch fruit kabobs on a plate

    These Grinch Fruit Kabobs Are…

    Grinch Fruit Kabobs

    5 from 1 vote
    Recipe by Samantha Course: Snacks, DessertDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    12

    servings
    Prep time

    5

    minutes
    Cooking time

    0

    minutes
    Total time

    5

    minutes

    The easiest holiday treat of all time – Grinch fruit kabobs! Slide fruit onto skewers and you’ve got yourself a festive snack or dessert. Get the kids involved in this fun holiday activity!

    Ingredients

    • Green grapes

    • Banana, sliced

    • Fresh strawberries, hulled

    • Mini marshmallows

    • Mini skewers or toothpicks

    Directions

    • Slide a grape onto a skewer, about 2-inches down from the top of the skewer.
    • Then, slide a banana slice on top of the grape, followed by a strawberry, followed by a mini marshmallow.
    • Continue this process with remaining ingredients.

    Recipe Video

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