Peanut Chickpea Rice Bowl (Printable)

Hearty brown rice bowl with chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and zesty peanut dressing for a satisfying meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup brown rice
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Legumes & Nuts

04 - 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
05 - 1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 cup shredded carrot
07 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
08 - 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
09 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
10 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, optional

→ Peanut Dressing

11 - 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
12 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
13 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
14 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice
15 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
16 - 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water
17 - 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
18 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
19 - Pinch of chili flakes, optional

# Directions:

01 - Rinse brown rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes until tender. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
02 - While rice cooks, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and chili flakes in a small bowl. Add warm water gradually until the dressing reaches a pourable consistency.
03 - Shred the carrot and cabbage, thinly slice cucumber and scallions, and roughly chop cilantro if using.
04 - Divide cooked rice among four bowls. Top each with chickpeas, peanuts, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, and scallions.
05 - Drizzle generously with peanut dressing. Garnish with cilantro and extra peanuts if desired. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for a refreshing cold bowl later.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and tastes like you actually planned dinner instead of improvising at the last minute.
  • The peanut dressing is genuinely addictive, the kind of thing you'll find yourself spooning straight from the bowl.
  • Every component is packed with real protein and fiber, so you'll actually feel satisfied hours later instead of hungry again by 8pm.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice, because that starch coating is what makes it stick together instead of stay fluffy.
  • The dressing thickens as it cools, so make it slightly thinner than you think is right, and it'll be perfect by the time you eat it.
03 -
  • Toast your chickpeas with a little oil and spices in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes and they'll be crispy enough to convince anyone they're the main event.
  • Make the dressing with tahini instead of peanut butter if you want something more subtle, and use lime juice instead of vinegar for a brighter finish.
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