Name: Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 8–10 store-bought or homemade falafel; 2 cups cooked rice, couscous, or quinoa; 1 cup chopped cucumber; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/2 cup shredded lettuce or mixed greens; 1/4 cup sliced red onion; 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese; 1/4 cup hummus; 1/4 cup tzatziki or tahini sauce; lemon wedges for serving

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Meet your new favorite meal prep hero: Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls. This vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired dish brings together succulent spiced chicken, golden falafel, and a garden’s worth of fresh toppings—all layered over your favorite grain. Every bite is bursting with color, crunch, and flavor, yet it’s surprisingly quick and fuss-free to make. Whether you’re feeding a family or eating solo for lunch, you’ll love how these bowls check every box: protein-packed, hearty, and endlessly customizable.

Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls keep things delightfully simple, relying on just a handful of staple ingredients—each one essential for building flavor, color, and texture. You likely have most of these in your kitchen already, and together, they shine in every bite!

Chicken thighs or breasts: Tender, juicy, and perfect for soaking up all those vibrant Mediterranean spices.
Olive oil: Gives the chicken a beautiful golden sear and an unmissable richness.
Ground cumin: The earthy backbone that brings warmth to our chicken.
Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky sweetness and that gorgeous hint of color.
Garlic powder: For a mellow, savory punch without any chopping required!
Onion powder: Layers in gentle sweetness for irresistible depth.
Salt: Brightens every flavor and ties the spices together.
Black pepper: Lends a peppery edge to balance all those rich notes.
Falafel: Store-bought or homemade, these are the crispy, herby stars that deliver classic Mediterranean flavor.
Cooked rice, couscous, or quinoa: Your base for building the bowls—go with what you love or what you have on hand.
Chopped cucumber: Brings a refreshing, cool crunch to every spoonful.
Cherry tomatoes: Sweet, juicy bursts that add vibrant color and flavor.
Shredded lettuce or mixed greens: Layers in lightness and freshness.
Sliced red onion: For a tangy zip and pretty, punchy color.
Crumbled feta cheese: Creamy, salty crumbles for some Mediterranean richness.
Hummus: Nutty, velvety, and an absolute must for silkiness.
Tzatziki or tahini sauce: Choose your favorite for a drizzle of tang and creaminess.
Lemon wedges: The finishing flourish of zesty brightness.

How to Make Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls

Step 1: Season and Marinate the Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized pieces then toss them in a bowl with olive oil, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Coat every piece generously—this five-minute marination packs a serious punch of Mediterranean flavor, no long soak needed!

Step 2: Cook the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add your seasoned chicken. Stir occasionally so every piece browns beautifully on the outside while cooking through—this takes just 6 to 8 minutes. The kitchen will smell incredible! Once the chicken is golden and cooked through, set it aside.

Step 3: Warm or Crisp the Falafel

If you’re using store-bought falafel, warm it according to the package directions. For a little extra crunch, reheat them in a skillet for a few minutes until they’re crisp on the edges. Homemade falafel? Even better—the oven or skillet method will work here too.

Step 4: Assemble the Bowl Base

Spoon your cooked rice, couscous, or quinoa into four bowls, spreading evenly. This is the foundation for your Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls and helps soak up all those sauces and juices.

Step 5: Pile On Chicken, Falafel, and Toppings

Time to pile on the goodness! Divide the chicken and falafel between bowls, then scatter over the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, lettuce or greens, red onion, and crumbled feta. Don’t be shy—more color means more flavor.

Step 6: Add Sauces and Garnish

Nestle generous spoonfuls of hummus and your choice of tzatziki or tahini sauce on top. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over everything—this is the secret to brightness. Now all that’s left is to grab a fork and dig in!

How to Serve Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls

Garnishes

Garnishes are the easiest way to make your Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls not only look stunning but taste even more vibrant. Sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or dill, add a handful of toasted seeds, or layer on pickled onions for a punchy twist. Don’t forget a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil or the final sprinkle of feta.

Side Dishes

These bowls are hearty on their own, but they pair perfectly with warm pita bread, a classic Greek salad, or roasted vegetables. Want a complete Mediterranean feast? Serve with tabbouleh or a simple cup of lentil soup for extra texture and nutrition.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls into a DIY bar for guests—let everyone customize their bowl with toppings and sauces. Or, serve everything family-style on a big platter for a gorgeous, interactive table centerpiece. For meal prep, pack each component separately and assemble fresh for lunch at work.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers are a dream with Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls! Store the cooked chicken, falafel, grains, and veggies in individual containers in the fridge. Hummus and sauces should also be stored separately to keep everything fresh and prevent sogginess. Most components will stay delicious for up to 4 days.

Freezing

Both the spiced chicken and falafel freeze beautifully. Portion them out in freezer-safe bags or containers. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge. Note: fresh veggies and greens don’t freeze well, so add those just before serving for the best texture and crunch.

Reheating

For quick lunches or dinners, reheat chicken and falafel in the microwave or gently warm them in a skillet for restored crispness. To keep grains fluffy, sprinkle them with a tiny splash of water before microwaving. Assemble your bowl with fresh toppings and sauces for that just-made vibrancy.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking my own?

Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is an amazing shortcut—just shred or chop, toss with the spices and a splash of olive oil, and warm it up before adding to your Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls.

Is there a substitute for falafel if I don’t have any?

If you can’t find falafel, crispy chickpeas or baked veggie patties work in a pinch. The key is something with crunchy, herby flavor to replace the classic falafel texture.

What other grains can I use for the base?

These bowls are endlessly adaptable: try brown rice, farro, bulgur, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter option. Pick your favorite and build your Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls exactly how you like them!

Are these bowls good for meal prep?

Yes, these are fantastic for meal prep! Store components separately and assemble just before eating to keep everything fresh and flavorful. Perfect for make-ahead lunches or busy weeknight dinners.

Can I make this vegetarian or vegan?

Definitely—just skip the chicken and double up on the falafel. Swap feta for a vegan cheese or sprinkle on some nutritional yeast, and use plant-based yogurt in your sauce for easy vegan Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a foolproof, flavor-packed dinner that comes together in minutes and wows every time, these Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls truly deliver. With loads of color, crunch, and room to make them your own, they’re destined to become a regular in your dinner (or lunch!) rotation. Give them a try—you’ll love having such a fresh, filling meal at your fingertips, any night of the week!

Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls Recipe

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4.9 from 5 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Easy Chicken Falafel Bowls are a delicious and nutritious Mediterranean-inspired meal that comes together quickly. Tender spiced chicken, crispy falafel, and a variety of fresh toppings are served over a bed of grains, making for a satisfying and flavorful dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Additional Ingredients:

8–10 store-bought or homemade falafel
2 cups cooked rice, couscous, or quinoa
1 cup chopped cucumber
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup shredded lettuce or mixed greens
1/4 cup sliced red onion
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup hummus
1/4 cup tzatziki or tahini sauce
lemon wedges for serving

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked.
Prepare the Falafel: Warm the falafel according to package directions or pan-fry until crisp.
Assemble the Bowls: Divide the rice or grain base between bowls. Top with cooked chicken, falafel, cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, and feta. Add dollops of hummus and tzatziki or tahini, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.