Craving Chipotle but want to stay in? This homemade chicken burrito bowl has all the flavors you love and is made right in your own kitchen.
The juicy, chipotle-marinated chicken thighs are so flavorful and pair perfectly with the bright cilantro lime rice.
Layer on creamy black beans, sweet roasted corn, and fresh pico de gallo for that authentic Mexican flair.
Who needs takeout when you can create your burrito bowl masterpiece at home?
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Burrito Bowl
Taste Sensation: The combination of smoky chipotle-marinated chicken, zesty cilantro-lime rice, and fresh toppings creates a mouthwatering medley of textures and tastes.
Customizable Creation: This recipe allows you to personalize your bowl with various toppings. It’s perfect for picky eaters or those with dietary preferences.
Meal Prep-Friendly: Prepare components in advance for quick and easy assembly throughout the week, saving time on busy days.
Easy Preparation: With simple steps for marinating, grilling, and assembling, this recipe is quick and easy.
Ingredients
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: They’re juicy, flavorful, and perfect for soaking up the smoky chipotle marinade.
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Fiery, smoky peppers pack a punch of heat and depth.
- Lime: It’s bright, citrusy, and essential for balancing the rich flavors.
- Garlic: It’s the backbone of any good marinade.
- Olive Oil: It helps the marinade cling to the chicken.
- Seasonings: I use ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Long Grain White Rice: It’s the perfect canvas for the cilantro-lime treatment.
- Butter: It takes the rice from ordinary to extraordinary.
- Fresh Cilantro: It adds a pop of freshness to the dish.
- Toppings: Try black beans, corn, romaine lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado, sour cream, and Monterey Jack cheese.
How to Make a Chicken Burrito Bowl
Making these bowls is almost as easy as heading to Chipotle.
1. Marinate. In a blender, combine the chipotle peppers, lime juice, garlic, olive oil, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. Place chicken thighs in a large resealable bag and pour in the marinade. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 8 hours.
2. Cook the rice. Cook the rice in 3 1/2 cups of water according to package instructions. When done, stir in the butter, chopped cilantro, lime juice and salt to taste.
3. Grill the chicken. Grill the marinated chicken on medium-high heat for about 6 minutes per side, until cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes then slice.
4. Assemble. Divide the cilantro lime rice and lettuce between 4 bowls. Top each with black beans, corn, pico de gallo, sliced chicken, avocado, sour cream and shredded cheese.
5. Serve. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade chicken burrito bowl!
Tips for the Best Chicken Burrito Bowl
Follow these trips for the true takeout-at-home experience.
- Fresh is best. Use fresh ingredients like romaine lettuce, pico de gallo, and avocado to add freshness and texture to the burrito bowl.
- Let it marinate well. Allow the chicken to marinate for the full 8 hours to get the most flavor from the chipotle peppers and spices.
- Get a step ahead. Prepare the components of the burrito bowl ahead of time, such as cooking the rice and grilling the chicken. This makes assembly easier and faster.
- Go wild with toppings. Offer a variety of toppings so everyone can customize their burrito bowl to their liking.
- Switch it up. Consider variations like using chicken breasts instead of thighs. Make it vegetarian with roasted vegetables, or adding a drizzle of chipotle cream sauce for extra flavor.
How to Store
If you are meal prepping or storing leftovers, follow these steps.
To Store: Place the chicken, rice, and toppings in separate air-tight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Keep the avocado and lettuce separate to maintain freshness.
To Freeze: Freeze the chicken and rice in individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and adding fresh toppings.
To Reheat: Reheat the chicken and rice in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through. Add fresh toppings like lettuce and avocado just before serving.
Chicken Burrito Bowl
4
servings15
minutes12
minutes696
kcalThis chicken burrito bowl is just as good as Chipotle! Loaded with tender chicken, beans, rice, tomatoes, corn, and avocado, it has everything you crave.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 cup chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 lime, juiced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
- For the Cilantro Lime Rice
2 cups long grain white rice
3 1/2 cups water
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Juice of 1 lime
Salt to taste
- For the Toppings
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen roasted corn, thawed
1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup pico de gallo
1 avocado, sliced
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the chipotle peppers, lime juice, garlic, olive oil, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. Place chicken thighs in a large resealable bag and pour in the marinade. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 8 hours.
- Cook the rice in 3 1/2 cups of water according to package instructions. When done, stir in the butter, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and salt to taste.
- Grill the marinated chicken on medium-high heat for about 6 minutes per side, until cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes then slice.
- To assemble the bowls, divide the cilantro lime rice and lettuce between 4 bowls. Top each with black beans, corn, pico de gallo, sliced chicken, avocado, sour cream, and shredded cheese.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade chicken burrito bowl!
Notes
- Use chicken breasts instead of thighs if you prefer.
- Make it vegetarian by replacing the chicken with roasted vegetables like bell peppers and onions.
- Add a drizzle of chipotle cream sauce on top, made by blending sour cream, adobo sauce, lime juice, and spices.
- Prep the components ahead of time for easy meal prep lunches throughout the week.
