Harvest Bowl: Experience a symphony of autumn flavors with our mouth-watering Harvest Bowl, featuring savory garlic-herb chicken, perfectly grilled butternut squash, fluffy brown rice, and a refreshing kale salad, all generously drizzled with a sweet and tangy honey-Dijon sauce.

The Ultimate Harvest Bowl: A Flavorful and Healthy Autumn Delight

As the crisp air of autumn settles in and leaves begin to change their hues, our cravings naturally shift towards warm, comforting, yet nutritious meals. This year, the Harvest Bowl has effortlessly become my absolute go-to, transforming weeknight dinners into an exciting culinary adventure. The secret? A new grill that has ignited a passion for outdoor cooking, proving that grilling isn’t just for summer barbecues!

This recipe emerged from a simple experiment: grilling butternut squash. What started as a curious attempt quickly turned into a revelation. Forget the oven; grilling butternut squash caramelizes its natural sugars, creating an incredibly tender interior and a slightly smoky, sweet exterior that’s simply irresistible. And the best part? It cooks in a fraction of the time, making healthy eating even more accessible.

Beyond the star grilled squash, these delightful Harvest Bowls are meticulously crafted with seasoned grilled garlic-herb chicken, a vibrant and quick kale salad, and perfectly tender brown rice. Each component brings its unique texture and flavor, creating a harmonious medley that celebrates the bounty of the season. To tie it all together, a generous drizzle of our homemade, utterly irresistible honey-Dijon sauce elevates the entire dish, ensuring every spoonful is pure fall goodness. Prepare to fall in love with this nutritious and flavor-packed autumn staple!

Choosing Your Wholesome Grain: Beyond Brown Rice

While I typically anchor these exquisite Harvest Bowls with wholesome brown rice, the beauty of a bowl recipe lies in its adaptability. Brown rice offers a fantastic nutty flavor and chewy texture, along with a wealth of fiber and essential nutrients, making it an excellent choice for a healthy meal. However, feel free to explore other grains to suit your preference or dietary needs.

Consider these nutritious alternatives to customize your ultimate Harvest Bowl:

• White rice or Basmati rice: For a lighter, softer texture that still absorbs flavors beautifully.
• Quinoa: A complete protein, quinoa adds a fluffy yet slightly firm texture and a mild, earthy flavor. It’s also gluten-free!
• Farro: This ancient grain boasts a hearty, chewy texture and a rich, nutty flavor, perfect for a robust fall bowl.
• Barley: Known for its pearly texture and robust flavor, barley is packed with fiber and can add a delightful chewiness.
• For even more inspiration, check out this list of healthy grains to diversify your culinary repertoire!

Whichever grain you choose, ensure it’s cooked to perfection, providing a satisfying foundation for the array of flavors and textures in your Harvest Bowl. The goal is to create a balanced and fulfilling meal that delights your palate and nourishes your body.

Crafting a Quick and Vibrant Kale Salad for Your Harvest Bowl

A fresh, crisp salad is essential to balance the rich flavors of the grilled chicken and squash in our Harvest Bowl. This particular kale salad is not only incredibly quick to prepare but also features a minimal ingredient list, making it an effortless addition to your meal. You’ll use the same delectable honey-Dijon sauce that crowns the entire bowl as its dressing, creating a cohesive flavor profile across the dish. While kale works exceptionally well, complementing the earthy notes of butternut squash and the savory chicken, you can certainly substitute with other types of lettuce if you have a preference, such as spinach or mixed greens.

The key to unlocking kale’s tender potential and transforming it from a fibrous leaf into a delightful salad component lies in a simple, yet crucial technique: massaging the kale. This process breaks down the tough cell walls, making the kale softer, easier to chew, and more palatable, while also enhancing its vibrant green color.

