A Hands-On Review of Don Lee Farms Shredded Chicken Cauliflower Rice Bowls

Don Lee Farms has made a name for itself by offering convenient, seemingly healthy pre-packaged meals like their popular Shredded Chicken Cauliflower Rice Bowls. As a busy food blogger always on the lookout for quick and nutritious options, I decided to give these bowls a try and provide an in-depth review.

An Overview of Don Lee Farms Shredded Chicken Cauliflower Rice Bowls

These bowls can be heated in the microwave and come with shredded antibiotic-free chicken, riced cauliflower (a lower carb alternative to rice), and sometimes a vegetable medley or sauce to add flavor. They are advertised as a quick and easy way to make a high-protein, gluten-free meal. It is easy to see why these are popular: they have fewer ingredients and are better for you than most frozen meals.

In terms of taste, nutrition, and ease of use, do these bowls live up to their claims? As a foodie on a mission, it was time to find out.

Putting Don Lee Farms Bowls to the Test

At my local Costco, I bought a few different kinds of Don Lee Farms Shredded Chicken Cauliflower Rice Bowls. These people were my test subjects.

• Green Chili Shredded Chicken & Cauliflower Rice Bowl
• Teriyaki Shredded Chicken & Cauliflower Rice Bowl

When I arrived home, I couldn’t wait to dig in. I heated up each bowl according to the package instructions. It took about 5 minutes in the microwave to heat the bowls evenly.

As soon as I opened the packages, the bowls emitted a pleasant aroma. The green chili bowl gave off a nice savory and slightly spicy smell. The teriyaki bowl had an appetizing sweet and umami scent. So far, so good!

Here’s how the bowls shaped up in terms of taste and texture:

Green Chili Bowl

• Flavors: Savory with a kick of heat from the green chilis. Well-balanced.
• Chicken: Tender and juicy but a tad bland on its own.
• Cauliflower rice: Held its texture well but had a slight bitter note.
• Verdict: Quite tasty but needed a sprinkling of extra seasoning.

Teriyaki Bowl

• Flavors: Pleasant teriyaki flavor though a bit too sweet for my tastes.
• Chicken: Similarly tender but lacked distinct seasoning.
• Cauliflower rice: Again maintained a rice-like texture but had a hint of bitterness.
• Verdict: I’d prefer a less sugary teriyaki sauce but still enjoyed the overall flavor.

While not restaurant-quality cuisine, both bowls were appetizing and filling. The flavors were more bold and complex than typical frozen meals. The cauliflower rice had a surprisingly rice-like mouthfeel but needed some boosts in the flavor department. And the chicken, while juicy, was simply crying out for more spice.

The Nutrition: Better Than Average But Room for Improvement

Next I took a close look at the nutrition labels. Here’s how the two bowls stacked up:

Green Chili Bowl

• Calories: 320
• Fat: 13g
• Carbs: 16g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 32g

Teriyaki Bowl

• Calories: 350
• Fat: 15g
• Carbs: 33g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 27g

The higher protein and lower carb counts were impressive. But sodium levels were moderately high, especially on the teriyaki bowl. And while the fiber content was decent thanks to the riced cauliflower, I would have liked to see more veggie volume and variety for more vitamins and minerals.

The Convenience Factor

There’s no doubt these bowls deliver on convenience. They took just minutes to heat up, with no prep or cleanup required. The packaging was easy to open and recycle. No cooking skills necessary!

The only downside was that leftovers didn’t reheat too well, so these are best when freshly prepared. For quick weekday lunches and busy dinners when time is short, Don Lee Farms Bowls get high marks for convenience.

Are They Worth the Price Tag?

These bowls retail for around $5 each, which is on the pricier side for frozen prepared meals. For the added convenience compared to homemade, I found the higher price point reasonable, but frequent purchases could get costly.

In terms of nutritional value, I would say they are moderately better than average frozen meals, but not remarkably above and beyond. For the health-conscious consumer, additional fresh produce and lean proteins would provide more nutritional bang for your buck.

The Final Verdict on Don Lee Farms Bowls

After my taste tests and nutritional analysis, here is my summary view on Don Lee Farms Shredded Chicken Cauliflower Rice Bowls:

The Good

• Very convenient, minimal prep meal
• Higher protein, lower carb counts
• Antibiotic-free chicken and recognizable ingredients
• Better flavors and textures than typical frozen meals

The Not-So-Good

• Chicken lacks much flavor on its own
• Cauliflower rice has bitter undertones
• Higher in sodium and not enough veggies
• Price is quite steep

The Bottom Line

Don Lee Farms Bowls beat out other frozen meals in terms of nutrition profile and taste but aren’t as wholesome or budget-friendly as homemade options. They make for an occasional convenient lunch or dinner when time is extra crunched but aren’t nutritionally balanced enough for everyday meals.

I’d recommend keeping a couple bowls on hand for when you need an easy dinner fix in a pinch! Add your own spices and extra produce to round out the nutrition and flavors. For a truly healthy, home cooked meal, however, your kitchen is still the best option.