Can I use something other than quinoa as the base?

Yes. Rice, farro, or cauliflower rice all work well. Cauliflower rice is the best swap if you want to lower the carbs even further while keeping the protein content high in your pizza protein bowl.

My bowl turned out soggy. What happened?

The most likely cause is adding the pizza sauce too early. Always assemble right before eating. If prepping ahead, keep the sauce in a separate container and spoon it on just before serving.

Can I freeze any part of this recipe?

Freeze only the cooked quinoa and shredded chicken in separate freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months. The fresh toppings and cheese don't freeze well. Thaw overnight in the fridge and assemble fresh the next day.

Pizza Protein Bowl - Benefitiany

Name: Pizza Protein Bowl
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup cooked quinoa (or sub cauliflower rice for lower carbs); 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded; 1/2 cup pizza sauce, sugar-free recommended; 1/4 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded; 1/4 cup bell peppers, any color, diced; 1/4 cup red onion, diced; 1/4 cup black olives, sliced; 1 tablespoon mini pepperonis; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)

Pizza Protein Bowl

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All the bold, cheesy flavors of pizza in a high-protein bowl. Made with quinoa, shredded chicken, pizza sauce, mozzarella, and fresh toppings. A satisfying low-carb alternative ready in 30 minutes.

Author: Sarah Mae Carter
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 1 bowl 1x
Category: Lunch, Dinner
Method: Stovetop, Microwave
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup cooked quinoa (or sub cauliflower rice for lower carbs)
1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded
1/2 cup pizza sauce, sugar-free recommended
1/4 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup bell peppers, any color, diced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1/4 cup black olives, sliced
1 tablespoon mini pepperonis
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)

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Instructions

Cook quinoa according to package directions, using low-sodium broth for extra flavor if desired. This takes about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Cook chicken breast by baking at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or boiling until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Shred while warm using two forks. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Rotisserie chicken can be used to skip this step.
Spoon cooked quinoa into a large serving bowl and spread evenly as the base.
Layer shredded chicken over the quinoa. Spoon pizza sauce evenly over the chicken to coat like a pizza base.
Add diced bell peppers, red onion, and sliced black olives over the sauce.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and mini pepperonis over the top.
Season with Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes. For melted cheese, microwave assembled bowl for 30-60 seconds. Serve immediately.

Notes

Always assemble the bowl right before eating or store components separately to prevent a soggy base.
Store all components in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Add cheese just before serving.
For a vegetarian version, swap chicken with chickpeas or a plant-based protein.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 720 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 42 g
Cholesterol: 105 mg

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/pizza-protein-bowl/