Bowl meals are awesome. They're easy and fun to make, and you can mix in whatever you like. Today, I'm talking about one of my go-to recipes: Ginger-Wasabi Chicken Power Bowls. It's a simple dish but packs a punch with flavour and health benefits. This recipe is all about mixing good taste with good-for-you ingredients. Let's get into why this bowl is not just food but fuel for your body.

Let's break down what's in this bowl. Chicken thighs are great for protein, helping to keep your muscles happy. Veggies like red cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers aren't just for colour; they're full of vitamins and fibre, which are great for your health. Wasabi and ginger add a nice kick and are good for inflammation and digestion. Plus, the oils I'm using are the good kind of fats that your body needs. This bowl is about getting a lot of the good stuff without sacrificing taste.

Ginger-Wasabi Chicken Power Bowls

 (Servings 4)

Ingredients: 

For the Rice:
• 2 cups of your favourite rice (basmati, jasmine, or brown rice work great)
• 3 cups water (adjust according to the type of rice you're using)

Chicken:
• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
• ½ cup Braggs All Purpose Soy Seasoning or gluten-free soy sauce
• 3 tbsp unseasoned rice wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 2 tsp wasabi powder
• 1 tsp ground ginger

Veggies:
• ½ small head of red cabbage thinly sliced
• 2 large carrots, diced or thinly sliced
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 4 green onions, sliced
• 1 handful cilantro leaves

Dressing:
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 3 tbsp unseasoned rice wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp Braggs All Purpose Soy Seasoning or gluten-free soy sauce
• 2 tsp maple syrup
• ½ tsp wasabi powder
• ½ tsp ground ginger

Directions:

For the Rice:
1. Start by rinsing your rice under cold water until it runs clear, which helps get rid of extra starch.
2. Then, boil your water in a medium-sized pot, add the rice, lower the heat to a simmer, cover, and let it cook. White rice usually takes about 18-20 minutes, and brown rice around 30-40 minutes.
3. Once done, take it off the heat, keep it covered for 5 more minutes, then fluff it up with a fork.

For the Chicken:
1. In a bowl, mix the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, wasabi powder, and ground ginger. Add the chicken thighs, making sure they're well coated. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight for the best flavour.
2. Heat your grill to medium-high. Oil the grates lightly with oil. Grill the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until it's cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Let it rest for 10 minutes after grilling, then slice it up and place it in a covered dish to keep it warm.

For the Veggies:
1. While the chicken is marinating or cooking, slice and dice all your veggies—cabbage, carrots, cucumber, and green onions—and set them aside. This way, they're ready to go when it's time to assemble the bowls.

For the Dressing:
1. Combine the olive oil, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, wasabi powder, and ground ginger in a jar.
2. Secure the lid and give it a good shake until everything is well mixed.

Assembling the Bowls:
1. Start with a base of rice in each bowl. Then, add the grilled chicken slices and your prepped veggies on top.
2. Drizzle with the dressing you've shaken up, and if you like, sprinkle some sesame seeds over everything for a bit of crunch and cilantro.

And there you have it—a Ginger-Wasabi Chicken Power Bowl that's straightforward and delicious. It's a complete meal with grains, protein, and veggies, perfect for any day of the week. Feel free to play around with the rice type or the veggie mix to suit your taste. Enjoy making it, enjoy eating it, and most importantly, enjoy the feeling of serving up something wholesome and satisfying.

Do you have any tweaks or thoughts on this recipe? I'd love to hear them. Sharing what works for you helps everyone improve at making healthy and tasty meals. Let's chat if you're looking for more ideas on eating well and keeping it real. Drop a comment below or message me directly. Let's make eating well something we all can do, no stress or fancy stuff needed.