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burrito bowl
TahiraJaved

Loaded Chicken Burrito Bowl

This flavorful burrito bowl combines juicy seasoned chicken, fluffy cilantro lime rice, hearty beans, and colorful fresh veggies. Finished with creamy toppings, it's a satisfying, customizable meal that's perfect for busy weeknights!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Rest Time 5 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Tex Mex
Calories: 780

Ingredients
  

For the Chipotle Lime Chicken
  • 1 1/4 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo chopped, plus 1 tbsp adobo sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic grated
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano
  • 1 tsp fine salt
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil for cooking
For the Cilantro Lime Rice
  • 3/4 cup long grain white rice
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp fine salt
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
For the Fajita Veggies
  • 1 large red bell pepper sliced
  • 1 medium yellow onion sliced
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
For the Beans and Charred Corn Salsa
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 cups corn kernels
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
  • 1 small jalapeño seeded and minced
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
For the Quick Guacamole
  • 2 ripe Hass avocados
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 tbsp finely diced red onion
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
For Topping
  • 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
  • 1/2 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • 1/4 cup full fat sour cream
  • Lime wedges and hot sauce for serving

Equipment

  • 12 inch heavy skillet sears the chicken and chars the vegetables with plenty of room
  • Medium saucepan with tight lid steams the rice evenly with no peeking
  • Instant read thermometer confirms the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part
  • Fine mesh sieve rinses the rice and beans in seconds
  • Sharp chef's knife slices the chicken and dices the produce cleanly
  • Four meal prep containers with dividers keep the rice, beans, and toppings separate

Method
 

  1. Whisk the olive oil, lime juice, chipotles, adobo sauce, garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano, and salt in a large bowl, then toss in the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes while you start the rice.
  2. Simmer the rinsed rice with the water, salt, and oil in a covered saucepan over low heat for 15 minutes, until the water is absorbed. Rest off the heat for 5 minutes, then fluff and stir in the lime juice and cilantro.
  3. Heat a dry 12 inch skillet over high heat for 2 minutes, then cook the corn for 4 minutes, stirring once, until golden with a few dark spots. Stir it with the red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt, and set the salsa aside.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in the same skillet over medium high heat, then cook the chicken 5 to 6 minutes per side, until deeply browned and 175°F in the center. Rest it on a board for 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.
  5. Wipe the skillet, add 1 tablespoon of oil, and cook the pepper and onion over medium high heat for 6 to 8 minutes, until tender with charred edges. Season with the cumin and salt.
  6. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a bowl, then warm the beans with 1/4 teaspoon cumin and a splash of water in the same skillet for 3 minutes, until steaming. Mash the avocados with the lime juice, red onion, cilantro, and salt until chunky.
  7. Divide the rice among 4 bowls, then arrange the chicken, beans, veggies, and corn salsa in neat sections. Add the lettuce, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream, and serve right away with lime wedges and hot sauce.
  8. Marinate the chicken for at least 20 minutes and pack the wet toppings separately; a short marinade leaves the meat bland, and mixing everything early makes a soggy bowl.

Notes

  • Rinse the rice and beans before cooking.
  • Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing.
  • Make the guacamole fresh, or cover it directly with plastic wrap.
Storage: Refrigerate the components separately up to 4 days, or freeze the chicken and rice up to 3 months.
Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for 20 minutes while the rice cooks. This overlaps with the preparation and cooking time.
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