Here’s how to master the art of massaging kale for your Harvest Bowl:

1. Prepare the Kale: Begin by removing any thick, tough stems from the kale leaves. Once stemmed, slice the kale thinly into ribbons or bite-sized pieces.
2. Rinse Thoroughly: Place the sliced kale in a colander and rinse it under cold running water. Alternatively, use a salad spinner to wash and then remove excess water efficiently.
3. The Massage: Transfer the rinsed kale to a large bowl. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the kale. Using your hands, gently but firmly massage the kale for about a minute. You’ll notice the leaves start to soften and turn a darker, more vibrant shade of green. This indicates that the fibers are breaking down.
4. Final Rinse and Dry: After massaging, rinse the kale again to remove the excess salt. It’s important to dry the kale completely, either by spinning it in a salad spinner or patting it dry with paper towels. This ensures that the dressing adheres properly and doesn’t get watered down.

Once massaged, your kale will be wonderfully tender, ready to mingle with the other delicious elements of your salad, providing a fresh, slightly bitter counterpoint to the sweetness of the squash and the richness of the chicken. This simple step truly makes all the difference in enjoying a delightful kale salad!

The Golden Touch: Irresistible Honey-Dijon Sauce for Your Harvest Bowl

No Harvest Bowl would be complete without its crowning glory: the sweet and tangy honey-Dijon sauce. This dressing isn’t just an accompaniment; it’s the magical element that harmonizes all the diverse flavors and textures of the bowl, bringing a burst of autumn sunshine to every bite. What makes it even better is its simplicity – just four core ingredients, plus salt and pepper, blended together in minutes to create a wonderfully creamy and flavorful sauce.

Let’s delve into the star components of this incredible dressing:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar: This is the secret to imparting that distinct, warm “fall flavor.” Its fruity tang provides a bright acidity that cuts through the richness of the other ingredients. It’s crucial to use apple cider vinegar for its unique profile; other vinegars simply won’t achieve the same depth of flavor that complements the autumnal theme of the bowl.
2. Dijon Mustard: For that signature savory, slightly spicy kick, Dijon mustard is indispensable. Its creamy texture and sharp, complex flavor are miles apart from regular yellow mustard or grainy varieties, making it the perfect choice to build the backbone of this sauce.
3. Honey: The sweetness of honey is vital for balancing the sharp notes of the vinegar and mustard. It adds a lovely golden hue and a natural, floral sweetness that enhances the overall taste. Feel free to adjust the amount of honey to your personal preference – a little more can make the sauce extra sweet and delightful.
4. Mayonnaise: To achieve that luxurious, creamy consistency that coats every ingredient beautifully, full-fat mayonnaise is the way to go. It emulsifies the sauce, adding body and a subtle richness without overwhelming the other flavors. Opting for full-fat ensures the best texture and mouthfeel.

Once these ingredients are blended to smooth perfection, season the sauce generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. The result is a vibrant, versatile sauce that not only dresses your kale salad but also perfectly complements the grilled chicken and caramelized butternut squash, elevating your Harvest Bowl into a truly unforgettable culinary experience.

Grilled Butternut Squash: A Game-Changer for Your Harvest Bowl

Prepare to revolutionize your perception of butternut squash, because once you taste it off the grill, you’ll never want it prepared any other way for your Harvest Bowl! Grilling transforms this humble fall vegetable, coaxing out its inherent sweetness and developing a delightful caramelization and smoky depth that roasting simply can’t match. The high heat of the grill creates a beautifully tender interior and slightly charred edges that add incredible texture and flavor to your bowl.

Selecting the Perfect Butternut Squash

The journey to perfect grilled butternut squash begins at the market. When choosing your squash, look for one that is solid beige in color, indicating ripeness. Avoid any squash with green patches, which suggests it was picked too early. A good butternut squash should also feel heavy for its size, a sign of dense flesh and moisture content. In North America, the peak season for ripe butternut squash is typically from September through November, making it a quintessential ingredient for fall recipes like our Harvest Bowl. The rind should be hard and unblemished, free from any soft spots or bruising.

