This Chicken Burrito Bowl comes together in about 30 minutes, all in one pot, for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Trust me, everyone will be asking for seconds!
Ingredients Breakdown
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice Fresh lime is best for flavor.
- 3 tablespoons olive oil Divided; can substitute with vegetable oil.
- 1 tablespoon chili powder For a spicier kick, consider cayenne pepper.
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin Can be replaced with ground coriander.
- 1.5 teaspoons minced garlic Fresh garlic is preferable.
- Salt and black pepper To taste.
Main Ingredients
- 1.75 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs Can substitute with chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken.
- 1 batch cilantro lime rice Use homemade or microwave packet.
- 2 ears fresh corn Shucked and cut from cobs.
- 1.5 cans black beans Liquid undrained for richness.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Sharp cheddar recommended.
- 2 roma tomatoes Chopped; any tomatoes can be used.
- 2 medium avocados Chopped; can use guacamole.
- 6 tablespoons chopped red onion For crunch; can substitute with green onions.
- 0.5 cup sour cream Can use Mexican crema or Greek yogurt.
- 2 tablespoons Mexican hot sauce Tapatío or Valentina recommended.
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken: Start by combining lime juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, chili powder, cumin, minced garlic, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk it all together until it’s well mixed. Toss in the chicken thighs, coat them well, make sure they get all that flavor! Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour (or all day if you’re meal prepping, just saying).
Cook the Chicken: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add the remaining ½ tablespoon of olive oil. Sear the chicken thighs for about 6 minutes on one side, until they develop a lovely golden crust. Flip them over and cook for another 6 minutes. You want the internal temperature to reach 165°F, and oh, the smell!. Once done, let the chicken rest before slicing.
Warm the Black Beans: In a medium saucepan, warm up 1 ½ cans of black beans over medium-low heat. Don’t forget to stir occasionally and season with a pinch of salt. Let them heat through for about 5 minutes. The aroma will be incredible!
Cook the Corn: Clean the skillet you used for the chicken, we want those yummy bits of flavor! Add another ½ tablespoon of oil and toss in the fresh corn. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until golden and slightly charred, stirring occasionally.
Assemble the Bowls: This is where the magic happens! Start layering your bowls. Begin with a hefty scoop of cilantro lime rice as the base. Top it generously with your sliced chicken, warm black beans, sautéed corn, shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, avocados, and diced red onion. Finish it with a dollop of sour cream and a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce. Whoa, just look at all those colors!
Serve and Enjoy! Get ready to dig in! This is comfort food that not only tastes good but will also leave everyone at the table smiling.
If you loved this Chicken Burrito Bowl, be sure to check out my Loaded Potato Taco Bowl or my Japanese Beef Bowl!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in about 30 minutes! Perfect for those busy weeknights when you just can’t spend hours in the kitchen.
One Pot Meal
I love that it all happens in one pot (plus the bowl, of course!), minimal cleanup always gives me a happy dance.
Budget-Friendly
It uses affordable, everyday ingredients that you can often find in your pantry! This is a great way to stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor.
Meal Prep Friendly
This is just the kind of recipe that’s perfect for meal prep! Marinade the chicken, chop the veggies in advance, and assemble whenever you’re ready to eat. You can even make a big batch for leftovers!
Crowd-Pleaser
The whole family will love it, and it’s customizable to suit picky eaters. Need to avoid dairy? Skip the cheese and sour cream. Want to make it vegetarian? Use beans and veggies instead of chicken!
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Chicken Burrito Bowl with tortilla chips, a side of salsa, or a light salad for a refreshing contrast! My kids love adding fresh cilantro or even a squeeze of extra lime on top, it’s a whole vibe!
Storage
If you have leftovers (which I doubt since it’s so good), store them in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll keep for about 3-4 days.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, pop it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway until warmed through. If you stored your ingredients separately, it’s best to reheat the rice and chicken in one bowl and the toppings separately.
Freezer Friendly?
Yup! You can freeze the chicken and rice separately. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Okay, so are you ready to dig in? This Chicken Burrito Bowl is a delicious, fun way to bring the family together for dinner. There’s really nothing quite like that first bite, it’s just heaven in a bowl!
Enjoy, friends! And follow us on Pinterest for daily inspiration that brings warmth to your table!
Chicken Burrito Bowl
Ingredients
Method
- Combine lime juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, chili powder, cumin, minced garlic, and a couple of pinches of salt and pepper in a large bowl.
- Whisk together until well mixed.
- Add chicken thighs and coat them well, then cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add the remaining ½ tablespoon of olive oil.
- Sear chicken thighs for about 6 minutes on one side until golden crust forms.
- Flip and cook for another 6 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest before slicing.
- In a medium saucepan, warm 1.5 cans of black beans over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Season with a pinch of salt and let heat through for about 5 minutes.
- Clean skillet from chicken and add another ½ tablespoon of oil.
- Toss in the fresh corn and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until golden and slightly charred.
- Layer bowls starting with cilantro lime rice as the base.
- Top with sliced chicken, warm black beans, sautéed corn, shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, avocados, and diced red onion.
- Finish with a dollop of sour cream and drizzle with hot sauce.
- Get ready to dig in and enjoy this comforting meal!