Healthy chicken burrito bowl

Healthy chicken burrito bowl recipe made with grilled chicken, corn, seasoned beans, tomato-onion salsa, rice, and cheese. Inspired by Chipotle-style burrito bowls, these Mexican chicken rice bowls are healthy, filling, and easy to make at home. Great for meal prep!

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These easy chicken burrito bowls are loaded with delectable Mexican flavors. This is a perfect recipe for a quick dinner or weeknight meal. You can make a vegetarian burrito bowl by skipping chicken in this recipe.

I love making these chicken and rice bowls. There are not only healthy and filling but there are a lot of flavors in a single bowl. Everybody loves this Mexican dish at our home.

About this recipe

In this recipe post, I am sharing how to make a Healthy chicken burrito bowl with homemade fajita seasoning. I have included easy step-by-step instructions with a recipe video.

What I like the most about this burrito bowl is that it is quick and easy to make at home. You can easily customize the recipe with whatever ingredients you have at home.

This Mexican meal is healthy as it is loaded with protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats. And it tastes absolutely delicious. It is a Gluten-free recipe.

It is Meal prep-friendly recipe – More about this is discussed in the post later.

You may also like these other popular chicken recipes from this website

• Vegetarian Burrito Bowls
• Mexican Chicken and Rice
• Chicken Fajita Sandwich
• Chicken Fajita Rice Skillet
• Chicken Fajitas

How do you meal prep a chicken burrito bowl

If you are planning to make a burrito bowl to consume later. You need 3 different containers to store the ingredients.

• Cut the onion and bell peppers and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It takes only 5 minutes to stir fry them. Store it within 2 hours of cooking.
• Grill the chicken; let it come to room temperature. Store it in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator. Stays good for 3-5 days. Reheat and serve. You can freeze the chicken for longer shelf life. Store it within 2 hours of cooking.
• Cook rice, let it come to room temperature, and store it in another airtight container. Store the cooked rice within 2 hours of cooking it. Consume within 2 days.

What goes in a chicken burrito bowl?

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Ingredients & Substitutions

• Chicken – I have used boneless, skinless chicken breast. You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
• Vegetables – Onions, red and yellow bell peppers, and garlic.
• Beans – Black beans are used to make Chipotle style burrito bowls. You can substitute it with red kidney beans or pinto beans.
• Corn – You can use either frozen corn or canned corn. Skip if you do not have it.
• Rice – You can use either medium grain or long grain white rice. For a healthier alternative use brown rice or quinoa.
• Fajita seasoning – You can use store-bought seasoning but it is easy to make at home. The recipe to make fajita seasoning is on the recipe card. To substitute, you can use taco seasoning.
• Tomatoes – I have used roasted tomatoes for salsa. It gives a great depth of flavor to it. But you can substitute it with fresh tomatoes or canned tomatoes too.
• Jalapenos – Skip if you do not have them or substitute them with green chilies. Deseed the green chilies before adding them to the salsa.
• Flavoring – Fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
• Fresh cilantro
• Cheese – I have used cheddar cheese. You can use any cheese of your choice. Or skip it to make vegan burrito bowls.

For the detailed list of ingredients & their measurements, please check out the recipe card below.

Tips to make the best chicken burrito bowl

• Slice the chicken breast in half. This helps the chicken breast to cook evenly. You can even pound the chicken breast.
• Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or longer. It helps the chicken to soak all the flavors of the marinade and cook soft and juicy without drying out.
• For the grilled chicken – Place the chicken on a heated grill pan. Make sure to cook the chicken until it is cooked through and slightly charred (gives a nice smoky flavor).
• You can make a small cut in the middle of the chicken to check that it is no longer pink in the middle. It should be white or opaque in the middle. If you are using a cooking thermometer make sure the temperature reaches 165°F.
• Give 10 minutes of resting time to the cooked chicken before you slice it.
• Fajita seasoning already has salt in it. So be careful while adding salt to the recipe.

Make burrito bowls at home in just 5 easy steps!

If you have done meal prep for chicken burrito bowls then it takes only 30 minutes to make these chipotle-inspired chicken burrito bowls from start to finish.

• Step 1 – Make tomato-onion salsa (within 5 minutes)
• Step 2 – Cook chicken (7 minutes)
• Step 3 – Stir fry the onions and bell peppers (5 minutes)
• Step 4 – Season the beans (5 minutes)
• Step 5 – Make lime cilantro rice (2 minutes)
• Finally, assemble the bowls (5 minutes)

Step by step instructions with photos

Preparations

1. Cook rice – Rinse rice 3-4 times until the water runs clear. Pressure cook the rice by adding the required quantity of water for 3-4 whistles. Set it aside. Or you can cook the rice in a pot as per the instructions given on the package. Fluff the rice with a fork. Let it cool down completely.
2. Prepare Fajita Seasoning – In a small mixing bowl combine 2 tsp paprika, ½ tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt to taste, and 1/2 tsp crushed black pepper. Homemade fajita seasoning is ready.
3. To make salsa – Grind all the ingredients mentioned under tomato onion salsa. You can grind it into a fine or chunky texture.

Making Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowl

1. To marinate the chicken – Slice the chicken horizontally and marinate them with fajita seasoning and lemon juice. Pin
2. For cooking the chicken – Heat 2 tsp of oil in a heavy bottom pan over medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken on the pan. Cook the chicken for 5 minutes on each side or until it is completely cooked. Remove and keep it on a plate. Cover to keep it warm.
3. For cooking the veggies – In the same pan, heat 2 tsp of oil. Add onion and bell peppers. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or until veggies are cooked as per your liking. Add fajita seasoning and combine it well. Remove and set it aside on a plate.Pin
4. Seasoning the beans – In the same pan, heat 1 tsp oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook it for 30 seconds. Add beans, fajita seasoning, and combine. Taste and add salt as per taste. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice and coriander leaves. Combine and set this aside.Pin
5. For lime-cilantro rice – In a mixing bowl combine cooked rice, salt, lemon juice, crushed black pepper, and cilantro. Lime cilantro rice is ready.
6. Assembling the burrito bowls – Slice the grilled chicken and set it aside. Divide the lime cilantro rice into 4 bowls. Place sautéed veggies, chicken, beans, corn, and salsa over it.
7. You can add any topping of your choice. I have added pickled jalapeno, lemon slices, and cheese.

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FAQs

Variations that you can try

• Make Vegetarian Burrito Bowl – Skip the chicken and add tofu to make a vegetarian version.
• Make a Burrito – Wrap all the elements of this chicken burrito bowl in a tortilla.
• Make it a low-carb burrito by wrapping it in a lettuce wrap.
• For a healthier version – Replace rice with quinoa. Top with some sour cream or greek yogurt. Or add some salad leaves.

Storage Suggestions

• If you are planning to make ahead– Store rice, cooked chicken, beans, and sautéed veggies in separate airtight containers. Consume it within 2 days. Store within 2 hours of cooking.
• You can cut & store the salsa ingredients separately in an airtight container. Do not add any type of seasoning to it.

If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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