Easy Southwest Chicken Burrito Bowls (Meal Prep)

These Southwest Chicken Bowls are a flavorful meal that you can easily prep in advance for busy weeknights! Tender chicken is mixed with cilantro lime rice, black bean & corn salsa & romaine lettuce. Everything is topped off with a smoky Southwest dressing! It's a healthy meal the whole family will love.

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southwest chicken bowl with southwest dressing on top overhead view.

As a dietitian, I'm a big fan of ingredient prep. As in, I love to prep several different dishes that I can use in many different ways throughout the week. And this Southwestern Chicken Bowl recipe uses some of my favorites - an easy black bean & corn dip, cilantro lime rice, and Southwest Salad dressing.

It's one of those weeknight meals you'll want to come back to again and again because it has so many fresh flavors! By taking a bit of extra time at the beginning of the week to prep everything, you can relieve anxiety from the dreaded "what's for dinner" question!

If you want more delicious recipes that are similar to this one, try my Hot Honey Chicken & Sweet Potato Bowls, Healthy Mediterranean Bowl or Nourish Bowl with Chickpeas. For more easy dinners, try my Ground Chicken Stir Fry Skillet or Sweet Potato Skillet dinner.

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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
How to Make Southwest Chicken Bowls
Dietitian Tip
Video of How to Make Southwest Chicken Bowls
Variations
Equipment
Meal Prep & Storage for Southwest Chicken Bowls
Expert Tips
FAQ
Related
Perfect for Pairing
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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

These Southwest Bowls are made with fresh ingredients. Below are some ingredient notes. Check the printable recipe card at the bottom for ingredient measurements.

Southwest Chicken Bowl Ingredients on a Table,

For the Chicken & Black Bean Corn Salsa

Chicken - I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. Either one will work but the chicken thighs will take slightly longer to cook and they are a bit higher in calories and fat.
Spice Blend - I suggest making your own southwest seasoning because it is so easy, and you can customize it with your favorite southwest flavor. This recipe calls for chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper.
Garlic - to add flavor for the chicken.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil - olive oil adds moisture and prevents the chicken from drying out. Olive oil also adds heart-healthy fats that support brain health and hormone health.
Black Beans - Black beans are the base of the salsa recipe! They are a good source of fiber for a healthy gut. If you prefer, you can add in kidney beans too.
Corn - use fresh corn kernels cut off the cobb or canned or frozen corn. Corn adds more fiber and is a budget-friendly option that pairs great with black beans!
Bell Peppers - I use a red bell pepper and a green bell pepper for this recipe. Bell pepper adds crunch, color, flavor, and vitamin C. You can use any color bell peppers you like. I like using red bell peppers because they are the sweetest.
Red Onion - Red onion adds a bit of sweetness and crunch. If you prefer, use green onions or yellow onions instead.
Roma Tomato - I use Roma tomatoes, a type of plum tomatoes. They tend to have more "meat" meaning they have less juice and seeds so they hold together better in recipes like this black bean salsa. With that said, use any variety of fresh tomatoes you prefer and is accessible for you. Campari tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes will work, and cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes are good options for the winter when tomatoes aren't in season.
Cilantro - to add more flavor! If you hate cilantro, feel free to use parsley instead.
Jalapeno - optional to add heat.
Fresh Lime Juice - Fresh squeezed lime juice brightens up the flavor of this dish. You can substitute with lemon juice if you prefer!
Apple Cider Vinegar - You can use either Apple Cider Vinegar or White Wine Vinegar for this recipe. They are very similar in flavor.
Honey - To add a bit of sweetness. Honey is also an antimicrobial and using local honey helps with seasonal allergies.
Garlic powder, Salt & Pepper - I prefer using garlic powder instead of fresh garlic here because it's a bit more concentrated and a little goes a long way.

Ingredients for Cilantro Lime Rice

Rice - I like to use jasmine rice for this recipe because it cooks quickly. It's one of my favorite kinds of rice because it's fluffy and slightly sticky. You can use whatever your favorite rice is! Basmati rice or long-grain rice both work. And you can use white or brown rice. Brown rice has slightly more fiber than plain white rice and takes a bit longer to cook.
Cilantro - chopped cilantro adds a ton of fresh flavor and also some antioxidants. Feel free to substitute with parsley if you don't like cilantro.
Lime Juice - fresh lime juice adds moisture and a zesty flavor. It also provides some vitamin C! While you're at it, feel free to add lime zest too.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil - just a little bit of olive oil helps everything combine evenly.
Garlic powder, salt & Black Pepper - to tie everything together.

southwest salad dressing ingredients on a table.

