Quick Easy Protein Chicken Burrito Bowl
Easy chicken burrito bowl with fluffy rice, fresh vegetables, salsa, and fried beans. A quick, healthy, and flavorful Mexican-inspired meal prep burrito bowl for lunch or dinner.
A meal prep burrito bowl is the perfect busy-weeknight dish. It’s convenient, flavorful, and well-balanced, typically featuring tender cooked chicken breast paired with a colorful assortment of fresh vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, and red onions. Many versions also include refried beans, shredded cheese, and a drizzle of salsa or sour cream for extra richness. This make ahead protein bowl is incredibly easy to prepare and stores well in the fridge for several days, making it ideal for a quick dinner.
Looking for more chicken recipes to try? Also, check out these easy One Pan Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms or Sheet Pan Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs.
Protein Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe
Texture: crunchy, tender, crisp.
Taste: salty with Mexican inspired spices and jalapeno heat.
Simplicity: very easy to make, just cook the chicken and serve it with veggies.
Meal Type: dinner, meal prep.
Protein Bowl Ingredients Needed
- Chicken Breast – main protein for the bowl.
- Oil – helps cook and brown the chicken.
- Lime Juice – brightens and balances flavors.
- Smoked Paprika – adds smoky depth.
- Cumin – brings earthy, warm flavor.
- Garlic Powder – adds savory aroma.
- Onion Powder – enhances overall taste.
- Chili – provides mild heat.
- Salt – enhances overall flavor.
Toppings for the Bowl
- Corn – sweet crunch.
- Lettuce – fresh, crisp texture.
- Refried Beans – hearty, protein-rich addition.
- Tomato – juicy, tangy taste.
- Red Onion – sharp, slightly sweet bite.
- Radishes – peppery crunch.
- Cucumber – cool, refreshing texture.
- Salsa – tangy, zesty flavor.
- Cilantro – fresh, herbal note.
- Jalapeno – mild heat and spice.
- Cheese – creamy, savory flavor.
- Sour Cream – adds extra flavor and creaminess.
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How to make Chicken Burrito Bowl
So, give this quick and easy Protein Chicken Burrito Bowl comforting dish a try! (Full recipe below with ingredients list).
- Firstly, beat the chicken to flatten it.
- In a bowl, mix the spices with 2 tablespoons of oil, lime juice, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, chili and salt to make the marinade. Coat the chicken in the marinade and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Heat a pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 10–15 minutes, or until fully cooked.
- Cut the chicken into strips. Next, assemble the bowl, arrange the toppings around the rice and chicken: corn, lettuce, refried beans, chopped tomato, red onion, sliced radishes, and sliced cucumber.
- Finally, add salsa, chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapeños. Finish by sprinkling shredded cheese on top.
Meal Prep Chicken Burrito Bowl Tips
- You can substitute any vegetables you like based on your taste preferences or what you have on hand. Burrito bowls are extremely flexible, so feel free to add ingredients like bell peppers, avocados, shredded cabbage, or even roasted veggies for extra texture and flavor.
- For smoother assembly, prepare and chop all the vegetables first before cooking the chicken breast. Additionally, having everything prepped ahead of time makes it easier to put the protein bowl together quickly and helps keep the workflow organized.
- Marinate the chicken breast for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors fully absorb. Also, If you want an even deeper, richer taste, you can marinate the chicken overnight, just be sure to keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
- In addition, you can serve the cooked chicken with homemade Cilantro Lime Rice and your prepared vegetables for a fresh, flavorful, and balanced meal.
Burrito Bowl with Chicken FAQ’s
A chicken burrito bowl is a type of protein bowl inspired by traditional Mexican inspired burritos, but served without the tortilla. It typically features a base of rice or grains, topped with a protein such as chicken, pork, beef, or fish, and a variety of fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and corn. Additional toppings often include beans, cheese, salsa, avocado, and cilantro, making it a flavorful and customizable meal that’s both hearty and nutritious.
