This Burrito Bowl Recipe is so satisfying! It’s the perfect healthy lunch option and it’s super easy to throw together.

Black bowl filled with rice, pico de gallo, black beans, onions, avocado, and shredded chicken.

A Burrito in a Bowl. What’s Not to Love?

I’ve always been a huge fan of Chipotle’s burrito bowl. A filling flavorful meal with simple fresh ingredients—what’s not to love? Sadly I don’t live near a Chipotle anymore, so I had to take to making my own at home.

Turns out ditching the tortillas is easy and incredibly yummy!

The ingredients are accessible and, best of all, this recipe leaves you with the opportunity for make-ahead lunches! You can also get creative and adapt it to your liking.

Ingredient Breakdown & Swaps

Exact measurements for the ingredients are in the printable recipe card below.

  • Rice. I like to keep things extra light and easy, so I use one of those ready-to-heat rice pouches. Yes, the ones you zap in the microwave. There’s no shame in the convenience game in my mind. You could also use leftover rice; quinoa also works.
  • Black beans.
  • Pico de gallo. I love using fresh pico de gallo because you’re getting a nice medley of tomatoes, onions, and peppers, which covers so many bases. If your preference is salsa, or simply using diced tomatoes, go for it!
  • Shredded cheese.
  • Chicken. Any cooked chicken works here. I go back and forth from grilling and chopping my own to using shredded rotisserie chicken from the food counter at the grocery store. You could also use leftover taco meat, leftovers from skillet chicken fajitas, or steak!
  • Red onion.
  • Avocado.
  • Taco seasoning. I like to toss my chicken in a bit of taco seasoning before adding it to the bowl, and then I sprinkle a little over the black beans, too.
Ingredients for a burrito bowl on a light background, labelled.

Topping Suggestions

  • I love chopping up leftover sweet potato wedges and adding them to my burrito bowls!
  • Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • Hot sauce
  • Lime wedge
  • Chili flakes
  • Fresh cilantro, or parsley if you dislike cilantro
  • Queso
  • Jalapeño
  • Shredded or chopped lettuce
  • Corn or other veggies
Black bowl filled with rice, pico de gallo, black beans, onions, avocado, and shredded chicken.

How to Make a Burrito Bowl

  1. Start by cooking anything that needs to be cooked (rice, chicken). When the chicken is done being cooked, you can chop it or shred it, place it into a small mixing bowl, and sprinkle in some taco seasoning. Toss to coat, and set the bowl aside. If you’re using pre-cooked chicken, just toss it in a bowl with the seasoning.
  2. Prepare your other ingredients by doing your chopping, etc., and have your ingredients at the ready.
  3. Grab a large bowl and put your rice into it first. Then add the meat, beans, cheese, pico de gallo, onion, and avocado. Sprinkle some taco seasoning over the beans. Plop a nice dollop of plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream) somewhere on top and sprinkle some chili flakes over your bowl if you wish. Then hit it with a nice hot sauce for an extra kick. Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley or cilantro and serve it with a lime wedge.
Burrito bowl next to jar of hot sauce, lime wedge, and bunch of fresh parsley.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

  • You can prepare a burrito bowl in advance. Just pop everything into an airtight container and store i the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • For several meal prep bowls to get you a few lunches for the week, prepare your bowls with all of the ingredients except for anything wet, like hot sauce, salsa, or Greek yogurt/sour cream; whatever you’re using as a “dressing”. Keep these in smaller containers and add them only as you’re about to dig in.

Have You Made This Recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR rating & commenting below with feedback!

You can also show off your creations on Instagram by tagging @killing__thyme

More Bowl Meals You’ll Love

Burrito bowl next to jar of hot sauce, lime wedge, and bunch of fresh parsley.

Healthy Burrito Bowl

This Burrito Bowl Recipe is so satisfying! It's the perfect healthy lunch option and it's super easy to throw together.
5 from 139 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 bowl
Calories: 493kcal
Author: Dana Sandonato

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cooked chicken
  • 1/2 cup cooked rice
  • 1/2 cup prepared pico de gallo or chopped tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup cooked black beans
  • 2 TBSP shredded cheese, more if you'd like! (I always add more.)
  • 1 TBSP taco seasoning
  • 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 anything that needs to be cooked, like your rice or chicken. When the chicken cooked, chop it or shred it, then pop it into a small mixing bowl. Sprinkle some taco seasoning over it and toss to coat; set it aside.
  • Prep the other ingredients, chopping your veggies and shredding your cheese, etc. Then grab yourself a personal-sized serving bowl and put your cooked rice into.
  • Top the rice with the chicken, beans, cheese, pico de gallo, onion, and avocado.
  • Sprinkle some taco seasoning over the beans and add a generous drop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream on top; add chili flakes for an extra kick along with some hot sauce.
  • Finish your bowl off with some fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, and serve it with a lime wedge.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 493kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 28g