Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowl

This Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowl is a crave-worthy dinner. It’s loaded with tastes and flavors of a burrito but served in a bowl. Grilled chicken, black beans, salsa, sliced avocado, sour cream and shredded lettuce, and white rice (as a base) are arranged together in the bowl. Very eye-catching, making it suitable to make any time, especially in scorching days of summer. It’s now one of the “irresistible” dishes of my family.

You can swap white rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice if you prefer cutting the carbs of meals. Your burrito bowl is still tasty and flavorful.

You even replace grilled chicken with grilled shrimp, grilled salmon or grilled pork if you like. As the recipe is quite flexible, just adapt it so that it best fits the taste of your family.  

If you want to turn chicken into a full meal, just give this grilled chicken burrito bowl a try. I’ve tried it with my family many times and it still made us fall in love with.

It’s worth mentioning that this chicken is defined by its marinade. It’s made with lime juice, sugar, kosher salt, ground cumin, minced garlic, smoked paprika., onion powder, chili power, olive oil and water. Chilled with chicken for 30 minutes, it makes chicken seasoned to perfection.

Let’s check it out!

Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowl

Recipe by GenevaWatsonCourse: Main, DinnerCuisine: MexicanDifficulty: Medium

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

This Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowl is a crave-worthy dinner. It’s loaded with tastes and flavors of a burrito but served in a bowl. Grilled chicken, black beans, salsa, sliced avocado, sour cream and shredded lettuce, and white rice (as a base) are arranged together in the bowl.

Ingredients

• For chicken

• 1 1/4 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

• 2 cloves garlic minced

• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1-2 tablespoons chili powder

• ¼ cup olive oil

• ⅓ cup lime juice

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• ¼ cup water

• Other ingredients

• 3 cups cooked white or brown rice or quinoa

• 1 15- ounce can of black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1/2 cup salsa or pico de gallo

• 1 avocado thinly sliced

• 1/4 cup light sour cream

• 1/2 cup shredded romaine lettuce

• 1/3 cup chopped cilantro leaves

• the juice of 1 lime

• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• To make marinade, gather lime juice, olive oil and water into a large resealable bag. Add garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder and chili powder. Seal and shake to combine.
• Add chicken, seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours to marinate.
• Preheat a grill, grill pan or skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
• Once done, let cool and chop into bite sized pieces.
• Place rice or quinoa in a large bowl; add cilantro, lime juice and salt and pepper to taste; toss to coat the rice evenly.
• To assemble, divide rice between 4 bowls.
• Place chicken, beans, salsa, avocado, sour cream and lettuce on top of rice.
• Serve immediately!

Notes

• The Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowl is a flavorful and colorful meal that not only tastes great but also is visually inviting. The chicken, bean, avocado, and corn combine to make this bowl vibrant and nutritious. Its outlook can satisfy any picky eater, and its nutrients will provide more than enough for a main dish. This recipe is also simple and time-saving, compared to other dishes. Simply marinate the chicken in the fridge overnight, and when you wake up tomorrow, it will take you around 20 minutes to prepare. I love this convenience soooo much.

Ingredient note:

When preparing the chicken, add chili lime for an extra flavor. The marinating process takes time for the seasonings to infuse with the chicken meat. Longer time means better flavor.

In case you worry that normal white rice may contain too many carbs, try brown rice for a healthier alternative.

Black bean provides fiber and protein. This ingredient is versatile and can be used in both savory and sweet foods.

Tips:

The recipe includes many types of veggies, so it’s best to use fresh ingredients for maximum flavor.

After marinating, you can grill the chicken instead of pan-searing for a smoky note and juicy texture. I would do this once in a while to bring a new taste to an old recipe.

Don’t rush when preparing the chicken. Let the chicken marinate for a least 30 minutes before cooking. The flavor will be so different if you give enough time for the seasonings to infuse.

Assemble the bowl with a mix of cold and warm ingredients for a better contrast. It tastes better when doing this.

Nutritional facts:

It carries about 570 kcal per serving, mainly from the carbs of rice. This indicates the bowl is fulfilling enough for a major meal, but not overwhelmingly high in calories.

The recipe is also high in protein, provided by chicken and black beans. These ingredients are all easy to digest and absorb, making them a great choice for a mixed bowl recipe.

The green veggies provide fiber that helps boost the digestive system.

Serving recommendations:

Best side dishes:

Cilantro Lime Rice – enhance the freshness of the dish with its flavorful base. Grilled Corn on the Cob – extra smokiness and a mild, natural sweet taste that pairs well with the grilled chicken.

Black Bean Salad – more protein never hurts; the tangy lime dressing highlights each flavor and adds freshness.

Tortilla Chips & Salsa – the bowl will be the perfect topping for this side dish, use the tortilla chips to scoop up some topping, and enjoy an indulgent bite with each bite.

Mexican Street Corn (Elote) – creamy and cheesy, this side dish will complement and balance the flavor of the burrito bowl.

Beverages:

Classic Margarita – helps balance the smoky note of the grilled chicken, thanks to its refreshing citrusy note.
Agua Fresca – healthy and hydrating, this is a type of fruit-infused water (like watermelon, strawberry, or hibiscus) that can be used instead of soda for a healthier option.

Iced Herbal Tea – mint or hibiscus tea would be perfect to enhance the freshness of the bowl.

Presentation tips:

Assemble the ingredients in a wide bowl to allow for easy mixing.

Garnish with cilantro leaves or slices of avocado for a vibrant look. Arrange each ingredient in a separate section for a more elegant presentation, do not mix them all up just yet.

FAQs:

Can I use other parts of the chicken? Absolutely! I recommend skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. They have a tender, slightly chewy texture and are juicier compared to the chicken breasts.

What can I do if I want to make this bowl vegan? The recipe is versatile, and you just need to replace the chicken with a plant-based ingredient to make it vegan. I recommend grilled tofu and some extra beans to provide more protein.

How do I store the leftovers? Keep the leftovers in an air-tight container in your fridge for a maximum of 3 days. However, if it smells bad or tastes weird, discard it right away.

Can I make this bowl spicier? Yes. Try adding chopped jalapeno or salsa for extra heat. You can also try pepper flakes for the same purpose.