FREE 30-Minute Dinners E-Book
FREE 30-Minute Dinners E-Book
Ambitious Kitchen
DinnerMeal Prep
April 28, 2016

Better Than Chipotle DIY Chicken Burrito Bowls

Better than Chipotle DIY Chicken Burrito Bowls that are awesome for clean eating and healthy meal prep. Chicken can be made in the slow cooker for ease!Ā 

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 40 mins

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you. Please read my policy page.

Jump to Recipe
Chicken Burrito Bowls with avocado and jalapeƱo

The other day I was thinking about how different my eating has been since twoĀ years ago. I’ve discovered this amazing accomplishment of balance and clean focused eating in my diet. I’ve stayed away from the extremes of overeating and undereating and somehow just seem to be in this happy place.Ā Before I would conceptualize what it would feel like to enjoy the benefits of eating wholesome, nutritious foods while still enjoying a burger or a giant chocolate chip cookieĀ every now and then. It seemed so distant. Now my feet are in the place I wished I always could be; it feels like a wonderful, significant achievement.

As I’ve mentioned before, there are severalĀ things I’ve done to find this balance. One of them was nourishing my body with nutritious food every few hours. The second was prepping meals and snack ahead of time. The third was always making sure to enjoy a treat every now and then, because life’s too short not to. We’re never going to be perfect eaters. PerhapsĀ the perfection in eating, is choosing balance? Food for thought, I suppose.

Chicken Burrito Bowls with avocado and jalapeƱo slices

Today I’m sharing an incredibly simple and delicious recipe for chicken burrito bowls inspired by the ever-popular Chipotle. Surprisingly, I didn’t have Chipotle until I wasĀ a sophomore in college. I ordered a burrito, not knowing how GIANT they are and nearly passed out from stuffing myself silly. These days I settle for the lighter burrito bowls, andĀ sometimes I make them right at home. They’reĀ easy, flavorful and an amazing way to meal prep for the week.

First things first, I’m the realest. Wait, that’s an Iggy song lyric. Back up.

First things first, we make chicken!

Chicken Burrito Bowls with avocado and jalapeƱo slices

I usually make the chicken in the slow cooker for ease, but if you want you can simply bake it. I’ve included directions for both so you aren’t limited.

Next,Ā there’s always beans. I vote black beans, but pinto are also drop dead delicious.

What about that absolutely amazing corn salsa? I can’t get enough. Mine is full of sweet corn, red onion, cilantro & more lime juice.

Oh and the brown rice?Ā I make a coconut lime brown rice that’s basically the most addicting thing you’ll ever sink your teeth into. Trust the Ambitious lady. It tastes like fluffy coconut magic on your tongue. (Yes, I’m extra descriptive today.)

Cheese! I vote for Go Veggie’s Lactose FreeĀ Monterey Jack & Cheddar Shreds.

Topping are endless. I always go with a few slices of avocado, jalapenos (I like dat spice), and sometimes greek yogurt.

Chicken Burrito Bowls with avocado and jalapeƱo slices

After I’m doneĀ cooking my chicken and rice, I evenly divide everything into individual containers and stick them in the fridge for easy reheating.

I hope you love this simple meal prep idea. Not only does it save time, but also money (and probably calories). Enjoy! xo

chicken burrito bowls with avocado and jalapeƱo slices

If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and rate the recipe! You can also snap and picture and post it on InstagramĀ using the hashtag #ambitiouskitchen. And of course be sure to follow Ambitious Kitchen on Instagram. xo!

Cheap & Healthy Meal Prep Idea: Better Than Chipotle DIY Chicken Burrito Bowls

4.88 from 8 votes
Leave A Review Print Recipe
chicken burrito bowls on a table
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Serves4 burrito bowls
Better than Chipotle DIY Chicken Burrito Bowls that are awesome for clean eating and healthy meal prep. Cheap & easy to make. Chicken can be made in the slow cooker too!

Ingredients

  • For the chicken:
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts will also work)
  • 1 cup chunky salsa
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
  • For the rice:
  • 2 teaspoons coconut oil
  • 1 cup dry short grain brown rice
  • 2 cups water or vegetarian broth
  • 1 small lime, juiced
  • For the corn salsa:
  • 1 cup organic sweet corn
  • 1 small red onion, diced (or about 1/2 cup diced red onion)
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
  • 1 small lime, juiced
  • Freshly ground salt and black pepper, to taste
  • For the beans:
  • 1 (15 oz) can low sodium black beans, rinsed and drained
  • To garnish:
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shreds (dairy free if desired)
  • For garnish: Extra salsa, avocado slices (or guacamole), jalapenos if you like spice, cilantro, greek yogurt, hot sauce, etc

Instructions

  • Make the chicken: Place chicken, salsa and chipotle chili powder in a slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Once done cooking, shred chicken with two forks and place back in the slow cooker until ready to serve. If you don't have a slow cooker, refer to the notes section in the recipe for baking instructions.
  • To make the brown rice: Place a medium pot over medium heat and add in coconut oil and brown rice. Toast rice with the coconut oil for 5 minutes; stirring frequently to toast the rice and infused the coconut oil flavor in. After 5 minutes add in water and bring mixture to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove heat, add lime juice, then recover and let stand for 10 more minutes. Once done, season with a little salt to taste.
  • To make the corn salsa: In a medium bowl, combine corn, red onion, cilantro and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.
  • To make the bowls, evenly distribute rice, chicken, black beans and corn salsa into bowls (or containers if meal prepping.) Garnish with cheese, cilantro, hot sauce and extra salsa, if desired. If you are planning on enjoying the meal later, do not add the avocado. Add once ready to eat.
  • Makes 4 servings. One for Monday-Thursday if you like.

Recipe Notes

To bake the chicken in the oven instead of the slow cooker: Place chicken in a 9x9 inch greased baking pan. Cover the top of the chicken with salsa. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, depending on the size/thickness of your chicken.
Nutrition information does not include garnishes such as avocado or greek yogurt.

Nutrition

Serving: 1burrito bowlCalories: 525kcalCarbohydrates: 71.12gProtein: 37.8gFat: 13.8gFiber: 8.4gSugar: 4.8g

This recipe is in partnership with GO Veggie! All recipes, opinions and text are my own. Thanks for continuing to support AK and the brands that help make this site possible!

Download My FREE 7-Day Meal Plan

Join the AK email list and get my brand new, FREE Simple & Nourishing 7-day Meal Plan delivered to your inbox.

    Leave a comment & rating

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Rating:




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    49 comments

    Show Comments

    You might also like

    Be who
    you are!

    Not who
    they want
    you to be!
    blonde woman smiling in front of a tan background
    Having ambition is about being brave. It's about having the confidence to do what we were made to do.
    By fueling your body and honoring your journey you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to. In this space, we are committed to the pursuit of wellness and determined to stay balanced and real. We welcome you to our Ambitious Kitchen.
    Explore The Blog

    Stay inspired everyday