If there’s one thing I love, it’s a meal that checks all the boxes: quick to make, high in protein, and loaded with flavor. This BBQ Ranch Chicken Bowl is all of that and more.
Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, throwing together a quick lunch, or looking for something the whole family will love, this bowl has you covered.
The best part? It’s completely customizable. You can switch up the toppings, use what you have on hand, and still end up with a balanced, satisfying meal that fuels your goals.
Let's make it happen!
3 Reasons Why You’ll Love This Recipe
1.) It Packs a Serious Protein Punch: With 42g of protein per serving, this recipe is a dream for anyone trying to hit their protein goals. Between the crispy chicken filet and creamy cottage cheese, you’re getting two powerhouse proteins in one bowl. No need to rely on endless protein shakes or bars to fill the gap – this recipe has you covered.
2.) BBQ + Ranch = Flavor Heaven: If you’ve ever dipped BBQ boneless wings into ranch dressing, you already know how epic this combo is. The smoky sweetness of the BBQ sauce paired with the creamy tang of ranch creates a flavor explosion in every bite. Trust me, you’ll want to make this again and again.
3.) It’s Effortless to Make: Short ingredient list? Check. Simple steps? Check. This is the kind of recipe that’s so easy you’ll have it memorized after one try. No complicated prep or endless instructions—just a quick, delicious meal you can whip up anytime. (But we’re always here if you want to browse for more recipes!)
Ingredients You'll Need
This High Protein BBQ Ranch Chicken Bowl is packed with flavor and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring it together:
- 1 Just Bare Chicken Filet (or similar): These crispy, high-protein filets are perfect for quick meals. Feel free to use your favorite breaded chicken filet if Just Bare isn’t available.
- ½ cup Low-Fat Cottage Cheese: I love Good Culture brand for its creamy texture and high protein content, but any low-fat cottage cheese will work.
- 2 tbsp Ranch Dressing: Bolthouse Farms Ranch is light, flavorful, and keeps the macros on point.
- 2 tbsp BBQ Sauce: G. Hughes BBQ sauce is my go-to for that smoky-sweet flavor without all the added sugar.
- 2 tbsp Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Reduced Fat): A little cheese goes a long way to add richness and balance to the dish.
These ingredients are simple, accessible, and perfect for creating a quick, delicious, and macro-friendly meal you’ll want to make on repeat.
How to Make
This recipe is quick, easy, and packed with flavor. Here’s how to make it:
Step 1: Cook the Chicken Filet
Cook your chicken filet in the air fryer at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until fully cooked. Once done, chop it into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
Step 2: Mix the Cottage Cheese and Ranch
In a small bowl, stir together the cottage cheese and ranch dressing until well combined.
Step 3: Assemble Your Bowl
Add the cottage cheese mixture to your serving dish as the base. Top it with the chopped chicken, drizzle with BBQ sauce, and sprinkle on the shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 4: Heat It Up
Place the assembled dish in the microwave and heat for 60 seconds, or until warm. Stir everything together and enjoy!
This recipe takes just 20 minutes to make and delivers big on flavor and nutrition. Perfect for busy days or when you need a high-protein meal in a pinch!
Tips for Making the Perfect BBQ Ranch Chicken Bowl
Here are a few tips to make this recipe even easier and more delicious:
- Switch Up the Protein: If you don’t have Just Bare chicken filets, feel free to use any cooked chicken you have on hand, like grilled chicken breast or rotisserie chicken. You could also swap in air-fried tofu or plant-based chicken for a vegetarian option.
- Customize the Flavors: Not a fan of BBQ sauce or ranch? Try using a chipotle mayo or buffalo sauce for a different flavor profile. You can also adjust the amounts of each ingredient to suit your taste.
- Make It Meal-Prep Friendly: Cook several chicken filets at once and store them in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, assemble your bowl in under two minutes for a quick, high-protein meal.
