Bringing you these addicting Chicken Tikka Bowls! Crispy bits of chicken tenders, crispy cucumbers, and briny pickled onions, all on a bed of fluffy quinoa with a swoop of cool mint sauce on top. You absolutely cannot go wrong with these bowls.
Crispy Chicken Tikka Bowls with Mint Sauce
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This meal was incredible! We used jasmine rice instead of quinoa because it’s what we had and paired really well with this. Both my husband and I went back for seconds. The combination of flavors is unique and amazing. And the mint sauce totally elevates it. Will definitely be making again!
Natalie
Please make way in your tums and hearts for this terribly addicting, incredibly delicious chicken tikka bowl. Crispy chicken tenders brushed with your favorite tikka masala sauce and roasted to a perfect crisp, fresh cucumber crunch alongside a creamy slaw and some quick pickled onions, all piled on a bed of light, nutty quinoa with a fresh-made drinkable mint sauce that might make you CRY REAL HUMAN TEARS.
It’s here. It’s a go-to lunch/dinner/bedtime snack. It couldn’t be easier and we simply cannot stop eating it. It’s also absolutely flexible and super easy to throw together, so it is very ready to be your new best friend.
This isn’t chicken tikka in the traditional Indian cuisine sense where pieces of marinated chicken are grilled or baked on skewers in a tandoor oven. And it isn’t even full chicken tikka masala, which is a curried version where that chicken tikka then gets simmered in a creamy spiced tomato sauce and served over rice. Instead, we’re borrowing that delicious deeply spiced flavor using our favorite jarred version of masala sauce and giving some easy crispy chicken tenders a little brush and bake. It’s definitely a bit outside the norm, but we are absolutely here for it.
Ingredients You’ll Need To Make These Bowls Happen
The ingredient list is plentiful here, but it’s all bits to add to the flavor parade! And though we’re definitely mixing up that drool-worthy mint sauce from scratch, we’re relying on a lot of pre-made and store-bought for the rest and whoo-boy, you can too!
For the bowl-build:
- crispy breaded chicken (store-bought)
- tikka masala sauce (also store-bought)
- cooked quinoa
- sliced or diced cucumbers
- pickled red onion
- slaw (hi, you guessed it…store-bought mix!)
For the mint sauce:
- fresh mint & cilantro
- mayo or plain Greek yogurt
- salt
- juice of a lime
- garlic
- jalapeño
There are definitely some homemade options for you on the crispy chicken front, the tikka masala sauce, or the slaw, but if you want to get at your lunch/dinner all fast and furious? Well then, grab those chicken tendies from the freezer, crack that sauce jar, rip open that bag of slaw mix, and let’s get to it, ya?
You could even buy a packet of pre-made quinoa and we wouldn’t be mad!
Prefer To Watch Instead Of Read?
Let’s Make Chicken Tikka Bowls
We’re gonna keep this version, our favorite version, reeeeeaaaaaal easy. Some slicing and dicing to maximize your bowl chompiness, a quick sauce zip in the blender, but other than that, this is all pretty much a breeze.
- Crispy Chicken. Cook according to package directions and then brush with the tikka masala sauce and return to oven for an additional 5 minutes.
- Mint Sauce. Throw all the sauce ingredients in the blender/food processor and zip until smooth-ish.
- Bowl Assembly. Layer your quinoa, crispy chicken, slaw, cucumbers, pickled red onions, and then don’t be shy with that mint sauce over the top!
It’s all going to be so beautiful and colorful when you get it together that for just a teeny tiny second you might want to just admire it for a bit but please, we urge you, do not waste any time staring. GET. AT. IT.
Just Can’t Stop Swooning Over These
Like we said, these bowls are super flexible, so if you don’t want to get on the crispy chicken tender train, that’s totally fine! But we can’t be friends. (Just kidding! Maybe.) Regular skillet-seared chicken breasts totally work, too! We’ve also made it with tofu and sweet potato which were also delicious, so you can swap what you love best. Those crispy little frozen chicken fingies tho…cannot recommend enough.
It’s also so wonderful how easy they can be. Lots of pre-made and store-bought options if you’re short on time and patience (us, always), and everything still feels so fresh and flavorful. But there are also ways to really take your time with it and make it your own. Bread and crisp your own chicken? Get at it. Wanna make your own tikka masala sauce? We’ve got a great one here. If you don’t already have some pickled red onions in your fridge, don’t worry. You can super quick toss them in a jar and get them pickling in no time. Then they’re just ready for the other hundred times you’ll inevitably make these bowls this week.
