Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowls

Are you looking for a fun and healthy dinner? I love making these grilled chicken burrito bowls because they taste just like a fancy restaurant. You get juicy meat, soft rice, and crunchy vegetables all in one big bowl. It is a great way to feed your family without spending too much money.

In this guide, I will show you every step to make the perfect bowl. You will learn how to cook the chicken so it stays soft and how to pick the best toppings. This meal is great for people who want to eat more vegetables but still want a filling dinner. Let’s get cooking!

Check out the full list of steps below to start your meal.

Why You Will Love This Simple Meal

I started making these bowls when I realized how much money I was spending on takeout. I found out that making them at home is actually very easy and tastes even better. You can change anything you want to fit what your kids or friends like to eat. It is also a very fast way to get dinner on the table during a busy week.

These bowls are great because they stay fresh for a long time. I often make a big batch on Sunday and eat them for lunch for a few days. The flavors actually get better after they sit in the fridge for a little bit. It is a smart way to save time and stay healthy without feeling bored of your food.

What You Need to Buy

Before you start, you need to check your kitchen for a few things. You will need chicken breasts or thighs. I like using breasts because they are lean, but thighs have more juice. You also need rice. You can use white rice or brown rice. If you are in a rush, the bags of rice you cook in the microwave work just fine too.

Don’t forget the canned items like black beans and corn. Make sure you rinse the beans in a strainer first so they don’t make your bowl look messy. For the fresh stuff, get some bell peppers, a red onion, and a few limes. The lime juice is the secret to making everything taste bright and fresh. IMO, you can never have too many limes for this recipe!

How to Prepare the Chicken

First, I cut my chicken into small bite-sized pieces. This helps it cook faster and more evenly. If you leave the chicken whole, it might get dry on the outside before the inside is done. I learned this the hard way when I first started cooking! Now, I always cut it first or use a meat hammer to make it thin.

Put the chicken in a bowl with some oil, salt, pepper, and taco spices. You can buy a packet of taco seasoning at the store to make it simple. Let it sit for about ten minutes so the flavors sink in. Then, put it on a hot pan or a grill. Cook it until it is no longer pink inside. It usually takes about 6 to 8 minutes if the pieces are small.

Making the Best Fluffy Rice

Rice is the base of your bowl, so you want it to be good. I always wash my rice under cold water before I cook it. This gets rid of the extra powder that makes rice sticky. If you don’t wash it, your rice might turn into a big clump. Just put it in a bowl of water, swirl it around, and pour the water out a few times.

When the rice is finished cooking, I add a little bit of butter and the juice from half a lime. I also chop up some green cilantro and stir it in. This makes it taste just like the rice at famous burrito shops. If you do not like cilantro, you can use parsley or just leave it out. The lime juice still does a great job of making it taste special.

Cooking the Veggies and Beans

While the chicken is cooking, you can work on the vegetables. I cut up my bell peppers and onions into long strips. Put them in a pan with a little bit of oil and cook them until they are soft and have some brown spots. These brown spots are where all the sweet flavor comes from. It makes the veggies taste like they came off a real grill.

For the beans and corn, you don’t even have to cook them if you don’t want to. I usually just warm them up in a small pot with a tiny bit of salt. You can also mix them together to make a simple salsa. If you like spicy food, you can add a few drops of hot sauce to the beans while they warm up. It adds a nice kick to the whole bowl.

Building Your Perfect Bowl

Now comes the fun part! I like to set everything out on the counter like a buffet. This lets everyone build their own bowl exactly how they want it. Start with a big scoop of rice at the bottom. Then, put the chicken on one side and the beans on the other. This keeps the colors looking bright and pretty.

Add your cooked peppers and onions in the middle. Then you can pile on the cold toppings. I love adding a big scoop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. FYI, Greek yogurt tastes almost the same as sour cream but has more protein. It is a smart trick if you want to be a little healthier. Add some cheese and maybe some sliced avocado on top to finish it off.

The Best Toppings to Add

Toppings are what make a burrito bowl feel like a treat. I always have a jar of salsa in my fridge for this. You can use mild salsa if you don’t like heat, or chunky salsa for extra texture. Shredded cheese is a must-have too. I usually buy a bag of Mexican blend cheese because it melts very fast on the warm chicken.

If you want some crunch, you can crush up a few tortilla chips and sprinkle them on top. Some people also like to add shredded lettuce at the very end. This adds a fresh feeling to the warm meal. Just make sure to add the cold stuff last so it doesn’t get soggy. A little bit of extra lime juice squeezed over the top makes everything pop!

How to Store and Reheat

If you have leftovers, you are in luck! These bowls stay good in the fridge for about three to four days. I suggest keeping the cold toppings in a separate small container. If you heat up the lettuce and sour cream in the microwave, it will not taste very good. Keep the rice, chicken, and beans together because they all need to be hot.

When you are ready to eat, just put your bowl in the microwave for about two minutes. I like to put a damp paper towel over the top of the bowl. This keeps the rice from getting hard and dry while it heats up. Once it is hot, add your fresh salsa and avocado. It will taste almost as good as the day you first made it!

Ways to Change the Recipe

You don’t always have to use chicken for this recipe. Sometimes I use ground beef or even shrimp. If you do not eat meat, you can just use extra beans or some tofu. It is a very flexible meal. You can also swap the white rice for quinoa if you want something different. Quinoa has a nutty taste and is very good for you.

This recipe might not work well if you overcook the chicken. If the chicken gets too dry, it can be hard to chew. A good tip is to take the chicken off the heat as soon as the pink color is gone. Let it rest for a few minutes before you cut it. This keeps the juices inside the meat. Also, if your rice is too mushy, you might have used too much water. Follow the box directions carefully!

My Favorite Bowl Questions

Can I make this meal without a grill?

Yes! You can use a regular frying pan on your stove. Just use a little oil and cook the chicken over medium heat until it is brown.

What can I use instead of cilantro?

If you do not like cilantro, you can use fresh parsley. You can also just use extra lime juice and green onions for flavor.

How do I keep my avocado from turning brown?

Squeeze a little bit of lime juice on the avocado slices. The acid in the juice helps keep the green color for a longer time.

Is this recipe good for losing weight?

Yes! It has lots of protein and fiber. To make it even lighter, use more lettuce and less rice and cheese.

Can I freeze the burrito bowls?

You can freeze the cooked chicken, beans, and rice. Do not freeze the fresh veggies, salsa, or sour cream as they will get mushy.

Time to Start Cooking

Making your own grilled chicken burrito bowls is a great way to eat well and save money. You can mix and match your favorite flavors to make the perfect dinner every single time. Now, go grab your ingredients and enjoy your meal!