Your Cart is Empty
This chicken burrito salad bowl is a healthy version of the much-loved fajita entrée at your favorite Mexican restaurant. With fresh vegetables, beans, rice, and cajun-seasoned chicken, this meal is full of fiber, protein, nutrients, and seasonings. Not only does it taste delicious, but it’s also suitable for gluten-free diets. This salad bowl is a lighter version of a chicken burrito and is a great dish to make if you want to eat healthy while still enjoying traditional Mexican spicy and citrus flavors. This meal can also be customized by adding your favorite burrito toppings!
First, prepare your ingredients.
Red bell peppers are low in calories, about 30 calories per pepper, and are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to promote a healthy lifestyle. They are suitable for all types of diets, and being packed with 7 grams of carbs, they also help to keep you feeling full for long periods of time.
Black beans are a great source of protein, fiber, and vitamin B6. With their low amounts of cholesterol, they also decrease the risk of heart disease. Canned black beans are prepared by draining the can, then being warmed and seasoned, an easy and quick healthy addition to your meals.
Sweet corn is packed with vitamin C and is a great vegetable to add to dishes for a bit of juicy crunch and sweetness. This either comes in a can or frozen. Frozen corn needs to be thawed for 5-10 minutes before cooking and canned corn needs to be drained. Similar to cooking black beans, corn only needs to be warmed and seasoned before eating.
Chicken is one of the main ingredients in this dish. With its low fat content, high protein (about 30 grams per breast), and low calories (about 165 calories per breast), this meat selection is perfect for those health-conscious eaters.
In this recipe, chicken is steamed alongside the other ingredients to retain its juices and tenderness, but it can be prepared in so many other ways. Baking chicken is an easy, “hands-free” way to cook your meat; simply add oil and spices or be adventurous with adding different marinades. Air-frying and pan-searing chicken with oil and herbs will give it more crisp and a brown outer layer. Its ability to be prepared in different ways makes chicken a versatile source of protein that can be made in stir-fries, casseroles, bowl toppings, or as a main dish with your favorite vegetables and starches.
Pearl rice is the base of this bowl and is easily cooked by simmering on low-heat in water. Pearl rice is another name for short-grain white rice and, when cooked, has a stickier consistency, making this a good option for bowls, sushi, or even rice pudding. Pearl rice helps to control cholesterol levels, therefore reducing blood pressure.
You can replace pearl rice with other grains to achieve the same final product in this recipe. Alternative options include brown rice, quinoa, farro, Right Rice, and barley. These alternatives have naturally high amounts of fiber, magnesium, and other nutrients. Some grains, such as quinoa and Right Rice, also contains lots of protein. These substitutes can be cooked the same way as pearl rice - simmering in water on low-heat - simply follow package instructions for proportions and serving sizes.
Rich in potassium, fiber, folate, and monounsaturated fats, avocados have become an increasingly popular food choice over the last decade. Their rich flavor and versatility make this ingredient an easy pairing for this bowl recipe.
Due to its large seed, avocados are scientifically classified as a fruit. Like other fruits, they are best enjoyed and most flavorful when ripe. Avocados are ready to use when their outside skin is a dark gray-brown color and are soft (but not too soft!) to the touch. Should you have a hard avocado on hand, you can speed up its ripening process by placing it in a sealed paper bag with a banana, kiwi, or apple and allow their naturally-produced ethylene gas to help make your avocado soft.
Once your ingredients are finished cooking, it is time to assemble and garnish your bowl. This recipe calls for cilantro (also known as coriander) as a garnish. A popular herb used in Mexican-inspired cooking, cilantro has a citrusy, herbaceous taste that pairs well with spices. Also known as “Chinese parsley”, cilantro closely resembles the Italian parsley we know and often use. Should the strong taste and smell of cilantro not be of interest to you, parsley could be substituted for a more subtle, fresh flavor.
Here are a few recommended sauces to use if you are looking to “dress up” your chicken burrito bowl:
This recipe can be made into a burrito in no time. Choose your favorite burrito-size flour tortilla (white, whole wheat, spinach, roasted tomato, etc.) and scoop on the rice, beans, chicken, veggies, and toppings.
Once the filling is placed in the middle of the tortilla, fold the left and right sides inwards. Then, start with the edge closest to you and roll the tortilla until you read the far end.
This chicken burrito salad bowl is great for an individual meal or served as a build-your-own style for a group. With chicken, fresh vegetables, and rice, it’s a healthy recipe that will leave you feeling full. You can personalize your meal with your favorite toppings or wrap in a flour tortilla for a handheld burrito! Be sure to also check out Multo’s other recipe ideasfor inspiration and step-by-step directions for delicious meals!
Let's get cooking! Don’t forget to share your creations by tagging us @cookingpalofficial and hash tag #MyCookingPal.
Discover more delicious content by following us on social media.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
