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This healthy burrito bowl recipe gives you juicy, well-seasoned chicken, black beans, creamy avocado, and a heap of fresh vegetables all piled into one satisfying bowl. It’s the kind of thing you’ll want to make ahead, eat all week, and still not get sick of.
I have a soft spot for Chipotle’s burrito bowls—but who doesn’t? They’re fresh, flavorful, and packed with all the good stuff. But because takeout gets expensive (and sometimes I just want to indulge in a big Mexican bowl without putting on proper pants), I started making my own. Same vibe, budget-friendly, and honestly, better! Because you get to play around with the ingredients. Plus, they double as the kind of make-ahead meal you’ll actually look forward to.
While you’re on a bowl meal kick, check out my sheet-pan chicken fajita bowl, my healthy rice bowl with salmon, and my high-protein canned tuna bowl. They’re great lunch recipes, reimagined!
Table of Contents
Ingredients to Build Your Bowl
Building a burrito bowl is somewhat of a choose-your-own-adventure experience, so have fun with it! Here are the main ingredients to consider:
The Base
Grains: In this recipe I use rice, but quinoa and farro are great, too.
Protein: Shredded rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. You can use leftovers from Mexican-inspired dinners, such as marinated chicken fajitas or ground turkey tacos, and honestly, non-Mexican leftovers work, too. Shred some leftover spatchcocked chicken or cut up air-fryer chicken cutlets. Shrimp, ground beef, ground pork…get creative.
Toppings
Veggies: Chopped tomatoes, red onions, sautéed fajita veggies, sweet potatoes, zucchini, and corn offer a great variety.
Beans: Black beans are my go-to, but pinto beans work as well.
Cheese: Shredded cheddar, cotija, or a drizzle of queso!
Extras: Avocado or guacamole, however you prefer it. Pico de gallo, Texas caviar, quick-pickled red onions, hot sauce, plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, chopped cilantro, and some seasoning to toss your chicken and beans in! (I use my taco seasoning recipe.)
How to Make a Burrito Bowl
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
If you’re cooking your own chicken, you can season it prior to cooking. Bake chicken breasts or thighs at 350ºF for 20-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160-165ºF, as measured with a meat thermometer. Then shred or cube it, and set it aside.
Step 2: Cook the Rice
As per the directions on the package. For extra flavor, you can cook rice in broth.
Step 3: Get the Fresh Stuff Ready
Clean and chop any vegetables you’re using, rinse your beans, and grate your cheese.
Step 4: Build a Delicious Burrito Bowl!
Scoop rice into a bowl, then top with the cooked chicken and whatever veggies and toppings you’re using.
Substitutions & Variations
- Different Grain Options: Brown rice is great for its lower glycemic index and higher fiber content. You could also use farro or quinoa.
- Low-Carb Version: Cauliflower rice or shredded lettuce. Still very satisfying.
- High-Protein Upgrade: Add an extra 4–6 oz chicken, toss in chickpeas, or add a dollop of Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Vegetarian Option: Crispy, seasoned tofu, air-fried chickpeas, cubed baked sweet potato, or cauliflower florets.
Meal Prep Tips
- Store components separately for maximum texture.
- Chicken keeps 3–4 days in an airtight container.
- Reheat chicken and rice (and beans if you prefer), then add veggies and toppings.
- For work lunches, pack crunchy veggies and any dressing or sauce separately to prevent a soggy lunch.
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store the chicken and rice separately from the veggies in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze the chicken in a freezer-friendly container for up to 3 months. Transfer it to the fridge the night before you plan to use it.
- Reheat: Heat the chicken and rice in the microwave in 25-second increments until warmed through, then add your veggies and toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anything you stuff into a tortilla for a burrito can go into a burrito bowl. This includes your protein, veggies, cheese, rice, and toppings like guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. You can make it your own based on your preferences!
Yes, a burrito bowl is healthy as long as you stick to nutritious ingredients. It’s a high-protein meal that includes a nice dose of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. To ensure the recipe stays healthy, limit things like cheese and sour cream.
★★★★★
“Love this burrito bowl recipe! It’s made meal prep easy and honestly I had this all week last week and didn’t get tired of it. People at work were jealous of my lunches ;)”
—JC
Healthy Burrito Bowl
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cooked chicken, You can cook your own or, for convenience, get prepared shredded rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
- 1 TBSP taco seasoning
- 1/3 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 cup prepared pico de gallo or chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 cup cooked black beans, rinsed well
- 2 TBSP shredded cheese, more if you'd like!
- 1 TBSP finely sliced or diced red onion
- 1/2 avocado, sliced or chopped
For serving:
- 1 TBSP plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 TBSP fresh chopped parsley or cilantro
- Lime wedge
- Sprinkle of chili flakes
- Drizzle of hot sauce
Instructions
- Cook rice as per the packages directions.
- Chop or shred the cooked chicken, then pop it into a small mixing bowl. Sprinkle some taco seasoning over it and toss to coat; set it aside.
- Prepare any other ingredients you're using (chop veggies and shred your cheese, etc.).
- Scoop the rice into a bowl and top it with the chicken, beans, cheese, pico de gallo, onion, and avocado.
- Sprinkle some taco seasoning over the beans. Add a generous scoop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream on top, then add chili flakes for an extra kick and some hot sauce.
- Finish your bowl off with some fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, and serve it with a lime wedge.
Notes
Nutrition
View more high-protein lunch ideas here!
Planning to try this ( buritto bowl). I need to cook my chicken breast first. What cooking method do you recommend?
Hi Kathryn, I’d just season it with some taco seasoning and bake it, then let it cool a bit and shred it. Let me know how it goes!
Made this for dinner when a friend was in town and we both loved it! It was so fresh and really fun to have a bowl meal at home. I’ll definitely make this again and am going to try it for meal prep sometime!
This is a great addition to our family meals. We love Chipotle so this did not disappoint.
I substituted refried beans for the black beans because my boys prefer them and I added corn . Everything else was according to recipe We used hot sauce , Greek yogurt for sour cream , and some queso. Everyone was happy ! Thank you