If you’re craving bold flavors, customizable ingredients, and a wholesome meal that satisfies without compromise, look no further than these Build-Your-Own Chicken Burrito Bowls. Bursting with vibrant ingredients like seasoned chicken, rice, beans, and fresh toppings, these bowls deliver the Tex-Mex flavors you love in a simple and healthful way. Whether you’re prepping meals for the week or serving dinner for the whole family, these burrito bowls are designed to impress—and satisfy.
Crafted with flexibility in mind, this recipe gives you the power to tailor every component to your tastes, preferences, and dietary goals. From the type of protein to the choice of grains and vegetables, it’s easy to turn this one recipe into many delicious variations. Whether you’re following a low-carb diet, feeding picky eaters, or looking to spice things up with bold flavors, this dish has something for everyone.
Why You’ll Absolutely Love These Chicken Burrito Bowls
These Chicken Burrito Bowls are more than just a meal—they’re a lifestyle hack for busy families, health-conscious individuals, and food lovers alike. Here’s why they’re a must-make:
- Highly Customizable – Choose your favorite grains, proteins, veggies, and toppings. No two bowls need to be the same!
- Meal Prep Friendly – Prepare all the components in advance for quick and easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.
- Packed with Nutrition – Full of lean protein, whole grains, and fiber-rich beans, plus a variety of fresh veggies.
- Faster Than Takeout – Ready in just about 30 minutes, making them ideal for busy weeknights.
- Perfect for Families – Let everyone build their own bowl, making it fun for kids and satisfying for adults.
- Budget-Conscious – Many of the ingredients are pantry staples and easily accessible.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
To make this vibrant and satisfying burrito bowl, you’ll need two main components: seasoned chicken and flavorful bowl ingredients.
For the Chicken:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Olive oil
- Fresh lime juice
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt and pepper
For the Bowl:
- Cooked white rice, brown rice, or cilantro-lime rice
- Black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- Sweet corn (can be canned, frozen, or fresh off the cob)
- Cherry tomatoes, halved, or a scoop of salsa
- Ripe avocado or a dollop of creamy guacamole
- Finely chopped red onion
- Freshly chopped cilantro
- Optional: shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend), Greek yogurt or sour cream, lime wedges, and hot sauce
This well-balanced lineup of ingredients brings together protein, fiber, healthy fats, and tons of texture in every bite. Don’t hesitate to substitute or add ingredients based on your preferences or what you have on hand.
Directions
1. Season and Cook the Chicken:
Start by placing your chicken in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and squeeze fresh lime juice over the top. Sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated.
For best results, let it marinate for 10–15 minutes (optional, but adds depth of flavor).
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Once cooked, transfer to a plate and allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing or dicing.
2. Prepare the Bowl Components:
While the chicken cooks, get your burrito bowl ingredients ready. Warm up the cooked rice and beans either in the microwave or on the stovetop. Dice the avocado, slice the tomatoes, and finely chop the red onion and cilantro.
3. Assemble the Burrito Bowls:
Divide the warm rice evenly between serving bowls. Layer with black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and the sliced cooked chicken. Add avocado or guacamole and scatter some red onion and cilantro over the top.
4. Add Your Toppings:
Finish your bowl with the toppings of your choice—shredded cheese, a spoonful of Greek yogurt or sour cream, your favorite salsa, a drizzle of hot sauce, and a fresh squeeze of lime juice.
5. Serve and Enjoy:
These burrito bowls are best enjoyed fresh, but they also make excellent leftovers. Serve immediately or pack them into meal prep containers for a satisfying lunch or dinner later in the week.
Servings and Timing
- Serves: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Quick enough for weeknights, these bowls come together fast without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
Recipe Variations
Here are some delicious ways to change up your Chicken Burrito Bowls and make them your own:
- Spicy Edition: Add chopped jalapeños, use a spicier salsa, or drizzle on your favorite hot sauce.
- Low-Carb Option: Replace rice with cauliflower rice or an extra bed of shredded lettuce.
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the chicken and swap in grilled vegetables, tofu, or an extra scoop of beans.
- Tex-Mex Style: Use cilantro-lime rice and chipotle crema for a bold, smoky twist.
- Breakfast Bowl: Replace rice with breakfast potatoes and top with scrambled eggs for a morning-ready meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips
One of the best things about burrito bowls is how well they store. Follow these simple tips to keep everything fresh:
- Storage: Keep all components (chicken, rice, beans, toppings) in separate airtight containers. This prevents sogginess and helps maintain freshness. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Warm chicken, rice, and beans in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat. Add cold toppings like lettuce, tomato, avocado, and yogurt just before serving.
- Freezing: You can freeze the cooked chicken, rice, and beans in airtight containers. Avoid freezing fresh ingredients like avocado, lettuce, and tomato as their texture changes when thawed.
Chicken Burrito Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 0.5 juice of lime
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 can black beans 15 oz, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn fresh, frozen, or canned
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 avocado diced
- 0.25 cup red onion finely diced
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, lime wedges, hot sauce optional toppings
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, olive oil, lime juice, and all spices. Mix well to coat the chicken thoroughly.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Remove from heat and let rest before slicing.
- Prepare your bowls: divide the cooked rice evenly into 4 bowls. Top each with black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, red onion, and cilantro.
- Add the sliced chicken to each bowl and finish with any desired toppings such as shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, or a squeeze of lime.
- Serve immediately or store in meal prep containers for up to 4 days. Add fresh toppings right before serving.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grill the chicken instead of cooking it in a skillet?
Absolutely! Grilled chicken brings a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the other burrito bowl ingredients. Cook over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
What kind of rice works best?
White rice, brown rice, or cilantro-lime rice all make excellent bases. Choose the one that matches your flavor preferences and dietary goals.
Can I prep this meal ahead of time?
Definitely. You can prepare all the components in advance and store them separately. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the cooked items and assemble the bowls.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes! These bowls are filled with wholesome ingredients like lean chicken, fiber-rich beans, heart-healthy fats from avocado, and plenty of veggies. Best of all, you’re in control of the portion sizes and ingredients.
What are the best toppings for burrito bowls?
Go wild with toppings! Think: avocado, salsa, cheese, Greek yogurt, cilantro, hot sauce, pickled onions, or a squeeze of lime.
Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Using rotisserie or leftover chicken is a fantastic time-saver. Just season it lightly to match the rest of the flavors in the bowl.
Are these bowls gluten-free?
Yes, as long as your taco seasoning and any pre-made sauces or toppings are certified gluten-free, the whole bowl is naturally gluten-free.
What are some other protein options besides chicken?
You can switch things up with grilled shrimp, steak, ground turkey, tofu, or even extra beans for a plant-based protein boost.
Can I freeze this meal?
The cooked chicken, rice, and beans can all be frozen for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating. Avoid freezing fresh toppings like lettuce and avocado.
How do I make sure the chicken stays juicy?
Be careful not to overcook it! Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness (165°F) and let the chicken rest before slicing to retain moisture.
Final Thoughts
These Build-Your-Own Chicken Burrito Bowls are the ultimate combination of convenience, nutrition, and crave-worthy flavor. Perfect for quick dinners, make-ahead lunches, or casual gatherings, they offer something for every palate. The ability to personalize each bowl ensures that everyone at the table gets exactly what they want—and you get the peace of mind of serving a healthy, balanced meal.
Simple, satisfying, and endlessly customizable, this burrito bowl recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again. So grab your ingredients, fire up the skillet, and get ready to enjoy a restaurant-worthy meal right in your own kitchen.