It’s essentially a complete, balanced meal in a bowl: protein, carbs, veggies, and fresh flavors all in one.
Base: Rice (white, brown, or Cilantro Lime Rice), Quinoa or other grains (optional)
Protein: Grilled, baked, or sautéed chicken
Other meats for meal prep burrito bowl: beef, pork, fish, or tofu.
Vegetables: Lettuce, Tomatoes, Corn, Cucumber, Red onion, Bell peppers, Radishes etc.
Beans: Black beans, Pinto beans, Refried beans.
Toppings: Salsa or pico de gallo, Avocado or guacamole, Chopped cilantro, Lime wedges, Shredded cheese, Sour cream or Greek yogurt, Jalapeño slices.
You can freeze the cooked rice and chicken together without any issues. Beans and cooked corn also freeze well and can be stored in the same container as the rice and chicken. This makes it easy to portion out complete bases for future burrito bowls.
Fresh vegetables, such as lettuce, cucumbers, and radishes, as well as avocado should always be kept separate. These ingredients don’t freeze well and tend to lose their texture and freshness. Add them only after reheating the bowl so they stay crisp and vibrant.
For best results, freeze the components in airtight, freezer safe containers and label them with the date. Lastly, when you’re ready to enjoy the bowl, simply thaw and reheat the rice, chicken, beans, and corn, then top with your fresh veggies and any additional toppings like salsa, sour cream, or cheese.
Other Dinner Ideas
- Best Swedish Meatballs
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Mexican Buffet Menu Ideas
- Spicy Harissa Grilled Chicken
- Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
- Chicken Buddha Bowl with Avocado Dressing
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Chicken Burrito Bowl
Ingredients
Chicken Breast
- 2 chicken breasts
- 3 Tbsp. oil divided
- 1 Tbsp. lime juice
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp. cumin
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. chili
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Burrito Bowl
- 1 1/2 cups cilantro lime rice cooked rice
- 1 cup corn frozen and cooked
- 1 cup lettuce
- 1/2 cup refried beans from a can
- 1 tomato medium-sized, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. red onion chopped
- 2 radishes sliced
- 1/4 cup cucumber few slices
- 3 Tbsp. salsa store-bought
- 2 Tbsp. cilantro chopped
- 1 pickled jalapenos sliced
- 1/2 cup cheese
- 1/3 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Beat the chicken to flatten it.2 chicken breasts
- In a bowl, mix the spices with 2 tablespoons of oil, lime juice, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, chili and salt to make the marinade.3 Tbsp. oil, 1 Tbsp. lime juice, 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp. cumin, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. onion powder, 1/4 tsp. chili, 1/4 tsp. salt
- Coat the chicken in the marinade and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Heat a pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 10–15 minutes, or until fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and cut it into slices.
- To assemble the bowl, arrange the toppings around the rice and sliced chicken breast: corn, lettuce, refried beans, chopped tomato, red onion, sliced radishes, and sliced cucumber.1 1/2 cups cilantro lime rice, 1 cup corn, 1 cup lettuce, 1/2 cup refried beans, 1 tomato, 2 Tbsp. red onion, 2 radishes, 1/4 cup cucumber
- Add salsa, chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapeños.3 Tbsp. salsa, 2 Tbsp. cilantro, 1 pickled jalapenos
- Finish by sprinkling shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream on top.1/2 cup cheese, 1/3 cup sour cream
Notes
- You can substitute any vegetables you like, based on your taste or what’s available.
- Prepare all the vegetables first, before cooking the chicken breast, so everything is ready to assemble the protein bowl.
- Marinate the chicken breast for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate. For even more flavor, you can marinate it overnight—just keep it covered in the refrigerator.
- Serve the cooked chicken with homemade Cilantro Lime Rice and your prepared vegetables for a fresh, flavorful, and balanced meal.