Once you’ve selected your perfect squash and armed yourself with a sharp knife, you’re ready to unlock the incredible flavors that grilling can bring to this versatile vegetable. Its grilled sweetness will beautifully complement the savory chicken and tangy dressing in your Harvest Bowl.

Mastering Grilled Chicken for Your Harvest Bowl: Tips for Juiciness and Flavor

Perfectly grilled chicken is a cornerstone of our delicious Harvest Bowl, providing a lean protein source that’s both flavorful and satisfying. Achieving tender, juicy chicken with beautiful grill marks is simpler than you might think, and these tips will help you master the technique for an exceptional meal every time.

• Even Thickness is Key: To ensure your chicken cooks quickly and uniformly, start by slicing larger boneless, skinless chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Then, place them between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness using a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy frying pan. This prevents dry spots and ensures every bite is perfectly cooked, crucial for the quality of your Harvest Bowl.
• Season Generously and Flavorfully: Don’t be shy with seasoning! A robust store-bought chicken grilling blend, such as a garlic-herb blend, adds immense depth of flavor. Mix it with a little olive oil to create a paste that adheres well to the chicken. For an extra kick, a sprinkle of fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano can elevate the taste even further. Don’t hesitate to add more seasoning to your liking, even a little extra after grilling for a final flavor boost.
• Prepare Your Grill Grates: To prevent sticking and achieve those coveted, beautiful sear marks, always ensure your grill grates are clean and well-oiled before adding the chicken. The easiest way to do this is to fold a paper towel, hold it with tongs, dip it in vegetable oil, and carefully rub it over the hot grates. This creates a non-stick surface and helps in achieving perfect caramelization.
• Rest for Juiciness: Patience is a virtue, especially when grilling chicken. Once your chicken breasts are cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C), remove them from the grill and place them on a clean plate. Tent them loosely with aluminum foil and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in incredibly tender and succulent chicken, a vital component for a truly satisfying Harvest Bowl.

By following these simple grilling tips, you’ll consistently achieve perfectly cooked chicken that’s moist, flavorful, and ready to be the star protein in your wholesome Harvest Bowl.

Expand Your Culinary Horizons: More Delicious Grilled Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed the delightful flavors and ease of grilling in this Harvest Bowl recipe, you’re in luck! Grilling offers an incredible array of possibilities for creating vibrant, healthy, and incredibly tasty meals. Here are some more fantastic grilled recipes that are sure to become new favorites in your kitchen:

• Versatile Grilled Chicken Marinade: An all-purpose chicken marinade that guarantees juicy, flavorful chicken every time, perfect for countless meal combinations.
• Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri: Elevate your steak game with a tender grilled flank steak, perfectly paired with a bright and zesty herb sauce.
• Hearty Chicken and Wild Rice: A comforting combination of chicken and wild rice, enhanced with the sweet char of grilled sweet potatoes.
• Sweet Grilled Pineapple: A surprisingly delicious dessert or side, featuring caramelized grilled pineapple with a delightful graham cracker crumble.
• The BEST Grilled Fajita Chicken: Sizzling and flavor-packed fajita chicken with perfectly grilled peppers and onions, a fiesta on your plate!

Embrace the grill and discover how easy it is to infuse your meals with incredible smoky flavors and tender textures. Happy grilling!

Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

4.80 from 5 votes

Harvest Bowl

By Chelsea Lords

This Harvest Bowl is a celebration of fall, featuring succulent garlic-herb chicken, perfectly roasted butternut squash, tender brown rice, and a refreshing kale salad, all crowned with a sweet honey-Dijon sauce.

