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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, whichever you prefer. Pico de gallo, Texas caviar, quick-pickled red onions, hot sauce, Greek yogurt lime crema, chopped cilantro, and some seasoning for tossing your chicken and beans! (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 tablespoon 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 tablespoon shredded cheese, more if you'd like!
- 1 tablespoon finely sliced or diced red onion
- 1/2 avocado, sliced or chopped
For serving:
- 1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tablespoon 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