Move over Chipotle, this healthy chicken burrito bowl recipe + fresh cilantro lime dressing is easy and delicious! Each bowl is loaded with protein + fresh ingredients and topped with a tangy, cilantro-lime vinaigrette. A simple, meal prep friendly recipe that's table ready in 30 minutes.
What a delicious recipe! This homemade burrito bowl was 10x better than Chipotle and quick and easy to make. The cilantro lime dressing should not be skipped - YUM!
Josie
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- In This Post
- Wow! That Cilantro Lime Burrito Bowl Dressing ...
- Ingredients
- How To Make Cilantro-Lime Dressing For Burrito Bowls
- How To Make Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowls
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Storage
- Equipment
- FAQ's: Healthy Burrito Bowls + Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Recipe
- More Recipes Like Healthy Burrito Bowls:
- Comments
Wow! That Cilantro Lime Burrito Bowl Dressing ...
I love giant fancy salads loaded with crazy combinations, fresh veggies, elaborate dressings and swanky food stuff, but in real life, they are kinda abhorrent to make. These chicken burrito bowls with cilantro lime dressing are simple, and fuss-free, because I 1000% believe that practical, realistic, ready in 30 minutes recipes are the best kind.
I don't know why I haven't posted this recipe sooner. It's one of those easy meals I go-to when I REALLY don't want to spend time in the kitchen, but don't have an excuse not to. The ingredients are totally customizable. Want to swap white rice for brown rice, do it! Do you have kids that gag at the mere mention of anything green? Take out the lettuce You get the idea.
Disclaimer ... modify, add ingredients, take things out, but PLEASE DON'T SKIP ON THE CILANTRO LIME BURRITO BOWL DRESSING. Enjoy it as a vinaigrette or add the Greek yogurt to make it creamy (my recommendation), but just make sure you try it - it really takes this basic burrito bowl recipe over the top!
-Bailey
Ingredients
For The Cilantro Lime Burrito Bowl Dressing
- cilantro - shop for fresh cilantro that's bright in color and crisp with firm stems
- Greek yogurt - it is important to purchase plain Greek yogurt (not regular yogurt) as the consistency is thicker
- lime juice - this dressing doesn't have a lot of ingredients so quality is important - purchase limes and juice them by hand
- garlic - opt for fresh garlic cloves, not pre-minced jarred garlic - Dorot's frozen crushed garlic cubes work nicely as well
- olive oil - select a high-quality extra virgin olive oil
- white wine vinegar - a milder flavor than distilled white vinegar - helps balance the flavors of the dressing
For The Chicken Burrito Bowls
- olive oil - select a high-quality extra virgin olive oil
- chicken breast - chopped into 1" peices - chicken thighs or rotisserie chicken can be subbed
- taco seasoning - you can make this homemade version or purchase your favorite from your local grocery store
- lettuce - I typically use romaine, but use what you have on hand or to save time you can purchase pre-shredded bagged lettuce
- corn - fresh corn tastes amazing, but I typically purchase frozen fire-roasted corn for convenience
- cherry tomatoes - grape or cherry tomatoes are preferred, but dicing a conventional tomato works well too
- rice - I recommend purchasing frozen rice from your local grocery - it steams perfectly every time.
- black beans** - (optional) - a great way to add extra protein, you can make from scratch, or purchase canned beans
How To Make Cilantro-Lime Dressing For Burrito Bowls
Step 1: Add cilantro, yogurt, lime juice, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and salt to a high speed blender or food processor.
Step 2: Blend or pulse (depending on if using blender or food processor)all ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
How To Make Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowls
Step 1: Make chicken seasoning. In a large mixing bowl, combine taco seasoning, brown sugar, cornstarch and olive oil.
Step 2: Season chicken. Dice chicken into 1" chunks. Add raw chicken to seasoning/oil blend. Stir to coat completely.
Step 3: Cook chicken. Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Cover with foil and set aside.
Step 4: Prepare the cilantro-lime rice. Prepare rice. Place warm rice into a medium mixing bowl. Add cilantro, lime juice and salt. Mix well.
Step 5: Assemble Burrito Bowls. Divide all burrito bowl components into 4 bowls.
Step 6: Add dressing. Top each burrito bowl with cilantro lime dressing.
See recipe card for quantities.
Top Tip: When serving, arrange all the individual components on the table and allow each person to customize their own bowl bowl based on their individual preferences.
Substitutions
There are an infinite amount of substitutions you could do when making healthy burrito bowls. It's more of a concept than a recipe. Just don't skip on the Cilantro Lime Burrito Bowl Dressing!
Lettuce - romaine lettuce can be replaced with iceberg, bagged shredded lettuce, kale, spinach ... use what you have on hand.
