These macro-friendly spring chicken burrito bowls are a fantastic solution for busy weeknights or a healthy meal prep strategy.

They are designed to be both satisfying and simple, offering a delicious way to enjoy a balanced meal without a lot of fuss. Whether you’re packing lunches for the week or need a quick dinner that comes together easily, these cold chicken bowls deliver on flavor and convenience. Each serving provides about 35 grams of protein.

You’ll find these bowls incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize them to your family’s preferences while keeping healthy eating a priority. The combination of tender shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and flavorful toppings makes for a vibrant and appealing dish that everyone will enjoy. Get ready to add a new favorite to your meal rotation!

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

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true winner for anyone looking for a flavorful, healthy, and incredibly convenient meal. It’s perfect for busy individuals and families who want to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen. You’ll love that these burrito bowls are designed to be served cold, making them ideal for grab-and-go lunches, picnics, or even a light dinner on a warm evening. The ease of preparation means you can whip up a batch on Sunday for delicious meals throughout the week, saving you time and stress during hectic weekdays. It’s also a fantastic way to utilize leftover cooked chicken, transforming it into something fresh and exciting.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for these chicken burrito bowls is straightforward, focusing on fresh, accessible items that pack a punch of flavor and nutrition. Most of these components are likely already staples in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the ability to customize it with what you have on hand.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
1 cup cooked rice (brown or white)
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned, drained)
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper (any color)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup salsa (your favorite mild or medium)
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional toppings: avocado slices, plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, shredded lettuce, extra salsa, hot sauce

For the cooked shredded chicken, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is an absolute time-saver and provides excellent flavor. If you prefer, you can easily cook and shred chicken breasts or thighs yourself. Any type of cooked rice will work well here, whether you prefer the nutty flavor of brown rice or the classic texture of white rice. When it comes to corn, frozen corn that has been thawed is just as good as fresh, and canned corn works perfectly in a pinch—just be sure to drain it thoroughly. Feel free to experiment with different colors of bell peppers to add visual appeal and a slightly varied flavor profile.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

Preparing these macro-friendly spring chicken burrito bowls is incredibly efficient, making them a perfect choice for those busy days when you need a quick and satisfying meal.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Assembly Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

This recipe is designed for speed, especially if you’re using pre-cooked chicken and rice. The bulk of the time is spent on chopping a few vegetables and mixing everything together. It’s truly a “dump and stir” kind of meal prep, allowing you to get from ingredients to delicious bowls in under half an hour.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating these flavorful chicken burrito bowls is a breeze with these simple steps. The key is to ensure your chicken and rice are already cooked, which significantly speeds up the process.

Prepare the Base Ingredients: If you don’t already have them, cook your rice according to package directions and shred your cooked chicken. Make sure both are cooled completely, especially if you plan to serve the bowls cold or meal prep them.
Chop the Fresh Vegetables: Dice the red onion and bell pepper into small, even pieces. Finely chop the fresh cilantro. Consistent sizing helps ensure every bite has a good mix of flavors and textures.
Combine the Main Bowl Components: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled shredded chicken, cooked rice, rinsed and drained black beans, corn, chopped red onion, and chopped bell pepper.
Create the Flavorful Dressing: In a small separate bowl, whisk together the salsa, lime juice, olive oil, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed; you might want a little more lime for brightness or a pinch more salt.
Dress and Mix Thoroughly: Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken and vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Add the fresh cilantro. Use a large spoon or spatula to gently fold everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Assemble Your Burrito Bowls: Divide the mixture evenly among your serving bowls or meal prep containers. If you’re serving immediately, add your desired optional toppings like avocado slices, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or extra salsa.
Chill Before Serving (Optional but Recommended): While you can eat these right away, the flavors meld beautifully if the bowls are allowed to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This also makes them perfectly refreshing for a cold meal.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

These macro-friendly chicken burrito bowls are incredibly adaptable, making them a fantastic canvas for creativity and catering to different tastes.

For a kid-friendly approach, you might want to serve some components separately. Offer a deconstructed bowl with plain rice, a small portion of shredded chicken, a side of corn, and a tiny dollop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream. Let them add their own mild salsa or skip it entirely. You can also use less red onion or finely mince it so it blends in more.

To swap ingredients based on what you have, feel free to substitute the black beans with pinto beans or even chickpeas for a different texture. If you’re not a fan of corn, try adding diced cucumber for extra crunch. For a spicier kick, use a hot salsa or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing. You can also swap the chicken for cooked ground turkey or even plant-based protein like seasoned tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian option.

When serving for a party or buffet, set up a “burrito bowl bar.” Prepare the main chicken and rice mixture in a large serving bowl. Then, arrange various toppings in smaller bowls around it. Think shredded lettuce, extra salsa options (mild, medium, hot), guacamole or avocado slices, plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, pickled jalapeños, crumbled cotija cheese, and a squeeze bottle of hot sauce. This allows guests to customize their bowls exactly how they like them.

Optional toppings truly elevate these bowls. Creamy avocado slices add healthy fats and a luxurious texture. A dollop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream can cool down any spice and add tanginess. A sprinkle of shredded cheese, a handful of crunchy tortilla strips, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can transform the bowl into a new experience every time. Don’t forget a fresh squeeze of lime juice right before serving for an extra burst of brightness.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have a few common pitfalls that can be easily avoided with a little awareness. Keeping these tips in mind will ensure your macro-friendly spring chicken burrito bowls turn out perfectly every time.

One common mistake is adding warm ingredients to the bowl. If your chicken or rice is still warm, it can cause the vegetables to wilt and the dressing to become watery, leading to a less appealing texture and flavor, especially if you plan to eat them cold. Always ensure your cooked chicken and rice are completely cooled before combining them with the other ingredients. You can spread them out on a plate or baking sheet to cool faster.

Another slip-up is over-dressing the bowls. While the dressing is delicious, too much can make the bowls soggy, particularly if they sit for a while. Start with the recommended amount and add more only if needed, tasting as you go. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away.

Not rinsing the canned beans thoroughly can introduce excess sodium and a starchy flavor to your bowls. Always rinse black beans under cold running water until the water runs clear before adding them to the mixture. This simple step makes a big difference in the overall taste and freshness.

Finally, skimping on fresh herbs and lime juice can leave your bowls feeling a bit flat. Fresh cilantro and a good squeeze of fresh lime juice are crucial for that bright, authentic burrito bowl flavor. Don’t substitute dried cilantro for fresh, as the flavor profile is entirely different. If you don’t have fresh lime, a good quality bottled lime juice can work, but fresh is always best.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead

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.