These delicious macro-friendly chicken burrito bowls are perfect for easy meal prep, offering a convenient and flavorful option for individual servings.
Enjoy a healthy and satisfying dinner with this simple oven bake meal prep recipe that comes together quickly. Each serving provides about 35 grams of protein. Discover the details on how to make this satisfying and customizable meal a staple in your weekly rotation.
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: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 4-5 servings 1x
Description
These macro-friendly chicken burrito bowls are perfect for easy meal prep, offering a convenient and flavorful option for individual servings. Enjoy a healthy and satisfying dinner with this simple oven bake meal prep recipe that comes together quickly. Each serving provides about 35 grams of protein. This recipe is a game-changer for anyone looking to simplify their meal prep without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. It’s designed for busy individuals and families who need a reliable, healthy option that can be prepared in advance. The beauty of these chicken burrito bowls lies in their individual serving format, making portion control effortless and ensuring each meal is fresh and ready to go. You can easily pack them for work lunches, school meals, or have a ready-made dinner waiting after a long day. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners when time is short, or for those weekend meal prep sessions to set yourself up for success. The oven-bake method means minimal hands-on time, allowing you to multitask while dinner cooks.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven and prepare the chicken: Preheat your oven to 400 F (200 C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken breasts with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
2. Bake the seasoned chicken: Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F (74 C) and the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
3. Shred or dice the chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This helps keep it juicy. Then, either shred the chicken using two forks or dice it into bite-sized pieces.
4. Assemble the individual bowls: For each meal prep container, add a portion of cooked brown rice to one side. On the other side, add a generous serving of the shredded or diced chicken.
5. Add the beans and corn: Next to the chicken, add a portion of rinsed and drained black beans and drained corn. These colorful additions provide fiber and additional nutrients.
6. Top with salsa and cheese: Spoon your desired amount of salsa over the chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
7. Prepare for storage or serving: Allow the bowls to cool completely if you are meal prepping them for later. If serving immediately, you can warm them briefly in the microwave or oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Add optional fresh toppings: Just before serving, or after reheating for meal prep, add fresh toppings like diced avocado, chopped cilantro, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or a squeeze of lime juice for an extra burst of flavor and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Cuisine: mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken, burrito bowl, meal prep, healthy, easy, oven bake, high protein, weeknight dinner, macro friendly, mexican inspired
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a game-changer for anyone looking to simplify their meal prep without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. It’s designed for busy individuals and families who need a reliable, healthy option that can be prepared in advance. The beauty of these chicken burrito bowls lies in their individual serving format, making portion control effortless and ensuring each meal is fresh and ready to go. You can easily pack them for work lunches, school meals, or have a ready-made dinner waiting after a long day. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners when time is short, or for those weekend meal prep sessions to set yourself up for success. The oven-bake method means minimal hands-on time, allowing you to multitask while dinner cooks.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for these macro-friendly chicken burrito bowls is straightforward. Most items are pantry staples, and the fresh components are readily available at any grocery store. This recipe focuses on lean protein, wholesome grains, and plenty of vegetables to keep you feeling full and energized.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 cup cooked brown rice per serving (about 4-5 cups total for 4-5 servings)
- 1/2 cup salsa per serving
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese per serving
- Optional toppings: diced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, lime wedges
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer a richer flavor, though this may slightly alter the macro count. If you don’t have brown rice on hand, white rice or quinoa can be used as alternatives; just be sure they are cooked beforehand. Feel free to use a different type of canned bean, such as pinto beans, if black beans aren’t your favorite. For the cheese, a Mexican blend or Monterey Jack would also work well. If you’re looking to reduce sodium, opt for low-sodium canned beans and corn.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20-25 minutes
- Total time: 35-40 minutes
The hands-on preparation is minimal, mostly involving seasoning the chicken and combining the other ingredients. The majority of the time is spent with the chicken baking in the oven, allowing you to attend to other tasks or simply relax while your meal comes together.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating these macro-friendly chicken burrito bowls is a breeze with these clear instructions.
- Preheat the oven and prepare the chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken breasts with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Bake the seasoned chicken: Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
- Shred or dice the chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This helps keep it juicy. Then, either shred the chicken using two forks or dice it into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the individual bowls: For each meal prep container, add a portion of cooked brown rice to one side. On the other side, add a generous serving of the shredded or diced chicken.
- Add the beans and corn: Next to the chicken, add a portion of rinsed and drained black beans and drained corn. These colorful additions provide fiber and additional nutrients.
- Top with salsa and cheese: Spoon your desired amount of salsa over the chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Prepare for storage or serving: Allow the bowls to cool completely if you are meal prepping them for later. If serving immediately, you can warm them briefly in the microwave or oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Add optional fresh toppings: Just before serving, or after reheating for meal prep, add fresh toppings like diced avocado, chopped cilantro, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or a squeeze of lime juice for an extra burst of flavor and freshness.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
These chicken burrito bowls are incredibly versatile, making them easy to adapt to different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can serve the components separately on a plate, allowing children to build their own “deconstructed” burrito bowl. Offer small bowls of shredded chicken, rice, corn, and a tiny sprinkle of cheese, along with a mild salsa or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
If you’re looking to add more vegetables, consider roasting bell peppers and onions alongside the chicken, or stirring in some sautéed zucchini. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning, or top your bowl with sliced jalapeños. You can also experiment with different types of salsa, from a smoky chipotle to a vibrant pico de gallo.
These bowls are fantastic for parties or buffets. Instead of individual containers, set up a “burrito bowl bar” with large platters of shredded chicken, rice, beans, corn, and an array of toppings like guacamole, various salsas, pickled onions, and different cheeses. Guests can then customize their own bowls. For a lighter option, serve the chicken and toppings over a bed of mixed greens instead of rice.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Here’s how to ensure your chicken burrito bowls turn out perfectly every time:
- Overcooking the chicken: Dry, rubbery chicken is a common complaint. Always use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once it reaches this, remove it from the oven immediately. Resting the chicken for a few minutes after cooking also helps retain its juices.
- Not rinsing the beans: Skipping the rinse step for canned black beans can lead to a metallic taste and excess sodium. Always rinse them thoroughly under cold water until the liquid runs clear.
- Mushy rice: If you’re cooking your own rice, ensure you use the correct water-to-rice ratio and don’t lift the lid too often, which can release steam and prevent proper cooking. If using pre-cooked rice, make sure it’s not overcooked to begin with.
- Assembling bowls while hot: For meal prep, it’s crucial to let all components cool completely before assembling and sealing the containers. Putting hot food into sealed containers can create condensation, leading to soggy ingredients and a shorter shelf life.
- Lack of seasoning: Don’t be shy with the spices on the chicken. The blend of chili powder, cumin, and paprika is what gives these bowls their signature flavor. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
These macro-friendly chicken burrito bowls are specifically designed for make-ahead meal prep, and they store beautifully.
- Storage: Once assembled, allow the bowls to cool completely before placing lids on your airtight meal prep containers. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This makes them perfect for weekday lunches or dinners.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply remove the lid (or vent it if using a microwave-safe lid) and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. If you prefer, you can also transfer the contents to an oven-safe dish and reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warm. If you’ve added fresh toppings like avocado or cilantro, it’s best to add those *after* reheating to maintain their freshness and texture.
- Freezing: While you can technically freeze components like the cooked chicken and rice separately, assembling the full bowls and then freezing them isn’t recommended due to the texture changes that can occur with the salsa, cheese, and especially the corn and beans upon thawing
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.
