Chicken Burrito Bowl

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This Chipotle-style chicken burrito bowl is full of “the” good stuff! I am talking 52g of protein, filling fiber, heart-healthy fats, and essential goodness! The chicken is marinated in adobo sauce with tangy lime and earthy garlic and served on a bed of rice with all the toppings! This chicken burrito bowl has got it all – if I do say so myself, and I do.

This chicken burrito bowl recipe checks all the boxes. Inspired by none other than Chipotle, I’ve packed my burrito bowl out with protein from black beans and chicken and fiber from corn and avocado. It’s also loaded with flavor from the chipotle pepper and adobo sauce. The best part is that it is easy to make and can be tailored to fit your own personal tastes.

Recipe At a Glance

Cuisine Inspiration: Mexican
Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop
Dietary Info: Dairy free, Gluten free
Key Flavor: Smokey with a bit of spice with a freshness from the veggies
Skill Level: Easy

Why This is So Good

• Flavor. This chicken burrito bowl is full of flavor, from the smokey chipotle peppers, fresh cilantro, and vibrant tomatoes to the tangy lime and bright corn.
• Healthy and filling. This protein bowl is packed with nutrients to keep you full and satisfied.
• Easy to make. This dish is simple to make and can be easily tailored to fit your own personal tastes.
• Perfect for meal prep. This recipe is perfect for meal prep! Simply make it ahead of time and enjoy it all week long.

Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Chicken Burrito Bowl

Although this burrito bowl is built from three parts – the rice, chicken, and toppings – it is one of the most cohesive and delicious meals you will ever make!

For the chipotle and adobo marinated chicken

• Chicken breast: I prefer to use chicken breast for this recipe because it is lean and has a high protein content. However, you can use whatever type of chicken you like.
• Chipotle peppers in adobo: Chipotle peppers are smoked jalapeño peppers that have been dried and canned in a sauce made from vinegar, tomato, garlic, and spices. They add the perfect amount of heat and smokiness to this dish.
• Lime juice: The lime juice helps to tenderize the chicken and adds a bit of acidity to balance out the spice from the chipotle peppers.
• Garlic: Garlic is a key ingredient in this marinade. It adds depth of flavor and helps to tenderize the chicken.
• Avocado oil: Avocado oil is a healthy fat that helps to keep the chicken moist while cooking.
• Salt: As always, salt is important for bringing out all of the flavors in this dish.

For the cilantro lime rice

• White rice: Long-grain white rice is the base of this protein bowl and is very receptive to added flavor. Just make sure you rinse it before cooking to remove any excess starch.
• Cilantro: Cilantro is a key flavor in this dish and ties everything together. It adds a bright, fresh flavor to the rice and is also a great source of antioxidants.
• Lime juice & Zest: In combination with the zest, the lime juice gives the rice a tart and tangy flavor and a bit of brightness.
• Salt: White rice is a blank canvas. You’ll want to season it well with salt to bring out all of the flavors.

Burrito Bowl Toppings

• Romaine lettuce: Romaine lettuce is an excellent option for this recipe because it is crisp and has a mild flavor. However, you can use whatever type of lettuce you like.
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes add a pop of color and freshness to this dish. I like to use Roma tomatoes because they are small and have a sweet flavor.
• Avocado: Avocados are a great source of healthy fats and add creaminess to this dish.
• Black beans: Black beans are a great source of protein and fiber. They also add a bit of heartiness to this dish.
• Corn: Corn is a classic burrito bowl ingredient. It adds sweetness and crunch to this dish.
• Red Onions: Red onions are a great way to add a bit of color and sweetness to this dish.
• Cilantro: Cilantro is the perfect garnish for this dish. It adds a bright, fresh flavor and ties everything together.

Popular substitutions & additions

• Add my homemade guacamole instead of sliced avocados. Using guacamole adds even more creaminess and flavor to these bowls.
• Switch up the rice. You can make the cilantro lime rice with brown rice instead or try my cilantro lime cauliflower rice which is a great option if you are looking to cut back on carbs.
• Use a different protein. You can use chicken thighs or breasts for this recipe, and shrimp or ground beef works great too. Make them meat-free by using tofu or a plant-based ‘meat’.
• Make it a salad. If you are not in the mood for rice, you can quickly turn this into a salad by leaving out the rice and increasing the amount of lettuce.
• Add some heat. If you like things spicy, you can add some diced jalapeños or serrano peppers to the bowls.

How to make This Chipotle-Inspired Chicken Bowl

There are three parts to make this burrito bowl: first the chicken, then the cilantro rice and finally assembling everything together with the toppings in the bowl.

MARINATE & COOK THE CHIPOTLE CHICKEN

1. Season the chicken and allow it to marinate for a couple of hours.
2. Then, cook the chicken in a skillet until heated through.

COOK THE CILANTRO lime RICE

1. In another pot, cook white long-grain rice and then add fresh lime juice and cilantro.
2. Stir the rice with the lime juice and cilantro and combine well; set aside.

• Then, it’s time to make your burrito bowls. Layer the rice, beans, chicken, and all of your other ingredients between two bowls and garnish.

Tips for making This Healthy Burrito Bowl

1. Don’t skip rinsing the rice. Rinsing rice washes the starch off the exterior of the rice grains—starch that will bind the rice grains together while it’s cooking, resulting in clumpy rice. This excess starch is great if you’re making risotto, but for this lime cilantro rice, we want the grains to be separate and fluffy. For more tips on how to cook rice, just click on the link.
2. Serve these bowls warm or cold. You can enjoy these burrito bowls as soon as you’ve made them, or, make the rice and chicken ahead of time and just build them when you need. They are a great option for meal prep.
3. Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing it. This will help to keep the juices in the meat so that it is not dry.
4. Marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours. If you have the time, marinating the chicken for a longer period of time will result in more flavorful meat. However, it is not necessary to marinate the chicken for a full 24 hours for this recipe to be delicious.
5. Choose the best limes for juicing. To make sure you get the juice you need, choose limes that feel smoother and relatively thin-skinned—these are guaranteed to be the juiciest!  

What To Serve With Your Burrito Bowl

• Pita Chips
• Sweet Potato Chips
• Oven Baked Potato Chips
• Homemade Salsa
• Corn Salsa
• Black Bean Salsa
• Peach Salsa

Frequently asked questions

This chicken burrito bowl is one of my favorite go-to meals as it’s a great recipe to pull together with bits and pieces you have in your fridge or from “Taco Tuesday” leftovers. It’s full of healthy and fresh ingredients and totally customizable. I hope you enjoy them!

For more Tex Mex recipes:

• Taco Salad Meal Prep
• Grilled Fish Tacos
• Zucchini Enchiladas
• Baked Chicken Tacos
• Beef Taco Burritos
• Shrimp Fajita Bowls

If you try this feel good Chicken Burrito Bowl recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!

This Chicken Burrito Bowl recipe was originally published on March 14, 2017. The recipe has been slightly modified, and the post now includes new step-by-step photos for how to make the burrito bowl recipe.