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Adobo Chicken & Broccoli Couscous Bowl

menopause nutrition Oct 21, 2025
A white bowl filled with adobo-seasoned ground chicken and broccoli served over fluffy couscous, garnished with fresh cilantro and green onions, photographed from above

Dairy Free, Egg Free, Meal Prep, Nut Free, Soy Free, Sugar Free

25 minutes, 2 servings

Some evenings call for something quick and satisfying, but still packed with flavor, and this Adobo Chicken & Broccoli Couscous Bowl delivers on all three counts. Ready in just 25 minutes, it's the kind of recipe that feels like you're treating yourself to something special, even on the busiest weeknights.

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A Flavorful Weeknight Winner

Let's talk about that adobo seasoning. It brings a warm, savory depth to the ground chicken that transforms this from a basic bowl into something you'll actually crave. The blend of spices creates layers of flavor without requiring a long ingredient list or complicated techniques, just season and cook. It's the kind of shortcut that doesn't feel like one.

The combination of textures here is what really makes this bowl shine. You've got tender, fluffy couscous as your base, bright green broccoli that stays just tender-crisp, and seasoned ground chicken that brings everything together. Fresh cilantro and green onions add a pop of brightness right at the end, while minced garlic ties all the savory elements together.

 

Perfect for Your Midlife Kitchen

If you're navigating perimenopause or menopause, you know that what you eat matters, not because of restrictive rules, but because nourishing yourself well just feels better. This bowl checks a lot of boxes without feeling like you're eating according to some arbitrary diet culture fad.

With 28 grams of protein per serving, it's genuinely filling in a way that keeps you satisfied. The broccoli adds fiber and volume, making this a substantial meal that doesn't leave you rummaging through the pantry an hour later. And because it comes together so quickly, you're not spending your evening standing over the stove when you'd rather be doing literally anything else.

 

Flexible and Forgiving

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how adaptable it is. Not a fan of couscous? Swap in quinoa. Want to bulk up the veggies? Toss in some bell peppers or snap peas along with the broccoli. You could even use ground turkey if that's what's in your fridge. The adobo seasoning is the star, so as long as you've got that, you're golden.

The recipe makes two generous servings and stores well in the fridge for up to three days, which means you can easily double it for meal prep. Having this ready to grab for lunch or a quick dinner is the kind of move future-you will appreciate, especially on days when the perimenopause fatigue and hot flashes makes cooking a hard pass.

 

Simple Steps, Big Flavor

The cooking process itself is refreshingly straightforward: cook your couscous, brown the seasoned chicken, sauté the broccoli and garlic, then bring it all back together with fresh herbs. That's it. No fancy techniques, no hard-to-find ingredients, no stress.

The whole thing happens in one pan (plus whatever you use for the couscous), which means minimal cleanup, always a win in my book. And because everything cooks quickly over medium heat, you're not stuck managing multiple burners or complicated timing.

 

Why This Works Right Now

There's something particularly appealing about a bowl meal like this during perimenopause and beyond. It's nourishing without being fussy, flavorful without being heavy, and substantial without leaving you feeling overly full. It's the kind of meal that just feels right. It satisfies your hunger and your taste buds in equal measure.

Plus, with that combination of protein, fiber, and vegetables, you're setting yourself up to feel good after eating. Not in a "diet food" way, but in an "I fed myself well and it was delicious" way. There's real power in that.

Whether you're cooking for yourself, sharing with a partner, or prepping ahead for the week, this Adobo Chicken & Broccoli Couscous Bowl is the kind of recipe that earns its spot in your regular rotation.

 

Eating well during menopause doesn't mean complicated recipes or bland food, it just means finding dishes that work for your body, your taste buds, and your schedule.