Description
A flavorful and easy one-pan chicken burrito bowl perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender chicken is cooked with spices, then combined with rice, black beans, corn, and tomatoes in one skillet for a satisfying Mexican-inspired meal topped with melted cheese, fresh lime juice, and cilantro.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Spices
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Grains and Beans
- 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Liquids
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 2 ¼ cups chicken broth
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Juice of 1 lime
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare and Season Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and season them with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes until browned on the outside, noting that it does not need to be fully cooked through at this stage.
- Add Remaining Ingredients and Simmer: Stir in the uncooked long grain white rice, drained black beans, frozen corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies (including their juice), and chicken broth. Mix everything thoroughly and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and fluff the rice mixture with a fork. Stir in the fresh lime juice for brightness. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese evenly over the top, cover the pan again, and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes so the cheese can melt completely. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving and enjoy your hearty one-pan chicken burrito bowl.
Notes
- Serve with sour cream, sliced avocado, fresh salsa, or tortilla chips for added texture and flavor.
- You can substitute brown rice for white rice, but increase the liquid slightly and extend the cooking time to ensure it cooks fully.
- To save time, use pre-cooked shredded chicken and add it after the rice is fully cooked, skipping the initial chicken browning step.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
