Chicken Burrito Bowl

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This chicken burrito bowl uses healthy ingredients and goes from kitchen to table in under an hour, making it a perfect choice for lunches, dinners, and more.

The great thing about a chicken burrito bowl is that it’s simple to make. They use common ingredients you probably already have in your refrigerator and kitchen for a quick and easy crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly healthy and nutritious. Chipotle and other fast-casual Mexican spots may have kicked off the burrito bowl craze, but we think they taste even better homemade. Whether packing ahead for lunch or serving the whole family for dinner, it’s hard to go wrong with our delicious chicken burrito bowl recipe, bringing a Mexican flair to your homesteading menu.

This recipe takes about an hour to prepare, mostly because of the time it takes to marinate our chicken breast. White meat chicken is a wonderful source of lean protein and other important nutrients. It also easily absorbs flavor, making it a perfect choice for most diets.

Another advantage of burrito bowls is that they’re infinitely customizable, so feel free to pick and choose your toppings. Have some stoplight peppers you’ve been looking to make use of? Dice them up and add to taste at the end. Trying to avoid dairy? Go ahead and hold off on the greek yogurt. Maybe you have kids who balk at the sight of onions, or can’t stand the heat from jalapeno peppers. No matter the circumstances or dietary restrictions, you can make this dish your own.

Main Ingredients For Chicken Burrito Bowl

Chicken Breast: As the main protein of this dish, make sure you’re working with a hearty portion.

Rice: A long grain white or brown rice is best.

Lime Juice: We recommend using fresh limes, but bottled lime juice will do.

Avocado: Avocado will add a creamy note to your burrito bowl, balancing out the spices.

Lettuce: Romaine lettuce is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment with baby greens, spinach, and more!

Beans: Pinto or black beans are best for this recipe.

Chicken Marinade: There are few things more disappointing than flavorless, dry chicken, and our special chicken marinade is this burrito bowl’s secret weapon. The lime juice adds a tangy layer to the flavor palate, while the paprika, cumin, and chili give the chicken a subtle bite of south-of-the-border flavor. The oil ensures that all that fresh and vibrant flavor is present on the tongue while retaining the chicken’s tender, juicy qualities. 

How to make chicken marinade

While the chicken is being marinated, you’ll have time to chop and prepare your avocado, greens, cherry tomatoes, onions, and jalapeno peppers. For extra flavor penetration, we recommend marinating inside of a Ziploc bag to ensure the marinade covers the entire surface area of the chicken. Marinate for at least 30 minutes for maximum flavor and moisture. If you have the time, you can marinate up to 24 hours in advance before cooking.

Preheat a grill pan, send the chicken into it and fry for about 5-7 minutes on each side. Remove from grill pan and let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

Mix the cooked rice with lime juice, chopped herbs, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix.

Lay a lettuce leaf in the bottom of the bowl. Arrange rice, corn, beans, chopped tomatoes and onions in piles.

Add meat, half a peeled avocado, and chopped jalapeno. Before serving, add a spoonful of Greek yogurt.

Are burrito bowls healthy?

Burrito bowls are surprisingly healthy, especially if you’re using a lean protein like chicken breast. A burrito bowl is healthier than a regular burrito, since you’re cutting down on carbs by skipping the tortilla, while still hitting all your macronutrient goals with rice and veggies. If you want to skip even more carbs, you can substitute cauliflower rice.

What should I pair with a chicken burrito bowl

Chicken burrito bowls are a great standalone meal, but if you’re looking for a little more, we recommend serving them with tortilla chips and salsa. The chips can be eaten on the side, or used to scoop and eat your burrito bowl for a more nacho-like experience.

Are burrito bowls served warm or cold

While you can certainly eat a cold burrito bowl, this recipe is best fresh and warm. The heat from the freshly cooked chicken and rice will make the entire dish pleasantly warm, so even though you’re putting cold vegetables and other toppings on it, the dish will be warm overall.

Can I store chicken burrito bowls

To store your chicken burrito bowl for later, store the prepared ingredients in airtight containers. Make sure to store the marinated and pan grilled chicken in its own container. Add a squirt of lime juice to the sliced avocado before storing to prevent browning, and keep in mind that the avocado and cherry tomatoes will only keep for a few days once sliced. When you get the craving and are ready to eat your burrito bowl, reheat the chicken over low heat until warmed through, then assemble your burrito bowl according to this recipe. Because all you’ll need to do is throw the rice, chicken, and toppings into a bowl to enjoy after storing, this chicken burrito bowl recipe is also great for meal prep!

Conclusion

We hope you enjoy this easy to make, healthy chicken burrito bowl recipe. It’s saved us on many nights when we didn’t have the energy to cook anything fancy, but still wanted a meal to delight the senses. It’s a splendid option for a family dinner, hosting friends, or anytime you just want a bit of Mexican flavor to spice up your culinary routine.