- Add More Veggies: If you want to boost the fiber and micronutrients, throw in some chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, or roasted veggies like bell peppers or zucchini.
- Experiment with Cheese Options: While reduced-fat cheddar works perfectly here, you could try shredded mozzarella, pepper jack, or even a sprinkle of parmesan for a twist.
These tips make it easy to adapt this recipe to your preferences while staying macro-friendly and delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can prepare the chicken in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, assemble your bowl, microwave it, and enjoy. It’s a perfect meal-prep option for busy weekdays.
No problem! You can bake the chicken filet in the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or pan-fry it on the stovetop until fully cooked and crispy.
If you have any leftovers, store the components separately in airtight containers. This keeps the chicken crispy and the other ingredients fresh. Assemble and heat when you’re ready to eat.
Of course! Use whatever BBQ sauce or ranch dressing you love. Just keep in mind that the macros may vary slightly depending on the brand.
Conclusion
This High Protein BBQ Ranch Chicken Bowl is everything you need in a quick and satisfying meal. It’s loaded with flavor, packed with 38g of protein, and so easy to make that it’ll quickly become one of your go-to recipes. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or need a last-minute dinner idea, this recipe checks all the boxes.
The best part? It’s completely customizable. You can swap ingredients, add your favorite toppings, or tweak the flavors to match your cravings. It’s all about making healthy eating enjoyable and stress-free.
What's Next?
If you love simple, high-protein recipes like this one, you’ll love the FHM+ App! With exclusive recipes and strength training workouts, it’s designed to help you hit your goals while making life easier.
We’d love to hear from you! Rate this recipe below and share your thoughts in the comments. Did you make any fun tweaks or try a new topping? Let us know how it turned out – your feedback inspires us and the entire FHM community.
Enjoy your BBQ Ranch Chicken Bowl!
You may also love our high protein BBQ chicken kabobs recipe!
High Protein BBQ Ranch Chicken Bowl
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Bowl
- Measuring cups
- 1 Mixing spoon
Ingredients
- 1 Just Bare (or similar) chicken filet
- ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese (I go with Good Culture brand)
- 2 tbsp Ranch dressing (I go with Bolthouse Farms)
- 2 tbsp BBQ sauce (I go with G.Hughes)
- 2 tbsp Shredded cheddar cheese, reduced fat
Instructions
- Cook chicken breast in air fryer (I do 10-12 mins at 400 degrees). Chop into pieces and set aside.
- In a small bowl, stir together cottage cheese & ranch dressing
- Add cottage cheese mixture to serving dish. Top with chopped chicken. Drizzle with BBQ sauce and top with cheese.
- Place dish in microwave for 60 seconds. Stir & enjoy!
This was really good! I used some leftover baked chicken breast, and ate it on a bed of arugula. I forgot to heat it up, but I enjoyed it cold!
Hi Amy! I’m so glad you enjoyed this. Love the addition of some greens!
I am trying to add up the macros and I only get 14g of protein in the just bare chicken strip…well for 2 so 7g for one. Then, 14g protein for the cottage cheese, 1g protein for dressing and like 4g protein for the cheese. Did I miss something?
Hi Teresa! I used a Just Bare FILET which has 22g of protein in it! I think that’s where you’re coming up short.
Is a chicken filet a whole breast? I bought filets as well and it wasn’t enough for one serving. The package of breasts in the brand you mentioned says great filets but look like whole breasts. The recipe is delicious though!
Breast filets*
I too had different macro counts especially saying it is 8 grams of carbs, the filet alone has 14g of carbs, hopefully she adjusts the macros in myfitnesspal!
Thanks for catching that! Fixed!
What do you season your chicken breast with? Ever since my 2nd pregnancy, I can’t stand the taste of plain chicken.
Has quickly become a regular in the lunch rotation. Tasty, filling and easy!
Hey Jennifer, I’m so happy you’re enjoying this recipe! Thank you for taking the time to let me know 😊
Amazingly good