EASY MEAL PREP Chicken Burrito Bowls!! Tons of short-cuts for a better than a restaurant burrito bowl! via chelseasmessyapron.com

Chicken Burrito Bowls combine deliciously seasoned chicken, cilantro-lime rice, and your favorite toppings for a delicious meal. Great for meal prepping!

Chicken Burrito Bowls freshly made.

The Best Chicken Burrito Bowls

When I have to host something and need a quick, easy, and universally loved dish, I always think of these chicken burrito bowls and if I have vegetarians, I make sweet potato burrito bowls. It’s one of those dinners that truly everyone likes, and it looks impressive while actually being pretty dang simple.

If I haven’t convinced you yet, here are a few other reasons I love this recipe:

  • Super Quick: Whip them up in no time, especially when you grab prepared store-bought toppings.
  • Customizable: Everyone can make their bowl just how they like it.
  • Great for Meal Prep: Prep once, enjoy all week.
  • Deliciously Seasoned: The chicken’s spice mix is a game-changer!
  • Picky Eater Pleaser: A hit with kids and adults alike.

Chicken Burrito Bowls Ingredients

  • Chicken: Choose small to medium breasts for even and quick cooking.
  • Spices: Combine onion powder, oregano, cumin, paprika, & chili powder for the most flavorful blend.
  • Olive Oil: Or use butter if preferred.
  • Rice: Try bone broth rice for even more protein! Or meal prep a big batch of white rice.
  • Black Beans: Use from a can or try these from-scratch.
  • Corn: Use fresh or sauté frozen. Or a spoonful of corn salsa adds loads of flavor.

Seasonings being mixed together and added to the meat.

Topping Ideas

Choose your favorite toppings for your Chicken Burrito Bowls:

  • Avocado: Choose ripe ones for a nice creamy addition.
  • Guacamole: Homemade is the best, or try these individual packs.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: Or try our easy Pico De Gallo.
  • Cheese: Sharp cheddar, Pepper Jack, Cotija, or your fave.
  • Jalapeños: Fresh or pickled for heat.
  • Lime: Freshly squeezed juice brightens flavors.
  • Cilantro: Adds freshness and vibrancy.
  • Pickled Red Onions: Tangy and flavorful.
  • Sauces: Try our famous Taco Sauce or creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce.

How To Make Chicken Burrito Bowls

  1. Prep Chicken: Trim any fat, slice for even thickness, and pound to be even.
  2. Season Chicken: Mix spices together and toss chicken evenly with oil and spice mix.
  3. Cook Chicken: Heat oil in skillet, cook chicken, then let rest.
  4. Prepare Rice: Cook cilantro-lime or plain rice.
  5. Assemble Bowls: Layer rice, then add chicken, and any toppings of choice. Enjoy!

Chicken Burrito Bowls with all the toppings.

Storage

  • Chicken: Cool, store in airtight container, refrigerate for up to 4 days.
  • Rice & Toppings: Keep separately in containers in the fridge. Avocado, guac, and pico best eaten fresh.

More Mexican-Inspired Favorites:

5 from 9 votes

Chicken Burrito Bowls

Indulge in Chicken Burrito Bowls, where perfectly seasoned chicken meets zesty cilantro-lime rice, topped with your favorites for a mouthwatering meal!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

  • Large pan

Ingredients 
 

Chicken

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts see note 1
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided

Rice and Toppings

Instructions 

  • Follow your chosen recipe for cilantro-lime, white, or brown rice. Make enough to yield 3โ€“4 cups.
  • Trim chicken and cut each breast in half horizontally to create four thin filets. Pound lightly with a meat mallet or frying pan for even thickness. Pat dry and place in a large bowl.
  • Stir together all seasonings in a small bowl. Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over chicken, toss, sprinkle with seasonings, and toss again.
  • Heat remaining oil in a pan over high heat. Cook chicken in a single layer with no overlap for 2โ€“4 minutes on each side until it reaches 165ยฐF. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Rest 5 mins then dice or slice.
  • Divide rice evenly into bowls. Divide chicken, black beans, corn, avocado, and tomatoes evenly among bowls. Add any optional toppings. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Recipe timing and seasoning quantities are based on using two small to medium chicken breasts, each weighing 1/2 pound, for a total of 1 pound of chicken.
Note 2: Sautรฉ frozen corn in butter or oil before adding, you can check this Black Bean Burrito Bowls recipe for detailed instructions. The frozen corn can also be replaced with 1 can of corn.
Note 3: I love topping these bowls with sour cream, Cotija, jalapeรฑos, lime, cilantro, pickled red onions, cilantro-lime sauce, and taco sauce. To cut down on prep time, you can also use store-bought salsa or pico de gallo, store-bought guacamole packs, and store-bought cilantro-lime sauce.
Storage: Cool the chicken and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days; keep the rice and toppings separate, with avocado, guacamole, and pico best enjoyed fresh.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 555kcal | Carbohydrates: 90g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 0.3mg | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 880mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 194IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

 

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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5 from 9 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




19 Comments

  1. Mary says:

    5 stars
    I made it for a meal, not individual meal prep. It was delicious especially the dressing!!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      I am so happy to hear! Thanks Mary! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Georgina says:

    5 stars
    I have made this twice now and it’s a big hit with the family!

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      So glad to hear! Thanks Georgina! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Cindy says:

    Hi, just to clarify is the 696 calories per serving, or for the 5 servings combined?
    Thanks!

  4. Dave says:

    Got your link from Alyssa’s site. I love Mexican-anything and this looks muy delicioso!! :-))

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      Me too!! So happy to have you here ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. chelseamessyapron says:

    Thank you! I actually found them at Smiths just by the paper goods (paper plates, plastic cups, plastic wrap, tin foil, etc.) They are made by Reynolds and great disposable tupperware!

  6. TPO says:

    Great recipe, I think we’ll try this over the weekend. Thanks for sharing!

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      Hope you love it! ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Sarah says:

    5 stars
    Perfect colours, perfect photos, perfect ingredients ! Hooked ! Have a pleasant day !

  8. Shawnna Griffin says:

    5 stars
    Hey girl- this look so yummy!

  9. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    These bowls look so yummy and they make a perfect meal for lunchtime!

  10. Izzy says:

    This looks so good!