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Easy Flavor-Packed Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe for Meal Prep Success

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A quick and easy chicken burrito bowl recipe perfect for meal prep, featuring smoky spices, fresh lime, and wholesome ingredients for a flavorful and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for juicier texture)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
  • 3 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes or pico de gallo
  • 1 avocado, sliced or mashed
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • Fresh lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Add chicken breasts and coat well. Cover and marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours in the fridge.
  2. Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water or chicken broth, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in chopped cilantro if using.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook 6-7 minutes per side (12-14 minutes total) until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Cook in batches if needed. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  4. While chicken cooks, rinse and drain black beans, chop tomatoes or prepare pico de gallo, slice avocado, and warm corn kernels in a small pan or microwave for about 1 minute.
  5. Divide cooked rice evenly into 4 meal prep containers. Top each with sliced chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, and a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream. Sprinkle cheese on top if desired. Add a lime wedge for squeezing when ready to eat.
  6. Cover containers tightly and refrigerate. Keep for up to 4 days. Reheat in microwave for 1-2 minutes, adding fresh toppings after warming.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 15 minutes for best flavor; up to 2 hours for deeper taste. Let chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy. Rinse rice to avoid clumping. Cook chicken in batches to avoid steaming. Warm black beans and corn slightly before assembly. For gluten-free, ensure spices are certified gluten-free and swap rice for cauliflower rice. For dairy-free, use coconut yogurt or skip cheese.

Nutrition

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