Chicken Burrito Bowls – A Flavorful and Satisfying Meal
Craving a flavorful, satisfying, and easy weeknight dinner? Look no further than these delicious chicken burrito bowls packed with zesty seasoned chicken, fluffy rice, beans, corn, avocado, and more goodies smothered in mouthwatering sauces.
The Concept Behind Chicken Burrito Bowls
Burrito bowls have become extremely popular over recent years, and it’s easy to see why. All your favorite burrito fillings – protein, rice, beans, veggies, salsa, guacamole, cheese, etc. – are served in a bowl rather than wrapped in a tortilla. It makes for a lighter, fresher-tasting meal, perfect for those watching carbs or gluten.
Burrito bowls are also infinitely customizable. Don’t like beans? Leave them out. Want to add some spicy pork chorizo? Go for it. Think fajita veggies would taste better than corn? Make the swap. Build these bowls to suit your preferences and what you have on hand.
I love burrito bowls because they check so many boxes. They’re fast, budget-friendly, super flavorful, healthy enough, incredibly filling and satisfying, and a crowd-pleaser. Even picky kids tend to devour these creations.
My homemade chicken burrito bowl recipe features tender cubes of lime-marinated chicken breast sautéed until beautifully browned. That chicken gets stacked on top of fluffy white rice, black beans, sweet corn, cool avocado, and fresh pico de gallo salsa. Then, the whole shebang finishes with a decadent, creamy cilantro lime dressing.
Trust me when I say every bite of these burrito bowls is an absolute fiesta of flavors and textures in your mouth. Once you try this recipe, it’ll likely become a regular in your dinner rotation.
Ingredients Required for this Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to make a big batch of chicken burrito bowls to feed 4 hungry people:
For the chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1⁄2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Juice from 1⁄2 lime
- Salt and pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
For serving:
- 3-4 cups cooked white rice
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can of corn, drained
- 1 avocado, diced
- Cherry tomatoes, diced (for pico de gallo)
- Red onion, diced (for pico de gallo)
- Chopped fresh cilantro (for pico de gallo and dressing)
- Juice from 1⁄2 lime (for pico)
- Salt and pepper (for pico)
For the dressing:
- 2 heaping tablespoons of sour cream
- Juice from 1⁄2 lime
- Splash of water to thin
Regarding special equipment, you’ll need a large skillet or saucepan to cook the chicken. Everything else is just simple bowl-and-spoon territory.
How to Make Chicken Burrito Bowls – Step By Step Guide
Follow this simple step-by-step guide to make the best chicken burrito bowls at home.
First, prepare your ingredients:
1. Wash and dry fresh produce. Dice tomatoes, onion, avocado, and cilantro. Juice the limes. Drain and rinse beans and corn.
2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
3. combine cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, lime juice, and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Mix well.
4. In another small bowl, combine sour cream and lime juice for dressing. Thin with water as needed.
Then, cook your chicken:
5. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil.
6. Add chicken and spice mixture to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until chicken is browned on the outside and cooked through.
7. Remove from heat and set aside.
Put together your bowls:
8. Place about 1 cup of cooked rice in each bowl. Top with chicken, black beans, corn, avocado, and pico.
9. Drizzle each bowl evenly with the lime-cilantro dressing.
And that’s it! Enjoy every bite of these unbelievably tasty homemade chicken burrito bowls.
Making Pico De Gallo Salsa For Your Bowls
No chicken burrito bowl would be complete without a scoop of bright, fresh pico de gallo salsa. This traditional Mexican relish is made from chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice, and seasonings.
I like to throw my pico together while the chicken cooks so it’s ready to top the finished bowls. You could also make it a day or two in advance to save even more time on burrito bowl night. Just store the salsa covered in the fridge until ready to serve.
To make quick and easy pico:
1. Dice about 2 Roma tomatoes and place in a medium bowl. I don’t bother seeding them since I like the extra texture but feel free to seed if you want smoother salsa.
2. Mince a small red onion or shallot, then add to bowl. I usually use half an onion for 4 burrito bowls.
3. Roughly chop a heaping handful of fresh cilantro leaves and stems. Add to mix.
4. Halve a lime and squeeze its juice over the top, blending well. I use about half a lime but add more or less to taste.
5. Generously season pico to taste with salt and pepper.
6. Let pico de gallo sit for 10 minutes or so for flavors to develop before serving, stirring occasionally.
And that’s all it takes to assemble a simple homemade pico in minutes with hardly any dishes to wash! Add diced jalapeño, green bell pepper, mango, or pineapple to change your pico game. The possibilities are endless.
Making Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
One of my favorite parts of burrito bowls is drizzling on that cool, creamy cilantro lime dressing. The zingy, herby sauce brings everything on the plate together beautifully.
My 5-minute cilantro lime crema reminds me of the kinds you get at Chipotle or other Mexican grill restaurants. To make it, I whisk together sour cream, lime juice, cilantro, and some water or milk to thin it out to a drizzling consistency.
Here’s the easy method for whipping up creamy cilantro lime sauce at home:
In a small bowl, combine:
- 2 heaping tablespoons of sour cream
- Juice from 1⁄2 lime
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Pinch of salt
- Splash of milk or water to thin (start with 1 tablespoon)
Whisk vigorously until smooth and pourable. Add more liquid if needed to reach the desired consistency. Taste and add more lime or salt if desired.
And that’s all you need to make the ultimate burrito bowl sauce – no blender required! This cilantro lime crema stores well, too, so consider doubling or tripling the sauce and keeping some on hand for future bowls, tacos, nachos, etc. Just keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.
The Perfect Burrito Bowl Formula
One of the beauties of burrito bowls lies in their versatility and potential for endless combinations and customizations.
