Spicy Chicken Burrito Bowl (Printable)

Vibrant Tex-Mex bowl with grilled spiced chicken, rice, black beans, corn, and fresh salsa. 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, frozen, or canned, drained)

→ 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, and lime juice. Add chicken breasts and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or longer for enhanced flavor.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt to a boil. 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 grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Grill marinated chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through with charring. Allow to 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, warm black beans, corn, and salsa. Add avocado slices and cheese if desired. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, and you can prep components ahead for even quicker assembly.
  • The smoky, spicy marinade transforms plain chicken into something vibrant and crave-worthy.
  • You control the heat, the toppings, and the portions, making it endlessly customizable to your taste.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully, so lunch the next day feels like a treat, not a chore.
02 -
  • Dont skip rinsing the rice, or youll end up with a sticky, clumpy base that fights with the toppings instead of supporting them.
  • Let the chicken rest after grilling, because cutting it too soon sends all the flavorful juices running onto your cutting board instead of staying inside the meat.
  • If your grill pan isnt hot enough, the chicken will steam instead of sear, and youll miss out on that smoky char that makes this bowl special.
03 -
  • Marinate the chicken the night before so the flavors penetrate deeply and you save time on busy weeknights.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check for 165 degrees Fahrenheit, because overcooked chicken turns dry and disappointing no matter how good the marinade is.
  • Char the corn kernels in a hot dry skillet for a minute or two before adding them to the bowl for a sweet, smoky depth that takes this from good to unforgettable.
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