If you love Mexican food this Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl is a recipe you'll want to try! It provides an amazing combination of flavors and gets an extra kick from the cilantro lime sauce, giving you a tasty option for lunch or dinner!

The bowl starts with my version of cilantro lime rice, then is topped with Spicy Mexican Chicken, seasoned black beans and some other deliciousness, including one of my favorite sauces. And yes, there is a lot of cilantro and lime in here, however, I promise it is not overwhelming!

Overhead shot of a chicken burrito bowl topped with avocado slices and pico de gallo

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This recipe is loosely inspired by Chipotle's always popular burrito bowls, but after several rounds of testing, I think this one is so full of flavor that it's actually better!

How to make a burrito bowl

One of the best things about this recipe is that nearly all the components can be made ahead of time, making it the ideal recipe to add to your weekly meal prep routine. There are a few steps, but most of them can be done simultaneously and are fairly simple so this easily works for a weeknight meal.

If you're making the chicken at the same time you make everything else, you'll want to start it first, as it will need a little time to cool before you shred it. You can make the black beans while the rice is cooking.

Black bean and onions cooking in a sauce pan — Saute the onions and garlic then add the beans, chicken broth and spices. Let the beans cook for about 20 minutes.

Mashed black beans in a low bowl — After the beans have simmered, lightly mash them with a potato masher so they stick together somewhat.

Brown rice with cilantro and lime in an Instant Pot — Cook the brown rice, remove it from the heat and then add the cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, and rice wine. Mix well, set aside and keep warm. You can also make the rice in an Instant Pot.

shredded chicken in a pot with spices — Make the spicy chicken by shredding the cooked chicken and then adding the spices. Mix everything well season all of the chicken. This can be done ahead of time to reduce cooking time.

Greek yogurt, cilantro and lime juice being mixed in a dark bowl — Add the greek yogurt, cilantro, green onion salt, sugar, zest, and jalapenño to a small bowl.

Greek yogurt based cilantro lime sauce in a small glass jar — Mix everything together to form a thick sauce. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Brown rice bowl topped with shredded chicken, avocado, black beans and pico de gallo — To serve, add the rice to a bowl and then layer on the rest of the main ingredients. Finish with the sauce, some pico de Gallo, sliced avocado or guacamole, and of course some tortilla chips!!

Making Perfect Brown Rice, Every Time!

When cooking brown rice you want to use long grain rice, which is common in most grocery stores. It's also one of many grains where I don't recommend following the package directions, as you'll likely end up with rather mushy rice. Instead use a ratio of 1 to 1.5, so for every cup of rice use 1 ½ cups of water.

Bring the rice and water to boil, cover and reduce heat to simmer, then cook for 25-35 minutes or until the water has just evaporated. The cooking time will vary slightly depending on how much rice you are making. Once the water has evaporated remove the pot from the heat and fluff the rice with a fork.

If you want to add some extra veggies to your meal you can start with this Chopped Kale Salad or these Mozzarella Melon Skewers.

Recommended Tools

Microplane Grater - This is an essential kitchen tool! It's perfect for any type of citrus zest and can also be used to grate hard cheese, chocolate or even fresh ginger.

Handheld Citrus Juicer - This is now my favorite juicer! The design allows you to extract the juice from the citrus easily, and it works with both lemons and limes.

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If you try this recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment with a star rating below. You can also take a photo & tag @urbanfoodiekitchen on Instagram.

Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowls

Author: Kathryn | Urban Foodie Kitchen

This Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl provides an amazing combination of flavors and an extra kick from the cilantro lime sauce for a great meal-prep lunch or dinner!

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Total Time 50

Course Entree

Cuisine Mexican

Servings bowls

Calories 715 kcal

Ingredients

For the beans:

2 teaspoons olive oil
¼ cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 15 oz can black beans, undrained
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
⅛ teaspoon ground chipotle

For the rice:

½ cup brown rice
¾ cup water
zest and juice from one small lime
1 teaspoon sweet rice wine, mirin
¼ cup cilantro leaves, chopped

For the Cilantro Lime Sauce:

6 oz plain greek yogurt
⅛ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon lime zest
1 tablespoon minced green onion
¼ cup cilantro leaves, chopped
¼ teaspoon finely minced jalapeño

For the bowl:

1 ½ cups Spicy Mexican Chicken
¼ cup crumbled queso fresco
¼ cup pico de gallo
half of an avocado, diced

Instructions

Make the beans. Add olive oil to a small saucepan and heat over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté 1 minute; add garlic. Add beans, cumin, oregano and chipotle and bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes. Keep warm.
Make the rice. While the beans are cooking, place the rice and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat. Add lime juice, lime zest, cilantro and rice wine. Mix well, set aside and keep warm.
Make the sauce. Mix the yogurt, salt, sugar, zest, green onion, cilantro and jalapenño in a small bowl. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Assemble the bowl. To assemble the bowl, divide the rice between two medium-sized bowls. Top each bowl with chicken, black beans, queso fresco, pico and avocado. Add the desired amount of Lime Cilantro Sauce. Serve immediately.

