Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowl

burrito bowl with avocados corn rice chiken beans and cabbage on blue table
Photo: Bryan Gardner
Prep Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4

Versatility is the name of the game in this deconstructed Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowl: the simple cilantro-lime marinade works just as well for fish and shrimp as it does for chicken, and the rice and beans can be switched out for your favorite grains and legumes.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving

  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic

  • ¼ cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves, plus whole leaves for serving

  • cup safflower or other neutral-flavored oil

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 2 cups shredded red cabbage

  • 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (1 ½ pounds)

  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed

  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed

  • 3 cups cooked brown or white rice

  • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced

  • Salsa or hot sauce, for serving

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and oil; season with salt and pepper. In a medium bowl, toss cabbage with half of marinade; season with salt and pepper. Let stand while you prepare remaining ingredients.

  2. Place chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound to an even 1/2 inch thick. Remove plastic; transfer chicken to a baking dish and toss with remaining marinade. Let stand 10 minutes.

  3. Heat a large, heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high. Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Add chicken to skillet and cook, flipping once, until golden brown and just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes; transfer to a cutting board. Add beans and 2 tablespoons water to skillet; cook, stirring, until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add rice and 2 tablespoons water to same pan; cook, stirring, until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to another bowl. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces.

  4. To serve, divide rice, beans, corn, cabbage slaw, and chicken among four bowls. Serve with avocado, salsa, lime wedges, and more cilantro.

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