Bowls loaded with too many ingredients quickly turn into a mess of flavors competing for attention. I prefer keeping my bowl components fairly simple and streamlined so the delicious flavors and textures can shine through.
Here’s my tried-and-true formula for building the perfect burrito bowl every time:
1. Carb Base – Cooked rice, quinoa, grains, potatoes, etc. The neutral yet hearty base that everything gets piled on top of.
2. Protein – Shredded chicken, ground beef, chickpeas, etc. Bring on the hearty plant proteins or hearty animal proteins.
3. Beans – Black, pinto, chickpeas, etc. Beans offer fiber, protein, and creaminess.
4. Vegetables – Onions, peppers, corn, zucchini, etc. Add pops of color, crunch, and nutrients.
5. Fresh Salsa – Pico de gallo, pineapple salsa, corn salsa, mango salsa, etc. Brings brightness and acid.
6. Creamy Sauce – Avocado cream, Greek yogurt, tahini sauce, chipotle crema, etc. Ties everything together.
7. Cheese – Feta, goat cheese, cheddar, Cotija, etc. For sprinkling over the top.
8. Toppings – Avocado, olives, cilantro, crispy onions, etc. Extra toppings for even more texture/flavor.
For my recipe, I went with white rice, lime chicken, black beans, sweet corn, pico, cilantro lime dressing, avocado, and cilantro. A classic combo that balances all those flavor profiles beautifully.
But don’t be afraid to substitute your favorite ingredients once you’ve mastered the basic formula!
How to Store Leftover Burrito Bowls?
Since these burrito bowls make a generous amount, you’ll likely have leftovers, especially if cooking for only 2-3 people. Luckily, they store and reheat fantastically!
Here are some tips for storing burrito bowl leftovers:
- Let bowls cool completely before covering.
- Store rice, chicken, beans, salsa, etc., in separate airtight containers instead of mixed all together. This retains texture and flavor better.
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freeze rice, beans, and chicken (without toppings) in airtight containers or bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat gently in the microwave or stovetop with a splash of water or broth until hot, 1-3 minutes.
- Stir thawed frozen bowls before reheating to redistribute ingredients.
- Mix in fresh toppings like avocado, tomatoes, and cilantro before serving.
Storing the components separately makes leftovers so much more versatile. You can quickly throw together burrito bowls, nachos, taco salads, and more throughout the week!
Fun Ways to Customize Chicken Burrito Bowls
I’ll say it again – one of my favorite aspects of burrito bowls is getting creative with fun add-ins and substitutions! Don’t be afraid to give these bowls your twist.
Here are some deliciously easy ways to customize chicken burrito bowls to your liking:
- Sub ground turkey or lean ground beef for the chicken
- Use brown rice or quinoa instead of white
- Add sauteed peppers, onions, zucchini or other veggies
- Mix in sweet potato cubes or roasted squash
- Top with shredded cheese, Greek yogurt, pumpkin seeds
- Swap black beans for pinto or chickpeas
- Add hot sauce or salsa verde for a kick
- Stir in fresh mango, pineapple, or jicama
- Use mashed avocado instead of diced
- Garnish with crispy fried onions or tortilla strips
- Mix in sauteed mushrooms, onions, or spinach
- Drizzle with Greek yogurt sauce or tahini dressing
The possibilities for personalizing your bowls with your favorite flavors, textures, and ingredients are endless. Getting creative with add-ins will keep you excited to make these bowls repeatedly!
5 Tips for Making Perfect Chicken Burrito Bowls
Over many rounds of testing and tweaking, I’ve picked some helpful tips for making utterly crave-worthy chicken burrito bowls at home. Follow these tricks, and these bowls will become a regular rotation meal!
1. Cut the raw chicken small: About 1-inch chunks ensures the chicken cooks fast and evenly. No huge chunks that are dried out on the outside while underdone inside.
2. Use thighs if you prefer: Boneless, skinless thighs offer more flavor and tenderness than breasts. Just adjust cook times.
3. Cook the chicken first: Get your protein cooking before starting the rice. This staggered method ensures both components finish at the same time.
4. Make extra rice: Having a surplus of fluffy rice makes assembling leftover bowls throughout the week quick and simple.
5. DIY salsa and sauce: The fresh pico and herbaceous dressing bring the bowls to life. Making them homemade yields far superior flavor.
The Nutritional Benefits of Chicken Burrito Bowls
Besides being budget-friendly, super quick to throw together, and downright delicious, chicken burrito bowls are alsoare pretty nutritious. They eat well-balanced meals with lean protein, fiber-rich beans and grains, disease-fighting vegetables, and healthy fats.
Here’s a nutritional breakdown of my homemade chicken burrito bowl recipe:
- 796 calories
- 81g carbohydrates
- 15g fiber
- 62g protein
- 26g fat
With 62 grams of protein per serving, these burrito bowls offer an impressive dose to promote muscle growth, healthy bones, immune function, and weight management.
The fiber tally also comes out strong at 15 grams per bowl. All that fiber aids digestion, gut health, heart health, blood sugar regulation, and cholesterol levels.
Vitamins and minerals abound in these bowls via the fresh vegetables and herbs. Sauteeing instead of heavily processing or overcooking the ingredients helps retain those sensitive nutrients.
Finally, the mix of plant and animal fats checks the “healthy fats” box by providing essential fatty acids and enhancing flavor and satisfaction.
So feel good about making these yummy chicken burrito bowls regularly! When crafted with high quality whole food ingredients like in my recipe, they make for a balanced, nutrient-dense meal for the entire family.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to personalizing chicken burrito bowls. Have fun experimenting with flavors, textures, and mix-in ingredients to invent your family’s new favorite meal!
Love chicken? Try these easy Crispy Flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Wings for your next game day gathering after whipping up a double batch of chicken burrito bowls to have throughout the week.
