Cook rice and chicken: Prepare wild rice according to package directions. If cooking chicken, prepare that now.
Roast sweet potatoes: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and about 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread in a single layer on a rimmed sheet pan. Bake for 27–35 minutes, flipping every 10–15 minutes, until tender and lightly charred.
Make dressing: In a wide-mouth jar, combine all dressing ingredients. Shake well to combine and emulsify. (If honey sticks to the bottom, whisk it in.) Taste and adjust seasoning; I typically add 1/4 tsp salt & 1/8 tsp pepper.
Prep kale: Finely shred kale, then place in a colander. Rinse under cool water while scrunching/massaging for 1–2 minutes. Thoroughly dry in a salad spinner or with paper towels.
Assemble bowls: Divide rice and chicken evenly among 4 bowls. Top with roasted sweet potatoes, kale, apples, goat cheese, and almonds. Drizzle dressing over each bowl and serve immediately. For meal prep, store components separately and assemble just before eating.
Video
Notes
Note 1: A hot rotisserie chicken is the easiest shortcut. Grilled or baked chicken also works beautifully with the balsamic dressing.Storage: Store all components separately in airtight containers. Sweet potatoes, rice, and chicken keep well for 3–4 days in the fridge. Kale, apples, cheese, and almonds should be stored separately. Dressing keeps for up to 1 week in the fridge. Assemble bowls just before serving for the best texture.