It’s just all our favorite food adjectives in one! It’s crispy, salty, spicy, briny, cool, and creamy. How could you go wrong?! You truly can’t.
Chicken Tikka Bowls: Frequently Asked Questions
I have extra time and would like to make my own of some of these ingredients rather than purchase store-bought items. How can I do that?
Yay! Awesome!
For the chicken, bread chicken breasts in flour and pan-fry them until they get a golden and crispy exterior.
For the slaw, toss a few cups of shredded cabbage and carrots with mayo, vinegar, and salt.
For the tikka masala sauce, check out this recipe for a homemade option.
How do I pickle red onions?
Instructions can be found in the recipe card here! Besides these Chicken Tikka Bowls, other delicious uses for pickled red onions can be on Brussels Sprouts Tacos, Chipotle Quinoa Burgers, or an Arugula Salad with Grapes and Black Pepper Vinaigrette.
How long will my mint sauce stay good for in the fridge?
If you make your mint sauce with yogurt, leftovers should be good for 3-4 days. If you make the sauce with mayo, leftovers should be good for about 1 week. Either way, store leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container or jar.
Crispy Chicken Tikka Bowls with Mint Sauce
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 bowls 1x
Description
Bringing you these addicting Chicken Tikka Bowls! Crispy bits of chicken tenders, crispy cucumbers, and briny pickled onions, all on a bed of fluffy quinoa with a swoop of cool mint sauce on top. You absolutely cannot go wrong with these bowls.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Crispy Chicken Tikka Bowls
- 4 pieces of crispy breaded chicken (homemade option, or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup tikka masala sauce (homemade option, or store-bought)
- 3 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 cucumber, sliced or diced
- pickled red onion
Slaw
- 2 cups shredded coleslaw
- 3 tablespoons mayo
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
Mint Sauce
- 1/4 cup mint leaves
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup mayo or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- juice of a lime
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 hunk of jalapeño
- water to thin the sauce as needed
Instructions
- Cook the chicken according to package directions. Brush with sauce and return to oven for an additional 5 minutes.
- While the chicken is cooking, prep all your other elements (mix your slaw together, slice your cucumbers, etc.).
- For the mint sauce, blend or pulse the ingredients through a food processor to make a smooth-ish sauce.
- Serve bowls with quinoa, slaw, cucumbers, pickled red onions, and sauce over the top. It’s crispy, salty, spicy, briney, cool, and creamy. DROOL.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bowl
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Indian-Inspired
Keywords: chicken tikka bowls, chicken tikka, easy chicken tikka recipe
Looking For More Foods with Big Flavors?
- Chicken Tikka Masala (so delicious and made with a homemade masala sauce)
- Thai Yellow Chicken with Potatoes (over 160 glowing reviews, so you know it’s a good one!)
- Chopped Thai-Inspired Chicken Salad (healthy, fresh, and full of crunchiness)
Filed Under: All Recipes Bowls Dairy-Free Dinner Gluten-Free Lime Main Dishes Meat and Chicken Quick and Easy Quinoa Spring Summer
April 11, 2022
Created By The POY Team
Lindsay Ostrom
Recipe Developer
Eman Kemp
Editorial
Rita Boersma
Writer
Emily Caruso
Videographer
What brand of chicken fingers do you use?
We like to use Aldi crispy chicken strips!
This is the first time in life I’ve ever heard of a food source called “mint sauce.” I must admit that the crispy chicken bowl with sliced cucumber, grated cheese, sliced red onions, what looks like parsley, and mint sauce looks absolutely delicious. 🙂
I LOVE this mint sauce!! It was a perfect complement to the tikka sauce. I had no quinoa in the pantry, so served it over brown rice and it was scrumptious. Thanks for sharing!
Glad to hear it, Glenda!
This was so easy and delicious! I made a couple minor subs, I used half Greek yogurt and half mayo in the sauce. Then I mixed some of the sauce into a bag of broccoli slaw instead of using cole slaw. I kept everything else the same. Highly recommend! Fresh, filling, and all the crunch – my fav!
Simple, fresh, delicious! Thanks.
Absolutely, Nikki! Glad you enjoyed it!
