Buddha Bowls with Peanut Sauce

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Buddha Bowls with Peanut Sauce combine various nutritious and colorful ingredients arranged in a single bowl and topped with a velvety peanut sauce. This version starts with cauliflower rice and regular rice and is then topped with fresh veggies, shredded chicken, pickled red onions, and crunchy peanuts.

Two rice bowls with chicken, veggies, pickled red onions, and Thai peanut sauce.

Best Buddha Bowls

Do you ever leave a restaurant and wonder how to recreate a meal you’ve just eaten? I do this all the time. While this may not surprise you (because duh, I’m a foodie to the nth degree), I’m going to try to convince you that you can make a Buddha bowl that is restaurant quality.

Yes, sometimes we call Buddha bowls other things – like rice bowls, burrito bowls, taco bowls, veggie bowls, hippie bowls, or a variety of other names. To me, they’re a lot the same but different too. But one thing is true – they are DELISH!

Why This Recipe Works:

COLORFUL – Using different vegetables is a great way to add color to a buddha bowl.
CUSTOMIZABLE – The best part of these is the versatility of the ingredients. Real foods your way.
FULL OF NUTRIENTS – To up the health factor, use whole grains and lots of veggies for a more nutritious bowl. However, don’t skimp on the delicious peanut sauce!

Try our Spicy Peanut Noodles next!

Closeup on a buddha bowl with peanut sauce on top.

Buddha Bowl Ingredients:

If you’re on a low-carb diet, feel free to skip the regular rice and use cauliflower rice as the base.

Frozen Cauliflower Rice – Make according to package directions. We like to add some olive oil to the rice as it cooks.
Regular Rice – Use either white rice or brown rice.
Chicken – We like the ease of using rotisserie chicken. You can also use another protein of your choice.
Fresh veggies – A combo of carrots, cucumber, microgreens, and avocado.
Pickled Red Onions – Or use regular red or green onions.
Peanuts – Some crunch is always a good idea for added texture.
Thai Peanut Sauce – We use a slightly spicy peanut sauce to top our favorite Buddha bowls!

How to make the Best Buddha Bowls with Spicy Peanut Sauce:

Step 1
Make peanut sauce. In a small bowl, combine the simple peanut sauce ingredients – the peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil (regular and toasted), rice vinegar, fish sauce, chili sauce, lime zest, and sugar. Add cold water to thin as desired. Whisk to combine.

Alternatively, you could use a food processor for an even smoother consistency.

Labeled peanut sauce ingredients in small bowls.

Overhead view of a short jar of Thai peanut sauce.

Step 2
Make rice. Make both the cauliflower rice and regular rice according to package directions. We enjoy the combo but using just one is great too!

Step 3
Prep chicken. We love using rotisserie chicken for these simple Buddha bowls. You could also use any leftover chicken.

NOTE: Shrimp and salmon are other favorite proteins to enjoy in these Buddha bowls.

Step 4
Prep veggies. Use a sharp knife to slice the cucumbers. Shred carrots with a shredder or potato peeler. Slice avocado right before assembling the bowls.

NOTE: Make the pickled red onions ahead of time for this meal. We love adding them to many other meals too – like salads, sandwiches, tacos, and any bowl recipes.

Step 5
Assemble Buddha bowls. Use individual serving bowls and assemble. Start with rice (cauliflower or regular), shredded chicken, cucumbers, carrots, sprouts, pickled red onions (or use regular onion), sliced avocado, and peanuts. Then drizzle the spicy peanut dressing over the top of the bowl and some extra black pepper!

PRO-TIP: I recommend doubling the recipe and using it for meal prep. Add the layers of ingredients to separate containers with lids and enjoy all week long.

Two buddha bowls before adding the peanut sauce.

Make Your Own Buddha Bowls:

One of the appealing aspects of Buddha bowls is their versatility. You can customize them based on your dietary preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand. I often use different proteins and veggies. Here are a few other delicious combinations.

Start with rice, cauliflower rice, fluffy quinoa, farro, bulgar, etc.
Add fresh vegetables – cucumber, carrots, bell pepper, kale, spinach, onions, zucchini, purple cabbage, sweet potatoes, or anything you like.
Add proteins like chicken, beef, seafood, crispy tofu, or beans.
Other additions include fruit, nuts, crispy chickpeas, or seeds.
Pickled veggies are another great addition.
Top with a good amount of sauce or dressing.

Need more bowl recipe inspiration? Try our Chicken Hummus Bowls, Carne Asada Burrito Bowls, and Chipotle Chicken Fajita Bowls!

Side view of a Buddha bowl with chicken, veggies, and a spicy peanut sauce.

Recipe FAQs:

What is the concept of a Buddha bowl?

The concept behind a Buddha bowl is to create a well-rounded meal that provides a mix of essential nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. The term “Buddha bowl” is believed to reflect the idea of balance and abundance, similar to the teachings of mindfulness and moderation often associated with Buddhism.

Can I make the Buddha bowl vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, you can eliminate certain foods to make this bowl perfect for you.

How do I make these into grain bowls?

To make these grain bowls, use quinoa, farro, bulgar, or another grain of your choice.

A buddha bowl with a spoon on top and peanut sauce.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

xoxo ~Sue