Chicken burrito bowl lovers will enjoy this flavourful mix of grilled chicken thighs with Mexican seasoning on top of rice, sweet corn and a trio of peppers (capsicum). This homemade burrito bowl is perfect for meal prep, offering a delicious blend of Mexican-inspired flavours in every bite and customisable with your favourite toppings like guacamole and sour cream.
Jump to:
Why you'll love this recipe
Customisable toppings. You can personalise your chicken burrito bowl with your favourite toppings like guacamole, sour cream, or add a bit of spice with fresh chilli.
Flavour-packed. Tender grilled chicken thighs with a Mexican marinade with a trio of peppers offer a delicious burst of Mexican-inspired taste in every bite.
Save on takeaway. Enjoy a homemade burrito bowl that satisfies your cravings without breaking the bank (they're like $20 now which is a bit ridiculous in my mind).
Meal prep friendly. Burrito bowl meal preps are perfect for easy, delicious lunches or dinners throughout the week, making your busy days a breeze.
Ingredients
Burrito bowl ingredients
Rice. A base for your chicken burrito bowl, cooked to your preference or following a tried-and-true method which you can find in my rice post.
Onion and Garlic. The base of every flavour packed meal and enhances the enjoyment of your chicken burrito bowl. Feel free to omit if you're sensitive.
Capsicums or Peppers. Provide a colourful and crunchy addition to your chicken burrito bowl, with the option to mix red, yellow, and green for variety.
Sweet corn kernels. Bring a touch of natural sweetness and texture to the dish. You can use fresh, canned or frozen for convenience.
Greek yoghurt. Acts as a creamy marinade for the chicken thighs, keeping them tender and juicy with a tangy flavor.
Chicken thighs. Boneless and marinated, they offer a tender and flavourful protein that’s perfect for your chicken burrito bowl. You can substitute with the protein of your choice.
Mexican seasoning. You can purchase from the store, or make your own with my recipe in the recipe card including herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, cumin powder, paprika and cayenne pepper.
Please check the recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantity. See below for substitutions and variations.
Burrito bowl toppings
You can mix-and-match burrito bowl toppings to suit your style and how you're feeling. Here are some of my favourite suggestions.
Avocado. Creamy and rich, adding a smooth texture and healthy fats to your chicken burrito bowl.
Sour cream. Adds a tangy, creamy element that balances the spice in your burrito bowl, providing a cool contrast to the warm flavours.
Cheddar cheese. Offers a sharp, melty richness that enhances the overall flavour of the chicken burrito bowl.
Lettuce. Adds a crisp, fresh crunch to your burrito bowl with rice, balancing the heavier ingredients with a light, refreshing texture.
Tomatoes. Juicy and slightly acidic, they bring a burst of freshness and colour to the chicken thigh Mexican burrito bowl.
Black beans. A hearty, protein-packed topping that adds both texture and a mild, earthy flavour to the rice and chicken bowl.
Jalapeños. Introduce a spicy kick, perfect for those who like their burrito bowl with an extra punch of heat.
Coriander (cilantro). Adds a fresh, citrusy note that brightens up the flavours in your Mexican chicken bowl meal prep
Lime wedges. Squeezed over the top, they add a zesty acidity that ties all the Mexican flavours together.
How to make a homemade burrito bowl
- Marinate the chicken
In a bowl, combine Greek yoghurt with the homemade Mexican seasoning or store-bought.
Add the chicken thighs and ensure they are evenly coated.
Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse. If preparing ahead of time, make sure the chicken is covered and if storing for longer than 24 hours, freeze the thighs then thaw before cooking. - Cook the rice
While the chicken is marinating, prepare your rice using your preferred method, or follow my way for perfectly cooked rice. This will be the base for your chicken burrito bowl.
- Prepare the vegetables
Add oil to a large pan over medium heat then add onion and garlic until fragrant (approx. 3 minutes). Add peppers and corn, cook for a further 2 minutes then push to the sides.
- Cook the chicken
Add a little more oil to the large pan if required and increase the heat to high. Add the marinated chicken thighs and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and lightly charred. Return to original side and lower the heat to medium to cook through. Once they've reached 70C, remove from the pan and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
- Assemble the burrito bowl
Slice the cooked chicken thighs into strips. To assemble your chicken burrito bowl, start with a layer of rice, add the sautéed vegetables, and top with the sliced chicken.
Customize your Mexican burrito bowl with toppings like fresh salsa, avocado, cheese, or sour cream for added flavour and texture.
Top Tip
You can prepare the chicken thighs in the marinade ahead of time and let them sit in the fridge for up to 24 hours. This will enhance the Mexican favour for your burrito bowl.
