Healthy chicken burrito bowls

If you love burrito bowls but not all the unhealthy ingredients, make your own version at home. They can be healthy with a few simple swaps.

Mexican food is one of the easiest cuisines to keep healthy. We’ve swapped out white rice for brown and made each element of these burrito bowls flavorful with herbs and spices, not fat. When you make these at home you get to control the garnishes too. A dollop of sour cream goes a long way, no need for huge scoops. Try plain Greek yogurt for an even healthier alternative.

Healthy chicken burrito bowls recipe

Serves 2

Ingredients:

For the rice

• 1-1/2 cups water
• 3/4 cup brown rice
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

For the beans

• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
•  1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• Dash cayenne pepper

For the chicken

• 1 pound chicken breasts, chopped into cubes
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

For the salsa

• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, some of the juices poured out
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1 clove garlic
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1/2 jalapeño (optional if you like spice)
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, bring the water and rice to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat to low and let simmer until the water is fully absorbed by the rice. Add the butter, lime juice, cilantro and salt and pepper and mix until the butter is melted. Cover and set aside.
2. In another small saucepan, combine all the ingredients for the beans and heat on medium-low heat while you cook the chicken.
3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet, season the chicken with the spices. Once hot, add the chicken to the skillet and cook on both sides until it is white and cooked through.
4. Lastly, add all the ingredients for the salsa to a food processor and pulse until you get the consistency you want for your salsa.
5. Assemble the burrito bowl by adding the rice to the bottom, the beans on top of that, the chicken and then the salsa. Garnish with avocado, sour cream and cilantro.

More burrito recipes

Cilantro lime rice burrito bowls
Thai green curry chicken burrito
Tofu and black bean breakfast burritos