These macro-friendly burrito bowls are a fantastic option for anyone looking for a healthy, satisfying meal that’s also quick to prepare.
They are packed with fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors, making them a perfect choice for both a busy weeknight dinner or a prepped lunch to enjoy throughout the week. Each serving provides about 30 grams of protein.
This recipe focuses on whole foods, ensuring you get a nutritious meal without sacrificing taste. It’s designed to be straightforward, even for beginner cooks, and can easily be customized to fit your family’s preferences or whatever you have on hand in your pantry.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Macro-Friendly Chicken Burrito Bowls
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These macro-friendly burrito bowls are a fantastic option for anyone looking for a healthy, satisfying meal that’s also quick to prepare. They are packed with fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors, making them a perfect choice for both a busy weeknight dinner or a prepped lunch to enjoy throughout the week. Each serving provides about 30 grams of protein. This recipe focuses on whole foods, ensuring you get a nutritious meal without sacrificing taste. It’s designed to be straightforward, even for beginner cooks, and can easily be customized to fit your family’s preferences or whatever you have on hand in your pantry.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Prepare the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breasts and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. The chicken should be opaque throughout.
2. 2. Season the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, sprinkle the taco seasoning over it. Stir well to coat all the chicken pieces evenly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the seasoning to toast slightly and release its aroma.
3. 3. Add Vegetables and Beans: To the skillet with the seasoned chicken, add the rinsed black beans, drained corn, diced red bell pepper, and chopped red onion. Stir everything together and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly softened but still retain a bit of crispness.
4. 4. Assemble the Bowls: While the chicken and vegetables are cooking, prepare your bowls. Divide the cooked brown rice (or cauliflower rice) evenly among your serving bowls, creating a base.
5. 5. Layer the Ingredients: Spoon the chicken and vegetable mixture generously over the rice in each bowl.
6. 6. Add Fresh Toppings: Top each bowl with a dollop of salsa, a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro, and a generous portion of diced avocado.
7. 7. Serve and Garnish: Squeeze a lime wedge over each bowl just before serving for a burst of fresh flavor. Add any optional toppings like plain Greek yogurt, shredded lettuce, or a dash of hot sauce if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Cuisine: mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Protein: 30
Keywords: burrito bowl, chicken, healthy, meal prep, quick, easy, macro friendly, weeknight, gluten free, whole30
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true lifesaver for busy individuals and families who want to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen. You’ll love how quickly these burrito bowls come together, making them an ideal solution for those evenings when time is short but you still crave a homemade, wholesome meal. It’s also incredibly versatile, allowing you to adjust ingredients based on dietary needs or what’s fresh at the grocery store. These bowls are fantastic for meal prepping on a Sunday, providing healthy lunches or dinners that are ready to go throughout the week. They are naturally gluten-free and can easily be adapted for Whole30 or Paleo diets, making them suitable for a wide range of eating plans. Serve them for a casual family dinner, a healthy packed lunch, or even as a build-your-own bowl option for a relaxed gathering with friends.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking will make the process much smoother. This recipe relies on common pantry staples and fresh produce that are easy to find. The beauty of burrito bowls is their flexibility, so don’t hesitate to make simple substitutions if you’re missing an item or prefer something different.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup cooked brown rice or cauliflower rice
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Optional toppings: plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, shredded lettuce, hot sauce
For the protein, chicken breasts are a lean and versatile choice, but you could easily swap them for ground turkey, lean ground beef, or even plant-based protein like extra-firm tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian option. When choosing taco seasoning, look for brands with lower sodium content or make your own blend from spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder. If you don’t have fresh bell pepper, frozen mixed peppers work just as well. For the rice base, brown rice adds a hearty texture and fiber, but cauliflower rice is an excellent low-carb alternative that keeps the dish Whole30 and Paleo friendly. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought salsa, or whip up a quick homemade pico de gallo for extra freshness.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for efficiency, ensuring you can get a delicious and healthy meal on the table without a lot of fuss.
Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 15-20 minutes Total time: 30-35 minutes
The prep time includes chopping your vegetables and cubing the chicken. The cooking time covers browning the chicken and warming through the other ingredients. This makes it a perfect weeknight meal when you’re short on time but still want something homemade and nutritious.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating these macro-friendly burrito bowls is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breasts and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. The chicken should be opaque throughout.
- Season the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, sprinkle the taco seasoning over it. Stir well to coat all the chicken pieces evenly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the seasoning to toast slightly and release its aroma.
- Add Vegetables and Beans: To the skillet with the seasoned chicken, add the rinsed black beans, drained corn, diced red bell pepper, and chopped red onion. Stir everything together and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly softened but still retain a bit of crispness.
- Assemble the Bowls: While the chicken and vegetables are cooking, prepare your bowls. Divide the cooked brown rice (or cauliflower rice) evenly among your serving bowls, creating a base.
- Layer the Ingredients: Spoon the chicken and vegetable mixture generously over the rice in each bowl.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Top each bowl with a dollop of salsa, a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro, and a generous portion of diced avocado.
- Serve and Garnish: Squeeze a lime wedge over each bowl just before serving for a burst of fresh flavor. Add any optional toppings like plain Greek yogurt, shredded lettuce, or a dash of hot sauce if desired.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
One of the best things about burrito bowls is how adaptable they are to different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly version, you might want to serve the components separately, allowing children to pick and choose what they want in their bowl. Offer milder salsa or skip the hot sauce. You can also add a sprinkle of shredded cheese (if not adhering to Whole30/Paleo) as a familiar topping.
- Protein Alternatives: Instead of chicken, try ground beef, ground turkey, or even grilled shrimp for a seafood twist. For plant-based options, seasoned crumbled tofu or lentils make excellent substitutes.
- Grain Bases: Beyond brown rice and cauliflower rice, consider quinoa, farro, or even a bed of mixed greens for a lighter, salad-style bowl.
- Vegetable Mix-ins: Add roasted sweet potatoes, sautéed zucchini, or grilled fajita vegetables (onions and peppers) for more flavor and texture.
- Sauce Options: Experiment with different types of salsa, a creamy avocado dressing, or a simple squeeze of extra lime juice with a dash of chili powder.
- Party or Buffet Serving: Set up a “burrito bowl bar” for gatherings. Prepare all the components in separate dishes and let everyone build their own custom bowl. This is a fun and interactive way to serve a crowd. Offer a variety of toppings like pickled jalapeños, different salsas, and a selection of fresh herbs.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have small pitfalls. Being aware of these common mistakes can help ensure your burrito bowls turn out perfectly every time.
- Overcooking the Chicken: Chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Cook them only until they are no longer pink in the middle and the juices run clear. Using a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is a good practice.
- Under-seasoning: Don’t be shy with the taco seasoning! Make sure the chicken is thoroughly coated to infuse maximum flavor. Taste a small piece of chicken after seasoning to adjust if needed.
- Soggy Vegetables: When adding the bell pepper and onion, avoid overcooking them. You want them to be tender-crisp, not mushy. High heat for a shorter time helps achieve this.
- Forgetting to Rinse Beans: Canned black beans often come in a liquid that can be high in sodium and have a starchy flavor. Rinsing them thoroughly under cold water before adding them to the skillet improves their taste and texture.
- Not Enough Freshness: The fresh cilantro, avocado, and lime juice are crucial for brightening the flavors of the bowl. Don’t skip these fresh components, as they balance the richness of the cooked ingredients.
- Overcrowding the Pan: If you’re cooking a large batch of chicken, cook it in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the pan can steam the chicken instead of browning it, leading to less flavorful results.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
These macro-friendly burrito bowls are excellent for meal prepping, but proper storage is key to maintaining their deliciousness and texture.
Storing Leftovers: Once cooled, transfer individual portions of the burrito bowl into airtight containers. If you plan to reheat, it’s best to store the cooked chicken and vegetable mixture separately from the rice base if possible, especially if using cauliflower rice, which can become watery. Keep fresh toppings like avocado, salsa, and cilantro in separate small containers or add them just before serving. Stored this way, the bowls will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
- **Cook the chicken and
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