Substitutions and variations
Protein. Substitute chicken thighs with grilled chicken breast or plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian or vegan option in your chicken burrito bowl.
Rice. Swap white rice with brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb version of your chicken and rice bowl.
Dairy-Free. Replace Greek yoghurt in the marinade with coconut yoghurt or a dairy-free alternative to make the creamy chicken thighs suitable for those avoiding dairy.
Spice Level. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the homemade Mexican seasoning to make your burrito bowl as mild or spicy as you like.
Vegetables. Add or substitute vegetables like black beans, cherry tomatoes, or avocado for more variety in your burrito bowl meal prep.
Recommended equipment
- Measuring cups and measuring spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Large knife
- Chopping board
- Large pan
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Small pot or Rice cooker (optional, if this is how you choose to cook your rice. See my tips)
- Meal prep containers (optional, for storing)
- Reusable ziplock (optional, for freezing)
- Vacuum sealer (optional, for freezing)
- Souper cubes (optional, for freezing)
Meal prep and leftovers
Meal prepping a chicken burrito bowl is an excellent way to save time during the week while ensuring you have a healthy, balanced meal ready to go. You can customize the toppings and adjust the spice levels to suit your preferences.
Storing
Store the chicken burrito bowl and toppings in separate containers (i.e. what you're going to heat up in one, what you're not going to heat up in another. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken, rice, and vegetables in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through, and then add fresh toppings like avocado or salsa just before serving.
Freezing
The chicken and rice components can be frozen in individual portions for up to 6 months. I don't recommend freezing the toppings as the texture will change too much.
Thaw rice and chicken bowl ingredients overnight in the fridge before reheating, and add fresh burrito bowl toppings after reheating for the best flavour and texture.
If you want more meal prep information, check out my Meal Prep for Beginners post and my Meal Prep Basics E-Book.
FAQs
The best rice for a chicken burrito bowl is typically long-grain white rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice, as they all provide a fluffy base that absorbs the flavours of the toppings and seasoning well.
See more information on rice types and how to cook here.
Chicken burrito bowls can be a healthy option, especially when made with lean grilled chicken thighs, fresh vegetables, and whole grains like brown rice. However, "healthy" is subjective and depends on your dietary needs and goals. Anything can be part of a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation, so you can customize your burrito bowl to fit your nutritional preferences, whether you're focusing on protein, fibre, or reducing calories.
Absolutely, you can meal prep chicken burrito bowls by cooking and storing the ingredients separately to maintain their freshness and flavour throughout the week.
Other Mexican-inspired dishes
I hope you enjoy this as much as I do - Love & Pasta, Lauren x
I'd love to hear from you! Sign up for my email list and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube or Pinterest. If you loved my recipe, please consider leaving a star rating and comment down below.
Recipe
Chicken Thigh Burrito Bowl with Rice
Ingredients
Burrito Bowl
- 180 g (¾ cup) rice cooked your own way or my way
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic crushed or grated (See Note 1)
- 2 capsicums sliced (optional combination with all colours)
- 160 g (1 cup) sweet corn kernels (fresh, frozen or canned)
- 10 ml (2 tsp) extra virgin olive oil
Creamy chicken thighs (homemade seasoning below)
- 120 g (½ cup) Greek yoghurt
- 600 g (approx 6) chicken thighs without bones
Homemade Mexican seasoning (optional, or use store-bought)
- 5 g (1 tsp) garlic powder
- 5 g (1 tsp) onion powder
- 5 g (2 tsp) dried oregano
- 10 g (2 tsp) cumin powder
- 10 g (2 tsp) paprika
- 2 g (½ tsp) cayenne pepper adjust to spice preference
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
Marinate the chicken
- In a bowl, combine Greek yoghurt with the homemade Mexican seasoning (or use a store-bought).
- Add chicken thighs and ensure even coating. Marinate for 20 minutes or up to 24 hours.
Cook the rice
- While chicken is marinating, prepare rice how you like it, or follow my tried-and-true methods.
Cook burrito bowl
- Add oil to a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cook for approx. 3 minutes. Add peppers and corn, cook for a further 2 minutes. Push vegetables to the sides of the pan.
- If required, add more oil and increase heat to high. Add marinated chicken thighs and cook for 3-4 minutes each side or until lightly charred and golden. Return to original side, lower heat to medium, cook until chicken reaches 70C. Remove from pan and rest for 10 minutes.
Assemble
- Slice chicken thighs into strips.
- Add rice, sauteed vegetables and chicken to a bowl. Add favourite toppings. See post for tips & tricks for meal prepping and leftovers.
Leave a Reply