Description
These Spicy Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowls are a vibrant and healthy meal that tastes like your favorite fast-casual burrito bowl but made right at home. Featuring tender chicken marinated in a smoky chipotle-lime sauce and served over fluffy cilantro lime rice, these bowls are bursting with bold flavors. Packed with fresh veggies, black beans, and sweet corn, this customizable dish is perfect for meal prepping or a fun family dinner where everyone builds their own bowl.
Ingredients
The Chipotle Chicken Marinade
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 chipotle chilis in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from the can)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
The Cilantro Lime Rice
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed well
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- 1 lime, zested + 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
The Assembly
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup tomatoes, diced
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 small red onion, chopped
Instructions
Marinate Chicken
In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, 3 tablespoons lime juice, chopped chipotle chilies, adobo sauce, garlic powder, and salt.
Coat
Add the chicken strips and toss to coat thoroughly.
Rest
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (up to overnight) to tenderize and flavor the meat.
Make Rice
While chicken marinates (or cooks), combine the water, salt, and rinsed rice in a pot.
Cook
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until water is absorbed.
Flavor
Remove from heat. Uncover and fluff with a fork. Stir in the lime zest, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Season with extra salt if needed.
Cook Chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear: Remove chicken from the marinade (discard excess liquid) and add to the hot pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Assemble
Build your bowls by layering cilantro lime rice and chopped romaine lettuce at the bottom.
Top
Add the spicy chicken, diced tomatoes, avocado, corn, black beans, and red onion.
Serve
Serve immediately with extra lime wedges or your favorite salsa.
Notes
Rinsing Rice: Do not skip rinsing the rice! It removes surface starch, preventing the rice from becoming a gummy block.
Citrus Timing: Add the lime juice to the rice after it cooks. Cooking rice in acidic water can make the texture tough, and adding it at the end preserves the fresh, bright flavor.
Spice Control: Chipotle peppers pack a punch. For a milder dish, scrape the seeds out of the peppers before chopping, or use only 1 pepper instead of 3.
Meal Prep: Store the chicken, rice, and bean/corn mixture in microwave-safe containers. Keep the cold ingredients (lettuce, tomato, avocado) in a separate baggie or container to add fresh after reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (+ marinating)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Bowls
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bowl
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: chipotle chicken bowl, burrito bowl recipe, cilantro lime rice, meal prep lunch, healthy chicken dinner, spicy chicken recipe, gluten free dinner