Chicken Avocado BLT Rice Bowl with Pesto Ranch

My Favorite Kitchen Mash-Up

I love taking two good things and making one great thing. That’s how this bowl was born. I had leftover pesto and ranch dressing in my fridge one day. I thought, why not mix them? I still laugh at that. It was the best accident ever.

Now, this bowl feels like a party. You get the cool, herby pesto. You get the creamy, tangy ranch. Together, they make a magic sauce. It ties everything in the bowl together. Doesn’t that sound fun? What’s your favorite “kitchen accident” that turned out great?

Why This Bowl Feels So Good

This matters because food should make you feel happy and full. The warm rice soaks up the dressing. The cool avocado and crispy bacon add different feels in your mouth. Every bite is a little different.

It also matters because it’s a complete meal in one dish. You have your grains, your protein, and your veggies. You don’t need to make three separate things. That’s a win for a busy day. I call that smart cooking.

Building Your Bowl

Let’s start with the dressing. Just put all those dressing things in a blender. Give it a good whirl. Taste it with a spoon. You can add a pinch more salt if you like. This sauce is the heart of the meal.

Now, mix most of that dressing right into your warm rice. This is the secret! The rice gets so flavorful. Then, quickly cook your spinach, onions, and tomatoes. They just need to wilt. Toss them into the rice. The heat makes the flavors bloom.

The Toppings Make It Yours

Here is the fun part. Spoon your green rice into a bowl. Now, add your toppings. I lay the chicken and bacon next to the avocado. It looks so pretty. *Fun fact: The word “avocado” comes from an old word for “testicle.” Isn’t that silly? I learned that from my grandson.

You can change this up. Don’t have chicken? Use leftover steak or chickpeas. Not a bacon fan? Try chopped nuts for crunch. Do you like a lot of sauce? Keep some extra dressing on the side for dipping. How would you make this bowl your own?

A Little Story About Bacon

My husband, Tom, cooks the bacon for this recipe. He says it’s his job. He cooks it slowly in a pan. The whole house smells amazing. It reminds me of Saturday mornings when our kids were small.

That smell brings everyone to the kitchen. That’s the power of good food. It gathers people. It makes memories. Do you have a food smell that brings back a happy memory for you? I’d love to hear it.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
White rice, cooked	3 cups
Fresh spinach	1 cup	cooked and wilted
Grape tomatoes	¾ cup	halved
Onion, finely chopped	2 tablespoons
Grilled chicken, sliced	2 cups
Avocado	1 medium	sliced or chopped
Bacon, cooked	5 slices	chopped
Olive oil	1 tablespoon
For the Dressing:
Prepared pesto	3 tablespoons
Sour cream	¼ cup
Mayonnaise	¼ cup
Buttermilk	¼ cup
Lemon juice	1 teaspoon
Garlic, minced	1 tablespoon
Salt	¼ teaspoon
Pepper	¼ teaspoon
Fresh chives, finely chopped	1 teaspoon

My Favorite Summer-In-A-Bowl Recipe

Hello, my dear! It’s Anna. Come sit a moment. I want to tell you about my Chicken Avocado BLT Rice Bowl. Doesn’t that name just sing of summer? It mixes all the best picnic flavors into one cozy dish. I first made it after a big family barbecue. We had leftover grilled chicken and bacon. This bowl was born from that happy clutter. It’s become a regular at my table. I think you’ll love it, too.

For the Pesto Ranch Dressing

Step 1: Grab your blender. Add the pesto, sour cream, mayonnaise, and buttermilk. Don’t forget the lemon juice and garlic! A quick buzz blends it all. Taste it on a spoon. Amazing, right? (My hard-learned tip: if you don’t have buttermilk, use regular milk with a tiny splash of vinegar. It works in a pinch!).

For the Rice Base

Step 2: Cook your rice nice and fluffy. Let it cool just a bit. Then, pour that lovely green dressing right over the warm rice. Stir it all together. The rice soaks up the flavor like a dream. I love the color it turns. It reminds me of a spring meadow.

For the Veggies

Step 3: Warm your olive oil in a pan. Toss in the onions, tomatoes, and spinach. Listen to that gentle sizzle. Cook just until the spinach wilts down. It goes so fast! This step makes everything smell like a proper kitchen. What’s your favorite smell from your grandma’s kitchen? Share below!

Assembling the Bowls

Step 4: Mix your warm veggies right into the dressed rice. Now for the fun part. Step 5: Spoon the rice into bowls. Top it with slices of grilled chicken, crunchy bacon, and creamy avocado. I still laugh at how my grandson always picks out the bacon first. Serve it right away while everything is fresh. It’s a perfect, complete meal in a bowl.

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Lunch, Dinner

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is like a good friend. It’s happy to change its clothes for the occasion! Here are three easy ways to mix it up.

The “No-Chicken Chick”

Use canned chickpeas instead of chicken. Just rinse and pat them dry. Toss them with a little oil and salt. Roast them until crispy. They add a wonderful crunch!

The “Everything’s Spicy”

Add a big pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing. Or, slice up a fresh jalapeño to sprinkle on top. It gives the bowl a nice little kick.

The “Harvest Bowl”

For fall, swap the tomatoes for roasted butternut squash cubes. Use a handful of kale instead of spinach. It tastes like wearing a cozy sweater. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving It Up With Style

This bowl is a full meal, truly. But I love adding a little something extra. A side of sweet cornbread muffins is perfect for scooping up the last bites. Or, just some simple, crisp cucumber slices on the side. They are so refreshing. For drinks, a glass of iced sun tea with lemon is my go-to. It’s so cheerful. For the grown-ups, a chilled glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc pairs beautifully. It tastes like a sunny afternoon. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Rice Bowl Fresh and Tasty

Let’s talk about keeping your bowl delicious for later. Store everything separately in the fridge. Keep the dressed rice, the veggie mix, and the toppings in their own containers. This stops the avocado from browning and the bacon from getting soft.

You can batch-cook the rice, chicken, and bacon. It makes dinner come together in minutes. I once mixed it all together right away. The next day, my lunch was a bit soggy. Now I know better!

Reheat just the rice and veggie mix in the microwave. Add the cold toppings fresh. This matters because texture is part of the joy. A crispy bacon bit is a little happy moment. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups

Is your rice sticky or clumpy? Rinse it before you cook it. I remember when my rice was always gummy. A quick rinse changed everything. It washes away extra starch.

Worried about raw garlic in the dressing? Use garlic powder instead. Start with just half a teaspoon. This matters because friendly flavors build your cooking confidence. No one wants a too-strong bite.

Is your pesto ranch too thick? Just add a splash more buttermilk. Stir until it looks like a creamy dressing. Getting the sauce right matters. It ties all the wonderful flavors together. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Questions, My Answers

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free? A: Yes, if you check your pesto and bacon labels. Some brands add wheat.

Q: Can I make parts ahead? A: Absolutely! Cook the rice, chicken, and bacon ahead. Assemble your bowl when ready.

Q: What if I don’t have buttermilk? A: Mix 1/4 cup milk with 3/4 teaspoon lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You sure can. It’s perfect for feeding a hungry family or for leftovers.

Q: Any optional add-ins? A: A sprinkle of shredded cheddar or a squeeze of lime is lovely. *Fun fact: The “LT” in BLT stands for lettuce and tomato. We use spinach here!* Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love making this bowl as much as I do. It’s a full meal in one dish. That’s my favorite kind of cooking. I would love to see your creation.

Share a picture of your finished rice bowl. It makes this old grandma’s heart smile. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I’ll be looking for you there.

Happy cooking!
—Anna Whitmore.