Notes

Cooking time for this recipe assumes you've made the Spicy Mexican Chicken ahead of time. If you are making it at the same time, I'd add about 10 minutes to your total time to allow the chicken to cool before you shred it.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 715kcal

Keywords : meal prep, Mexican food

Did you make this recipe?Tag @urbanfoodiekitchen on Instagram or hashtag it #urbanfoodiekitchen

This post was originally published in April 2015. It was updated in March 2025 with some new information and photos. No changes were made to the original recipe.

Comments

Christie

April 20, 2015 at 6:34 am

The rice sounds amazing. This dish will totally satisfy my Mexican food craving in a healthy way.

Nutmeg Nanny

April 20, 2015 at 7:14 am

I love Mexican food too! I love how packed full of flavor this bowl is and that cilantro lime rice sounds like a perfect side dish....yum!

Kacey @ The Cookie Writer

April 20, 2015 at 8:10 am

I love Mexican food as well! I find my downfall in making it is all the "extras." I am talking guacamole, sauces, sides, etc. Burrito bowls are so quick and easy! Love your creation!

Anna @annaDishes

April 20, 2015 at 11:02 am

I love burrito bowls!! These look fabulous. Yum!

Kate @ Framed Cooks

April 21, 2015 at 5:57 am

So pretty and healthy and scrumptious looking! Burrito bowls made at home are SO much better than the take-out kind...pinning this one!

- FoodieGirlChicago
  
  April 27, 2015 at 8:39 pm
  
  Thanks Kate! Just checked out your blog - absolutely loving it!
  
Lexi

November 25, 2015 at 5:49 pm

This looks delicious! I could probably eat some form of Mexican food every day if I had to. 🙂

Amanda {Striped Sptaula}

December 31, 2015 at 2:29 pm

This looks so bright and fresh, and a really lovely way to indulge in big flavors in a healthier way. Love the sound of that yogurt-based cilantro-lime sauce!

- FoodieGirlChicago
  
  January 10, 2016 at 8:36 am
  
  Thanks Amanda - the cilantro lime sauce is one of my favs!
  
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts

December 31, 2015 at 10:14 pm

Ooooooh Yummy!!! After the over indulgences of Christmas this will be perfect.
The flavours of that sauce just sound amazing!!!!
Pinning

Christine

January 01, 2016 at 9:24 am

This looks so delicious! I love all the flavors and spices and cilantro is one of my favorites in Mexican food. Yum!

Claudia | Gourmet Project

January 01, 2016 at 9:47 am

yes to burritos, yes to healthy bowls, yes to you for this wonderful post!

Kathi @ laughingspatula

January 01, 2016 at 10:38 am

This looks so fresh and yummy! Need to add more mexican food to my life!

Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy

January 01, 2016 at 2:56 pm

The prefect little dinner....all on one bowl. LOVE it!!

Daniela Apostol

January 01, 2016 at 4:26 pm

Lovely and healthy! Happy New Year!

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness

January 01, 2016 at 5:08 pm

Yum, this chicken burrito bowl looks amazing. I love dishes like this one.

Krissy @ Pretty Wee Things

January 02, 2016 at 4:27 am

This sounds amazing! I love salad bowls and I love burritos so I know I will love this! xx

- FoodieGirlChicago
  
  January 10, 2016 at 8:35 am
  
  Thanks Krissy!
  
Diane

January 03, 2016 at 4:55 pm

Yummy!! We love Mexican food. This looks like a great recipe to get back on track with healthy eating. Can't wait to make this dish!

Chris @ SimpleFood365

January 06, 2016 at 1:08 pm

This sounds fantastic! So many great flavors, and seems like such a light alternative without sacrificing taste.

Jessica - The Novice Chef

January 14, 2016 at 10:32 am

Gorgeous! And the cilantro lime sauce sounds divine!

Gourmet Vegetarians

September 17, 2020 at 1:48 pm

This sounds yum! Will have to try with a vegetarian chicken substitute 🙂