A quick, one-pan broccoli slaw chicken bowl over cauliflower rice — ready in about 10 minutes, with almost no cleanup.
This broccoli slaw chicken bowl is what happened the night I had almost nothing left to give the kitchen, and it turned into one of the best “accidental” dinners we’ve had in a while.
I wasn’t planning to write this one up. I just needed something fast that wouldn’t ask much of me. But when I set the bowls down and Walt took his first bite, he said he wouldn’t mind having this again — and that’s usually my sign that a recipe belongs on the blog.
Jump to…
Why This Broccoli Slaw Chicken Bowl Works for MS
Some nights, standing at the stove for very long just isn’t in the cards. This broccoli slaw chicken bowl was built for those nights. Everything cooks in one pan, the cauliflower rice steams itself in the microwave while the rest comes together, and there’s no sauce to whisk or extra dish to wash.
That matters more than it sounds like it should. Managing MS naturally means finding meals that give your body real nourishment without asking for energy you don’t have. This is one of those recipes — pre-cooked chicken, pre-riced cauliflower, and a slaw mix that’s already shredded for you, so there’s almost no prep standing between you and dinner.
This is the kind of meal I reach for when I want something warm and filling but my body has already told me the day is over.
Why Every Ingredient Earns Its Place
Cauliflower rice: This is the base of the bowl, and letting it steam in the microwave while everything else cooks on the stove is what makes this whole dinner come together in one pan and about 10 minutes. No extra pot, no boiling water to watch.
Broccoli slaw: This is the ingredient that makes the bowl. It’s already shredded, so there’s no cutting board involved, and it cooks down quickly in the pan alongside the chicken. Broccoli slaw is made from broccoli stalks, which belong to the same cruciferous family as broccoli florets and carry many of the same beneficial compounds, including sulforaphane.
🌿 Healing Tip:
Sulforaphane, the compound broccoli is best known for, has been studied for its ability to calm inflammatory activity in the body. Working cruciferous vegetables like broccoli slaw into ordinary weeknight meals — instead of saving them for a special “healthy” dinner — is a simple way to include more of them without extra effort. A review of clinical trials found that sulforaphane supported the body’s natural detoxification processes and reduced inflammation in healthy participants. Read the research on PubMed →
Pre-cooked chicken: Using chicken that’s already cooked is what turns this into a 10-minute broccoli slaw chicken bowl instead of a 30-minute one. It just needs to be warmed through and browned a little in the pan, not cooked from raw.
Olive oil and garlic powder: A light amount of olive oil keeps the slaw and chicken from sticking, and garlic powder adds flavor without any chopping. This is the first thing I’d skip on a harder day — the bowl still works fine without it.
Coconut aminos: This is the salty, savory finishing touch, and my go-to soy sauce substitute. It’s naturally gluten-free and easy on digestion, which is why I keep it on hand for almost everything that comes out of this kitchen.
Chopped raw walnuts: These go on last, for crunch. I like walnuts here because they hold onto their texture even after they touch the warm bowl, and they bring a dose of plant-based omega-3s to a dinner that’s otherwise light on fat.
🌿 Healing Tip:
Walnuts are one of the few foods that are naturally rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fat. Research has shown that the fatty acids found in walnuts may help protect against inflammatory activity in the body. Sprinkling a small handful over a savory bowl like this one — rather than saving walnuts only for baking or snacking — is an easy way to work more of them into your day. Read the research on PubMed →
How to Make It: One Pan, 10 Minutes
The whole point of this broccoli slaw chicken bowl is that everything happens at the same time, so nothing sits around waiting.
While the cauliflower rice steams in the microwave, the broccoli slaw and pre-cooked chicken cook together in a little olive oil with garlic powder, right in the same pan. By the time the cauliflower rice is done, the slaw and chicken are too.
I don’t measure much of this out — I just work with what’s in the fridge and adjust as I go. But here’s a starting point.
🌿 Healing Tip:
On the days when fatigue is winning, giving yourself permission to lean on shortcuts — pre-cooked chicken, bagged slaw, microwave rice — is not something to feel guilty about. A simpler version of a nourishing meal still beats skipping the meal altogether.
Easy Ways to Make This Broccoli Slaw Chicken Bowl Your Own
- Swap the protein. Rotisserie chicken, leftover turkey, or cooked shrimp added near the end all work in place of pre-cooked chicken.
- Change the crunch. No walnuts on hand? Sliced almonds or pepitas work just as well on top.
- Add more flavor. A squeeze of lime or a sprinkle of ginger powder alongside the garlic powder gives the bowl a little more brightness.
- Make it spicier. A pinch of red pepper flakes stirred in with the coconut aminos adds a little heat, if that sounds good to you.
Common Questions
Can I use raw chicken instead of pre-cooked? Yes, just cook it through fully before adding the broccoli slaw, since raw chicken needs longer in the pan than this 10-minute bowl is built for.
Do I have to use the microwave for the cauliflower rice? No — you can heat it in a second pan on the stove, but cooking it in the microwave is what keeps this a true one-pan meal.
Is this bowl good for a day when I’m especially fatigued? Yes — this is exactly the kind of dinner it’s meant for. One pan, pre-cooked ingredients, and almost no cleanup.
How long do leftovers keep? Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. I’d hold off on adding the walnuts until you reheat, so they stay crunchy.
If you try this broccoli slaw chicken bowl, I’d love to know what you topped yours with. Leave a comment below — I read every single one.
Recipe
Broccoli Slaw Chicken Bowl with Cauliflower Rice
Equipment
- Frying pan
- Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 bag cauliflower rice (microwave-steamable)
- 1 bag broccoli slaw
- 1–2 cups pre-cooked chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Garlic powder to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- Small handful chopped raw walnuts
Instructions
- Start the cauliflower rice steaming in the microwave according to package directions.
- While it steams, heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Add the broccoli slaw and pre-cooked chicken to the pan. Sprinkle with garlic powder.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the slaw is tender and the chicken is heated through, about 6–8 minutes.
- Divide the cooked cauliflower rice between two bowls.
- Top each bowl with the broccoli slaw and chicken mixture.
- Drizzle with coconut aminos and finish with a small handful of chopped walnuts.
- Serve right away.
Notes
🌿 Wondering why your energy feels so depleted?
MS fatigue can have more than one thing working behind the scenes. My Energy Depleted Healing Guide helps you explore factors that may be draining your energy and gives you practical steps for supporting better energy. Learn more →
🍽️ Looking for more easy meal ideas?
This post is part of a series on managing MS fatigue with practical, low-energy strategies. If you haven’t already, take a look at my post on cauliflower rice as an MS-friendly rice substitute and my 5-Minute MS Gut Healthy Bowl for two more meals that ask almost nothing of you on hard days.
📌 Love this broccoli slaw chicken bowl?
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