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings: 4 servings

Video

Equipment

• Grill
• Small blender

Ingredients

Chicken

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 teaspoons chicken grilling seasoning blend (see note 1)
• Salt and pepper

Butternut Squash

• 1 small butternut squash (about 1.5 pounds, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Bowls

• 1 cup brown rice (plus water, 1 tablespoon butter, and 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, see note 2)
• 2 cups thinly sliced kale
• 1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries
• 1/4 cup sliced honey roasted almonds
• 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

Sauce

• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard (not yellow mustard)
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons mayo (regular, full fat)

Instructions

• 1. Prepare brown rice according to package directions (see note 2 for detailed instructions).
• 2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, chicken seasoning, and salt and pepper (I recommend 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, but adjust to your preference). Set aside. Horizontally slice large chicken breasts in half to create thinner cutlets. Cover the chicken with plastic wrap to prevent splatter. Using a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy frying pan, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Using a pastry brush or your hands, thoroughly brush both sides of all chicken pieces with the seasoning and oil blend. Set aside.
• 3. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (400–450°F). Add the chicken to cleaned and greased grill grates (rub grates with an oil-soaked paper towel). Grill for 4–5 minutes per side, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Remove the chicken to a plate and tent it loosely with foil. If desired, sprinkle an extra touch of salt or chicken seasoning on the chicken breasts off the grill. Once rested, thinly slice or chop the chicken breasts.
• 4. Prepare the butternut squash by cutting off both ends and peeling it. Using a very sharp knife, carefully cut the squash into 1/2-inch thick slices. When you encounter sections with seeds, cut around the seedy center with a paring knife and then press the seedy section out to remove it. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, salt, and pepper (to taste; I use 1/4 teaspoon of each). Use a pastry brush to spread the oil mixture evenly over all sides of the squash slices. Grease the grill grates again and add the squash directly to the heated (450°F) grill. Grill for 4–5 minutes per side or until the squash is tender and beautifully caramelized. Remove and chop the grilled squash.
• 5. In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced kale, dried sweetened cranberries, sliced honey roasted almonds, and shaved Parmesan cheese. Toss with a portion of the prepared honey-Dijon sauce (from the next step) until all ingredients are well coated.
• 6. For the sauce, combine all the sauce ingredients in a small blender. Season with salt and pepper to taste (I typically add 1/8 teaspoon salt and a small pinch of pepper). Pulse until all ingredients are well combined and the sauce is smooth. Transfer the prepared sauce to a glass jar and refrigerate until you are ready to use it.
• 7. To assemble your Harvest Bowls, divide equal amounts of brown rice among 4 bowls. Top each with even portions of the sliced grilled chicken and chopped grilled butternut squash. Add an equal share of the kale salad to each bowl. Finish by generously drizzling additional honey-Dijon sauce over all the components. Serve immediately and enjoy the vibrant flavors of fall!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: For the chicken grilling blend, I highly recommend McCormick® chicken grilling blends, specifically the garlic and herb variety. Feel free to adjust the amount of seasoning to your personal taste, or sprinkle extra on the chicken immediately after it comes off the grill for an intensified flavor.

Note 2: To prepare the brown rice, bring 2 1/2 cups of water to a rolling boil in a saucepan. Add the brown rice, 1 tablespoon of butter, and 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt. Stir briefly, then cover the saucepan, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for 45–50 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed and the rice grains are tender. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to stand, still covered, for 10 minutes. Finally, remove the lid, fluff the rice with a fork, and set it aside until ready to assemble your bowls.

Storage: For optimal freshness and ease of meal prep, store the grilled chicken, butternut squash, brown rice, and the honey-Dijon sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. These components will remain fresh and delicious for 3–4 days. It is important to note that the kale salad is best prepared and dressed just before serving, as dressed kale tends to wilt and become soggy if stored for extended periods.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 951 kcal | Carbohydrates: 103 g | Protein: 42 g | Fat: 44 g | Saturated Fat: 8 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 90 mg | Sodium: 606 mg | Potassium: 1306 mg | Fiber: 6 g | Sugar: 38 g | Vitamin A: 12084 IU | Vitamin C: 144 mg | Calcium: 452 mg | Iron: 6 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. For precise dietary needs, please consult a registered dietitian.

Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!