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Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowls - Fresh, Flavorful, and Easy

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken: 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
  • Marinade/Seasoning: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, juice of 1 lime
  • Rice Base: 2 cups cooked brown rice or white rice (or use cauliflower rice for low-carb)
  • Beans: 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • Corn: 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen and thawed)
  • Veggies: 1 red bell pepper (diced), 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved), 1/2 red onion (thinly sliced), 1 cup shredded romaine or mixed greens
  • Extras: 1 avocado (sliced or diced), fresh cilantro (chopped), lime wedges
  • Simple Salsa-Lime Sauce: 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons salsa, juice of 1/2 lime, pinch of salt
  • Optional Toppings: shredded cheese, pickled jalapeños, hot sauce, pico de gallo

Method
 

  1. Season the chicken. In a bowl, mix olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Add chicken and toss well. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes (or up to overnight in the fridge).
  2. Cook the rice. Prepare your rice according to package directions. Fluff with a fork. For extra flavor, stir in a squeeze of lime and a handful of chopped cilantro.
  3. Make the sauce. Stir together Greek yogurt, salsa, lime juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Adjust lime and salt to taste.
  4. Sauté the chicken. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook 5–7 minutes, stirring once or twice, until browned and cooked through. If it releases liquid, keep cooking until it reduces and the edges caramelize.
  5. Warm the beans and corn. In a small pan over medium heat, warm black beans with a splash of water and a pinch of salt. In the same or another pan, warm the corn for 2–3 minutes. You can also serve both cold for a fresher feel.
  6. Prep the fresh veggies. Dice bell pepper, slice onion, halve tomatoes, and chop cilantro. Slice the avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
  7. Assemble the bowls. Add a scoop of rice to each bowl. Top with chicken, beans, corn, peppers, tomatoes, onion, and greens. Add avocado and cilantro. Drizzle with the salsa-lime sauce and finish with lime wedges. Add any optional toppings you love.
  8. Taste and adjust. Add a pinch of salt, more lime, or hot sauce if needed. The bright acidity ties everything together.