This Healthy Chicken Rice Bowl Costs Just $1 — Easy, Delicious & Packed with Nutrition

A healthy meal doesn't have to cost a lot. Just like this healthy chicken rice bowl that costs a little over one dollar yet is full of nutrition delicious, extremely easy to make, and most importantly safe because it's homemade. Now let's begin with the first step cooking the rice. Prepare about two cups of rice which costs around 73 cents. This amount is enough and suitable for about five to six servings. It will be the main part of the meal. So it's worth paying a little attention to this step. Place the rice into the rice cooker and rinse it with water. Gently swirl it with your hand then pour off the cloudy water. Repeat this process two to three times until the water becomes clearer. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming too sticky. After rinsing added clean water using an equal ratio of water to rice. If you're not sure you can use a simple method by placing your finger into the pot. When the water level reaches just below your first knuckle after touching the rice you have the right amount. Close the lid. Turn on the rice cooker and wait until the rice is fully cooked. While the rice is cooking you can prepare the chicken the main source of protein in this dish. For this recipe I like to use boneless skinless chicken thighs. They are easy to work with. This cut stays tender and juicy even if you cook it a little longer. Unlike chicken breast which can become dry when overcooked. This portion costs about $1.35 for 500 grams and provides a good amount of protein around 250 to 300 calories depending on the portion size. Next place the chicken on a baking tray. Lightly brush or spray a thin layer of oil over the surface to prevent sticking and help it cook evenly. Then season both sides with a small amount of salt. Since we will add sauce later it's best to keep the seasoning light at this stage. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. About 190 degrees Celsius. Then place the chicken inside and bake for about 30 to 35 minutes. The chicken should cook gently developing a light golden color on the outside while staying soft and juicy on the inside. Next let's make a light spicy sauce to make the chicken more flavorful. I use one jalapeno or a red Fresno chili. Remove the seeds then finely chop them. This will create a gentle heat without being too strong. The cost for this is about 15 cents. Next add to a small pot. Six tablespoons of soy sauce about 12 cents. Four tablespoons of rice vinegar about 10 cents. And two tablespoons of honey about 30 cents. Place the pot on the stove, add the chopped chili and cook over medium heat until it comes to a gentle boil so the flavors can blend together. While the mixture is heating prepare a simple slurry by mixing one teaspoon of cornstarch with two teaspoons of water. When the sauce starts to boil pour in the slurry and stir gently until it thickens into a smooth glossy glaze. Turn off the heat. Then add two cloves of finely chopped garlic about four cents. Adding the garlic at the end helps keep the flavor mild and prevents bitterness. This sauce is perfect for brushing onto the chicken after baking. It adds a light sweetness, a touch of heat and a rich balanced flavor. Next let's prepare the vegetables to add freshness and balance to your dish. Start with two crowns of broccoli which cost about one dollar and 20 cents in total. Cut them into small even bite sized pieces so they cook evenly. Then add about half a bag of edamame which costs around 50 cents. This combination gives you both fiber and plant based protein. Heat a pan over medium heat and add a little oil. When the pan is hot add the broccoli and edamame. Let them sit for a few minutes without stirring so they can develop a light char. This step gives the vegetables a lightly roasted flavor and makes them more delicious. After that gently toss everything in season with a pinch of salt. Continue cooking for a few more minutes stirring occasionally until the broccoli is tender but still slightly crisp. Turn off the heat and add a little fresh lemon juice about 15 cents. This adds brightness and helps bring all the flavors together. These vegetables should stay crisp and fresh creating a nice balance with the other ingredients in your bowl. Next is a quick pickled carrot to add a light fresh touch to the dish. Start by preparing a simple mixture with about three tablespoons of vinegar around eight cents, 1.5 tablespoons of water, a small pinch of salt and about one teaspoon of sugar. Stir everything together until mostly dissolved. Then take one to two carrots totaling about 15 cents. Peel them then use a peeler to shave them into thin strips so they can absorb the seasoning more easily. Add the carrots to the mixture and toss gently. Let them sit for a few minutes to develop a light tangy flavor. These quick pickled carrots will add freshness, a slight crunch and help balance the richness of the chicken and sauce. To make your rice bowl more varied and appealing you can prepare a little green onion about three cents and slice it into thin rounds. The green onion adds a fresh light flavor that helps enhance the whole dish. Next use half an avocado which costs about 40 cents. Peel it and cut it into even pieces. The avocado adds a smooth, creamy texture and a rich flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients. You can also add a pinch of salt or a few drops of lemon juice to enhance the taste and keep it fresh. Once the chicken is fully cooked, take it out of the oven and brush a generous layer of the glaze over the top. Make sure each piece is evenly coated so the flavor spreads nicely. Then place the chicken back into the oven under the broil setting for about one to three minutes. Keep a close eye on it during this step because the glaze can caramelize quickly. This short final step helps create a light glossy coating on the outside with slightly charred edges that add extra depth of flavor. The sauce will cling to the surface and form a gentle caramelized layer making the chicken look more appealing and taste richer. Once done, take it out and let it rest briefly. Now the chicken is ready to be sliced and added to your bowl. Once everything is ready, let's assemble a beautiful chicken rice plate. Start with the rice that has just finished cooking, fluff it gently and you'll see. It is soft and slightly sticky. Take a plate and add a layer of warm rice as the base using about two to three spoonfuls which costs around 25 cents. Next slice the chicken and place about two pieces neatly on top costing about 60 cents. Then add about 100 grams of cooked vegetables around 40 cents followed by the quick pickled carrots for a light tangy flavor. Arrange a few slices of avocado around the bowl about 40 cents and finally sprinkle some chopped green onions on top. In total, this plate costs about $1.80 to $2.00 depending on the ingredients you choose. In terms of nutrition, it provides around 500 to 650 calories giving you a balanced combination of protein, healthy carbohydrates and fats. And just like that, you have a perfect rice plate full of color and nutrition. Let's enjoy the result together. Try a bite of the chicken first. It's tender and juicy with a light sweetness and a gentle aroma that makes it very delicious. When paired with the warm soft rice, it feels comforting and well balanced. The vegetables add a nice contrast. The broccoli keeps a slight crunch while the avocado brings a smooth creamy texture. On top of that, the quick pickled carrots add a light tang that helps balance the richness of the dish. Overall, this dish has a wonderful combination of textures and flavors. It feels complete, simple and very enjoyable to eat. And that's your simple healthy chicken rice meal, easy to make, budget friendly and full of flavor. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a healthy meal that is quick time saving and safe to prepare at home. I hope this recipe gives you helpful ideas for your daily meals. If you enjoyed this video, don't forget to like, share and subscribe to Tracy Tips for more simple cooking ideas. Thank you so much for watching and I'll see you in the next video.