Chicken Breasts - chicken thighs, ground beef, ground turkey or even steak cut into bite-sized pieces would be great
Brown Rice - for the cilantro rice, swap for white, basmati, jasmine ... it all tastes great
Dairy Free - eliminate the yogurt from the cilantro lime dressing and serve it as a vinaigrette instead
White Wine Vinegar - distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be subbed
Black Beans - sub for pinto beans if desired
Variations
Spicy - add some sliced jalapeños and add a little hot sauce or adobo sauce to the dressing
Deluxe - add sour cream, diced red onion + bell peppers, cheese, guac and a dollop of salsa and some crumbled tortilla chips would take it to the next level
Kid-friendly - serve the components separately - add additional options like cheese, cucumbers and plain rice
Storage
This homemade burrito bowl is a great recipe for meal prep. I LOVE making the components of these burrito bowls on a Sunday afternoon and enjoying a quick easy lunch throughout the week. I recommend storing each component in separate containers so that nothing gets soggy and the chicken, rice, beans and corn can be reheated.
Refrigerator: Store each individual component in an airtight container. Everything should stay fresh for a minimum of 3 days.
Freezer: Both the cooked chicken and the rice can be frozen. For the chicken, arrange prepared chicken into a single layer on a sheet pan, freeze for 3 hours and then place into an airtight freezer bag. For the rice - Allow to cool completely and then store flat in an airtight freezer bag. Both the chicken and the rice will stay fresh for up to 3 months. To thaw, place the frozen rice or chicken bag into the refrigerator overnight and warm in microwave before adding to burrito bowl.
Equipment
You can use wither a quality high-speed blender OR a food processor to make the cilantro lime burrito bowl dressing.
Food Processor - This is the food processor that I use and love. When making dressings or sauces, I typically use the smaller bowl and it blends perfectly every time.
Ninja Blender Pro - I have also made this dressing using this single serve blender.
FAQ's: Healthy Burrito Bowls + Cilantro Lime Dressing
Yes! The dressing will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days (as long as you use fresh yogurt). Use any extras in wraps, as a dip or even as a fun topper for roasted vegetables.
Of course! Chicken thighs are delicious in burrito bowls. Since the chicken is diced prior to cooking, you can follow the recipe directions exactly as written.
Recipe
Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowls with Cilantro-Lime Dressing
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 4 large chicken burrito bowls 1x
Description
This healthy chicken burrito bowl recipe + fresh cilantro lime dressing is easy and delicious! Each bowl is loaded with protein + fresh ingredients and topped with a tangy, cilantro-lime vinaigrette.
Ingredients
FOR THE CILANTRO-LIME DRESSING:
- 1 cup loosely packed cilantro
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 Tbs. lime juice
- 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp. white wine vinegar
- ¼ tsp salt
FOR THE CHICKEN:
- 1 ¼ pound raw chicken breasts, diced into 1" chunks
- 3 teaspoons taco seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
FOR THE CILANTRO LIME RICE
- 2 cups prepared brown rice (I use frozen)
- 3 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
- juice of 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon salt
FOR THE BURRITO BOWLS:
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 - 12 ounce bag fire roasted corn, prepared
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
Instructions
Cilantro Lime Dressing:
- Add all ingredients to a food processor or high speed blender. Blend/pulse until smooth. You may need to scrape the edges of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
Chicken: (stove top instructions in recipe notes)
- Heat air-fryer to 400 degrees.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine taco seasoning, brown sugar and cornstarch.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the spices, mix well.
- Toss chicken in the oil/spice mixture until coated on all sides.
- Arrange chicken on the air fryer basket or rack in a single layer, leaving a little space so the air can circulate. Airfare for 9-12 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Cilantro-Lime Rice:
- Cook rice according to package directions and then pour warm rice into a medium mixing bowl. Add cilantro, the juice of 1 lime and salt. Mix well.
Assemble Bowls:
- Into each of 4 bowls, add ¼ of the chicken, corn, beans, rice, tomato and lettuce. Top with cilantro lime dressing. Enjoy!
- ASSEMBLY: To each bowl, add ¼ of the Romaine, ¼ of the corn, ¼ of the slice cherry tomatoes, ¼ o the diced chicken. Drizzle with cilantro-lime dressing.
Notes
Stove-Top Directions For Chicken: Move over Chipotle, this healthy chicken burrito bowl recipe + fresh cilantro lime dressing is easy and delicious! Each bowl is loaded with protein + fresh ingredients and topped with a tangy, cilantro-lime vinaigrette. A simple, meal prep friendly recipe that's table ready in 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Main Meal
- Method: Stovetop Or Airfryer
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken burrito bowl
- Calories: 262
- Sugar: 4.2 g
- Sodium: 164.6 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 49.8 g
- Protein: 13.7 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Deepa
I made this but instead of taco seasoning I marinated the chicken in a mixture of cilantro, garlic, chilies, lime and roasted tomatoes and baked them (chicken breasts). Fabulous recipe, thanks!
Bailey Sissom
Yum! Your marinade sounds delicious!
Josie
What a delicious recipe! This homemade burrito bowl was 10x better than Chipotle and quick and easy to make. The cilantro lime dressing should not be skipped - YUM!