Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe (Easy, Healthy & Better Than Takeout)
This easy Chicken Burrito Bowl recipe is loaded with juicy seasoned chicken, fluffy Mexican rice, black beans, sweet corn, fresh pico de gallo, creamy avocado, shredded cheese, and sour cream. It has all the flavors of your favorite burrito without the tortilla, making it an easy high-protein dinner or meal prep lunch.
These homemade chicken burrito bowls come together in about 30 minutes and are completely customizable. Add your favorite salsa, guacamole, lettuce, fajita vegetables, or hot sauce to make each bowl exactly how you like it.
Why You'll Love This Chicken Burrito Bowl
Ready in about 30 minutes
Easy high-protein meal
Perfect for weekly meal prep
Loaded with fresh ingredients
Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
Great for lunch or dinner
A delicious alternative to restaurant burrito bowls
Chicken Burrito Bowl Ingredients
For the Seasoned Chicken
1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked or regular paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Burrito Bowls
3 cups prepared Mexican rice
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn kernels, cooked or thawed
1 cup pico de gallo
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 avocado, sliced or diced
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Lime wedges, for serving
How to Make a Chicken Burrito Bowl
1. Season the Chicken
Add the diced chicken to a large bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil and fresh lime juice, then season with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Toss until every piece of chicken is evenly coated in the seasoning.
2. Cook the Chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken in an even layer.
Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is nicely browned and cooked through. The thickest pieces should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
3. Prepare the Rice and Beans
Warm the Mexican rice and black beans. If using frozen corn, heat it according to the package directions.
For even more flavor, you can sauté the corn in the chicken skillet for a few minutes until lightly charred.
4. Assemble the Burrito Bowls
Divide the warm Mexican rice between four bowls. Arrange the black beans, corn, seasoned chicken, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, and avocado over the rice.
5. Add the Toppings
Finish each chicken burrito bowl with a spoonful of sour cream, fresh cilantro, and a lime wedge.
Serve immediately while the chicken, rice, and beans are warm.
Best Chicken Burrito Bowl Toppings
One of the best things about homemade burrito bowls is how easy they are to customize. Try adding shredded lettuce, guacamole, salsa verde, roasted peppers and onions, jalapeños, pickled red onions, queso, crushed tortilla chips, or your favorite hot sauce.
Chicken Burrito Bowl Meal Prep
These chicken burrito bowls are perfect for meal prep, but you'll get the best results by keeping the cold and hot ingredients separate.
Divide the rice, chicken, black beans, and corn among airtight meal prep containers. Refrigerate the pico de gallo, avocado, sour cream, and other cold toppings separately.
When you're ready to eat, reheat the chicken and rice mixture and add the fresh toppings afterward.
Storage and Reheating
Store the cooked chicken, rice, beans, and corn in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the microwave until thoroughly warmed. Add avocado, pico de gallo, sour cream, cilantro, and other fresh toppings after reheating.
Recipe Variations
Chicken and Avocado Burrito Bowl: Add extra avocado or homemade guacamole for an extra creamy bowl.
Low-Carb Chicken Burrito Bowl: Replace the Mexican rice with cauliflower rice and add extra lettuce and vegetables.
Spicy Chicken Burrito Bowl: Add cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning and top the finished bowl with sliced jalapeños and hot salsa.
Fajita Chicken Burrito Bowl: Sauté sliced bell peppers and onions and add them alongside the chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes in a chicken burrito bowl?
A classic chicken burrito bowl usually includes seasoned chicken, rice, beans, salsa or pico de gallo, corn, cheese, avocado or guacamole, and sour cream. You can customize it with virtually any of your favorite burrito toppings.
Are chicken burrito bowls good for meal prep?
Yes. Chicken burrito bowls are especially convenient for meal prep because the chicken, rice, beans, and corn reheat well. Keep ingredients such as avocado, pico de gallo, and sour cream separate until serving.
Can I make a chicken burrito bowl without rice?
Absolutely. Replace the rice with cauliflower rice, shredded lettuce, quinoa, or additional beans and vegetables.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and stay especially juicy. Cook them until they reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
How do you keep chicken juicy in a burrito bowl?
Cut the chicken into similarly sized pieces so they cook evenly, cook over medium-high heat for good browning, and remove the chicken from the skillet once it reaches 165°F.
Final Thoughts
This easy Chicken Burrito Bowl recipe gives you everything you want in a satisfying burrito bowl: juicy seasoned chicken, Mexican rice, black beans, fresh vegetables, creamy avocado, cheese, and plenty of toppings.
It's quick enough for a 30-minute weeknight dinner but also practical enough to make several servings for meal prep. Once you have the basic bowl assembled, everyone can customize their own with their favorite toppings.