Create your own tasty chicken burrito bowls
Ditch the takeout and opt for a simple DIY approach by crafting your own delectable burrito bowls! Indulge in a mouthwatering homemade rendition featuring succulent seasoned chicken, zesty cilantro-lime rice, and an array of top-tier toppings. This recipe is an abundant source of flavorful excellence that you’ll want to replicate time and again.
A divine homemade chicken burrito bowl masterpiece
This essential recipe boasts fluffy cilantro-lime rice, tender chicken, and a medley of premier toppings, constituting a nutritious and delightful dish that will garner unanimous approval from your entire family.
Moreover, its adaptability allows for easy personalization, making it an ideal candidate for advance preparation in meal planning. This chicken burrito bowl recipe proves to be the ultimate choice for catering to a group, preparing a packed lunch, or concocting a swift weeknight supper.
In fact, these burrito bowls are so tantalizing that you might forsake restaurant versions entirely! Here, we elucidate the process of cooking, assembling, and preserving them to ensure effortless enjoyment whenever your cravings strike.
What is included in a burrito bowl?
Ingredients for the Chicken
Lime juice. Opt for freshly squeezed lime juice to achieve the most exquisite flavor.
Olive oil. Employed to concoct a marinade that seals in moisture and helps the chicken cling to the array of seasonings.
Spices. A combination of chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper imparts an added layer of warmth and a subtle kick of spiciness.
Garlic. Utilize whole, fresh cloves to infuse the chicken with maximum flavor.
Chicken. It’s ideal to select boneless, skinless chicken thighs, meticulously trimmed of excess fat. However, chicken breasts can be used as an alternative.
Ingredients for the bowl
Cilantro-lime rice. Elevate your burrito bowl with restaurant-quality rice, infused with an extra burst of flavor.
Fresh corn. While white corn is suitable, opting for yellow corn enhances the sweetness. Make sure to shuck and cut it from the cob.
Black beans. Utilize canned black beans and retain the liquid for added flavor.
Cheese. Shredded Cheddar cheese is a favorite, although Mexican cheese is equally suitable.
Tomatoes. Opt for Roma tomatoes for the best results.
Avocados. Select ripe avocados with a balanced texture—neither too mushy nor overly firm—ensuring a harmonious taste and creamy consistency.
Red onion. Finely chop the red onion to introduce a tangy flavor and a satisfying crunch in each bite.
Sour cream. Add as much or as little sour cream as you desire.
Mexican hot sauce. Top recommendations include Tapatio or Valentino hot sauce for an authentic touch.
Crafting your own chicken burrito bowl
Marinating the chicken. Combine the marinade ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl and whisk thoroughly. Introduce the chicken thighs and toss them in the mixture until fully coated. Cover the bowl and allow the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour.
Cooking the chicken. Heat a small amount of oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer, ensuring some space between each piece. Allow them to sear on one side, then flip them over, ensuring complete cooking. Rest the cooked chicken before cutting it into bite-sized segments.
Warming the beans. While the chicken is cooking, gently heat the beans in a medium-sized saucepan over a medium-low flame. Season with extra salt if required.
Cooking the corn. After cleaning the skillet, add a touch more oil. Sauté the corn until it attains a golden hue, lightly seasoning with salt.
Bowl assembly. Portion a delicate layer of rice into 6 bowls. Proceed by topping the rice with all the remaining components, and relish the culmination of flavors!
Incorporate these steps to create your very own savory chicken burrito bowl.
Enhance your culinary creation with additional toppings
Feel empowered to curate a personalized rendition of the chicken burrito bowl recipe by combining and juxtaposing various ingredients. Consider these supplementary topping options:
Crushed tortilla chips / Cilantro / Salsa / Romaine lettuce / Green onion / Guacamole / Jalapeños / Sautéed vegetables (like zucchini, squash, bell peppers, or poblano peppers).
Expand your culinary repertoire with these potential adaptations
Experiment with alternative proteins such as beef, shrimp, ground turkey, or ground chicken. Simply adjust the cooking duration accordingly.
Substituting the rice? Choose from Mexican rice, cauliflower rice, fiesta rice, or classic white rice for a fresh twist.
Transform the dish into a vibrant salad by replacing the rice with shredded lettuce.
Guidelines for achieving the ultimate burrito bowl
Infuse Flavor Through Marination. Granting ample time for the chicken to marinate is pivotal in encapsulating rich flavors. Aim for a minimum of 1 hour of marination. For optimum taste, consider extending marination to at least 6 hours.
Allow Chicken Resting Time. Allotting a rest period of at least 5 minutes post-cooking enables the chicken to evenly redistribute its succulent juices, averting the risk of toughness or dryness.
Employ a Meat Thermometer. I strongly advocate for the use of a meat thermometer. This tool guarantees the thickest segment of the chicken thighs attains an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 75 degrees Celsius —ensuring safe consumption. Opting for this temperature also safeguards against over-drying the chicken thighs.
Optimal Bean Serving Technique. Enhance your burrito bowl experience by using a slotted spoon to serve the beans. This prevents any surplus liquid from infiltrating the dish, upholding its delightful texture and thwarting sogginess.
Serving ideas to elevate your chicken burrito bowl experience
While this chicken burrito bowl recipe is exceptional on its own, if you desire a heartier serving, consider these delightful options:
Transform it into nachos by layering it over tortilla chips.
Create a sumptuous burrito or quesadilla by stuffing the components within a tortilla.
Enhance the experience by pairing it with a side of chips and guacamole or queso.
The best way to store and reheat your burrito bowls
Assemble the bowls in advance and store them in the refrigerator. They will maintain their freshness for 2 to 4 days. It’s advisable to add the avocado and sour cream just before serving to preserve their quality.
For a more extended storage option, you can freeze the chicken, rice, corn, and beans for a period of 3 to 6 months.
To reheat, allow the ingredients to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, assemble your bowls and gently warm them in the microwave.
Some common asked questions
Why do chicken burrito bowls offer such satiety?
These bowls are designed to be highly filling due to their rich content of protein, fiber, vitamins, and nutrients, effectively providing a sustained sense of fullness and satisfaction for an extended period.
How nutritious are burrito bowls?
The nutritional composition of your bowls hinges on the chosen toppings. As a general rule, they present a healthy choice, boasting ample protein, beneficial fats, vitamins, and essential nutrients, culminating in a balanced and nourishing meal.
Which there is rice in a burrito bowl recipe?
While some cook prefer cilantro-lime rice, you have the flexibility to select from plain white rice, brown rice, Mexican rice, or even cauliflower rice to suit your taste and dietary preferences.
Is the chicken burrito bowl best served hot or cold?
While it is possible to savor burrito bowls cold, the utmost enjoyment is derived from consuming them while warm, allowing the flavors to meld and the textures to resonate delightfully.
