Spicy Chicken Burrito Bowl (Printable)

Vibrant Tex-Mex bowl featuring spicy grilled chicken, rice, black beans, corn, and fresh salsa. A satisfying meal ready in 45 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tsp chili powder
04 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
10 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
11 - Juice of 1 lime

→ Rice

12 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
13 - 2 cups water
14 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Beans & Corn

15 - 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
16 - 1 cup sweet corn kernels, fresh or frozen

→ Salsa & Toppings

17 - 1 cup fresh tomato salsa
18 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
19 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, optional
20 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
21 - Lime wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, combine olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and lime juice. Add chicken breasts and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water until clear. Bring 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt to a boil in a saucepan, add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until tender. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
03 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Grill marinated chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through with charred marks. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - Heat black beans and corn in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
05 - Divide cooked rice among 4 bowls. Top each with sliced chicken, black beans, corn, and salsa. Add avocado slices and cheese if desired. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under 30 minutes, so you can have dinner ready before the hangry complaints start.
  • Each bite delivers layers of smoky, spicy, creamy, and tangy flavors that keep your fork moving.
  • You can prep the components ahead and let everyone build their own bowl, which makes weeknight hosting feel effortless.
  • It's naturally gluten free and easy to tweak for different dietary needs without losing any of the satisfaction.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time for the chicken after grilling, or you'll lose all those precious juices when you slice into it.
  • Rinsing the rice until the water runs clear is the secret to fluffy, separate grains instead of a sticky, gluey mess.
  • If your cayenne is fresh, start with just a pinch because it can sneak up on you and turn the dish too fiery.
  • Warm your beans and corn gently so they stay tender and creamy instead of drying out or splitting.
03 -
  • Let your grill pan get smoking hot before adding the chicken so you get those deep, caramelized char marks that add so much flavor.
  • Slice the chicken against the grain to keep it tender and easy to chew, rather than tough and stringy.
  • Taste your salsa before serving and adjust with a pinch of salt or a squeeze of lime if it needs a lift.
  • If you're serving a crowd, set up a toppings bar and let everyone build their own bowl so you're not stuck in the kitchen plating.
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