How much is a “hunk” of jalapeño? I’m sure you’d say it varies according to taste…but I don’t even know where to start for a lower-spice tolerant palette!
Also, is there a saved video for this anywhere? I think I saw it on stories, but can’t find it now.
We’d try a half of a jalapeno pepper with the ribs cut out and the seeds removed! We have a Reel video of this posted on Instagram. Here it is!
This looks amazing! What tikka sauce do you recommend?
Hi Molly! Lindsay really likes the Maya Kaimal brand.
This was SO GOOD! And so easy, I used a rotisserie chicken for a super easy swap. Thanks for a great new go-to meal!
Love that swap, McKinzie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Delicious and quick enough for a weeknight if you use the shortcuts. I used popcorn chicken and Maia Kaimal tikka masala simmer sauce. Will make this a lot, I’m sure!
So glad you enjoyed it, Rachel!
Delicious and quick enough for a weeknight if you use the shortcuts. I used popcorn chicken and Maia Kaimal tikka masala simmer sauce. Will make this a lot, I’m sure! Forgot to rate it in my previous comment so adding 5 starts.
This meal was incredible! We used jasmine rice instead of quinoa because it’s what we had and paired really well with this. Both my husband and I went back for seconds. The combination of flavors is unique and amazing. And the mint sauce totally elevates it. Will definitely be making again!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for the review!
This was delicious! Used rice instead of quinoa. Made the Tikka masala sauce from your website and added some dried fenugreek leaves – so good!
SO GOOD POY team!!
🙌 Glad to hear it, Huong!
Yum!! I’ve made this twice now and it’s definitely going to be on regular weeknight rotation. A quick and easy meal with lots of flavour and leftovers make a great lunch the next day!
So glad you enjoyed it, Alicia!
We made this for supper last night and it was very tasty. I think the chicken lost a little of its crispness after brushing the sauce on but it was still yummy. Loved the mint sauce! Thank you!
So delicious and so easy. The mint sauce totally makes it. Definitely adding to the rotation. I didn’t have pickled onions ready so I am definitely looking forward to adding them in next time. Gonna use that leftover mint sauce on something tomorrow (if I don’t lick the bowl clean) because it is divine!
Love the recipe! This is a great meal prep recipe. I prepped the ingredients and then put all the ingredients together each day for a quick meal.
Great idea making this a meal prep recipe! Thanks so much for the comment, Kathryn!
Made this tonight, it was amazing! Any suggestions for other dishes to use the mint sauce with? So good!
I think the mint sauce would be great with any Indian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. A few dishes that come to mind: tandoori-inspired chicken, red curry lentils, street cart fries, or these chickpea bowls
This. Was. So. Good. So good that my oven literally self destructed cooking the chicken. It obviously couldn’t handle the intense flavor, amazing texture, and overall AMAZING meal that this is. If you are like me and went back and forth on whether or not to make this recipe, do yourself a favor and make this life changing bowl! You deserve it! Thanks, POY, you did it again!
Love this meal! I skipped the slaw and used chicken breast as it was what I had on hand. Simple ingredients, fresh flavors, and quick to make. Keeps well in the fridge too. Perfect for meal prep lunches!
This was so yummy and worked well for my two young kids!! But, if you can’t/don’t use the pre-made options for the chicken, tikka masala sauce, and coleslaw, it is not a quick meal! I definitely plan to repeat it, but I’ll likely prep quite a bit the day before so that it’s a bit more streamlined the day of.
I cannot even begin to describe how good this meal is! The different flavors and textures will satisfy just about every craving. I highly recommend the shortcuts.
this was so good, it surpassed my expectations. I used cousous instead of quinoa and for the mint sauce I used half Greek yogurt and half mayo, delicious!
Delightful!
We made this using beyond chicken tenders and it was delicious! my husband isn’t a fan of quinoa so we also substituted cilantro lime rice. we used trader joe’s masala sauce and the mint sauce complimented it perfectly. definitely will make again and again!
Man this looks delicious so delicious! I have a home made Tikka Masada recipe which is my go to when I have friends over so I’ll have to try this.
I had a look at your homemade Masala paste recipe which looks yum too. I like to put corriander powder in mine, and kashmiri chili too for a nice red color.
This was so good we ate it 3 times in a week. I am not a fan of the mint a little too much for me but otherwise it’s delicious. I used bone in the it thighs browned 10min in the paste then added the liquid, lowered heat and cooked maybe 15 min.