For the Creamy Southwest Dressing

Greek Yogurt - using nonfat Greek yogurt is a healthier option to replace a majority of the mayonnaise or sour cream often found in dressings. It makes this recipe lower in saturated fats and calories than traditional Southwest Salad Dressing while providing the same flavors. You can replace plain yogurt with whipped cottage cheese if you prefer.
Olive Oil Mayonnaise - I use olive oil mayo because it has it has less total and saturated fat and is made with olive oil. You can use Avocado Oil Mayo, vegan mayo or regular Mayo instead. If you prefer, you can cut out the mayo altogether and use sour cream or extra Greek yogurt.
Lime Juice - Fresh lime juice adds a punch of flavor to this tangy dressing. You could substitute with lemon juice, but I feel lime juice pairs better with the other flavors in this recipe and it's more true to the traditional flavor of Southwestern Mexican recipes.
Garlic - You’ll be using peeled raw fresh garlic so a little bit adds lots of flavor. Garlic is an antimicrobial and it also contains antioxidants. If you don't like the taste of garlic, feel free to leave it out. You can also substitute using 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
Honey - a drizzle of honey balances out the acidity of the lime and Greek yogurt. Feel free to leave it out if you are watching your added sugars.
Fresh Cilantro - Fresh cilantro (also known as Chinese parsley) adds zest and amps up the citrusy vibes. Some people are genetically sensitive to the soapy-flavored aldehydes in cilantro so when I make this recipe for others, I always ask in advance if they like cilantro! If not, replace it with fresh parsley or leave it out.
Seasonings - we are using a combination of chili powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper to give it the best flavor!

Optional for the Bowls

Greens - I like to add crisp veggies like romaine lettuce for this bowl, but mixed greens or spinach work great here too!
Variety of Toppings - simple ingredients like sliced avocado or guacamole, cheese, crushed tortilla chips, or sour cream are all good.

How to Make Southwest Chicken Bowls

Below are the instructions for how to make this easy recipe with some visuals that I hope are helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.

overhead view of chicken marinading in a glass bowl.

Step 1 - Prep the chicken: Cut the chicken into cubes. Add the marinade ingredients including the spices and olive oil to a medium bowl and add the chicken. Give it a toss until everything is coated. Set aside to let the chicken marinade at least 30 minutes while you make the other components of the bowl.

Step 2 - Make the cilantro lime rice: cook rice according to the instructions on the package. Let it cool about 5-10 minutes and then add the cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic powder, salt & black pepper. Mix to combine.

Step 3 - Make the Black Bean & Corn Salsa: while the rice is cooking, prep your salsa. Finely chop the bell peppers, roma tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, and jalapeno (if using). Drain and rinse the black beans and corn. If using fresh or frozen corn, cook it using your preferred cooking method first. Add the chopped vegetables, black beans, corn, cilantro, lime juice, vinegar, honey garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Toss to combine.

southwest dressing in a bowl, overhead view.

Step 4 - Prep the Southwest Dressing: to a blender, add the dressing ingredients and blend until smooth, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 5 - Cook the chicken: heat a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add olive oil and heat until it shimmers. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, undisturbed. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until fully cooked to an internal temperature of
165℉ (75°C)

southwest chicken bowl with southwest dressing in the background.

Step 6 - Assemble the bowls: Add the rice, chicken, romaine lettuce (or greens of choice), and salsa to a bowl. Top it with the Southwest Dressing and toppings of choice.

Hint: meal prep in advance by making the black bean & corn salsa and Southwest dressing ahead of time!

Dietitian Tip

Making recipes like these Southwest Chicken Rice Bowls is a great option to get in lean proteins and tons of fresh veggies while leaving room for customization for the entire family. I like to serve everything in individual bowls and everyone can pick & choose what they want! If you meal prep a healthy option like this in advance, you'll likely to have enough for a couple of dinners or at least for dinner and lunch the next day.

Video of How to Make Southwest Chicken Bowls

Here's a video of how to make this recipe that I hope is helpful!

Variations

One of the great things about this Southwest Chicken Bowl is you can customize the recipe to your liking. Below are some suggestions for variations, but feel free to get creative and put your spin on it.

Spicy - this recipe has a slight kick to it but if you like more spice, add cayenne pepper to the chicken marinade and dressing. Mix poblano peppers into the black bean & corn dip.
Deluxe - add roasted sweet potatoes, pico de gallo, and homemade guacamole to take it up another notch!
Low Carb - if you are following a low carb eating pattern, either serve yourself a smaller portion of the rice. Or instead of regular rice, you can use cauliflower rice for this recipe. Just cook the cauliflower rice and mix in the same additions for the cilantro lime flavor!

Equipment

You'll need a saucepan to cook your rice and a deep skillet to cook the chicken. I use my Caraway skillet which is a non-toxic PFOA and PTFE-free saute pan for the chicken.

To make the dressing, you'll need either a food processor or a high-speed blender. I have both a Beast Blender and Ninja Blender and love them both! You can also use a food processor like my beloved KitchenAid food processor for the dressing.

Meal Prep & Storage for Southwest Chicken Bowls

*I suggest storing the individual components of this recipe separately.

Meal Prep - meal prep in advance by chopping the veggies for the salsa. You can also make the cilantro lime rice and the dressing in advance!
Storage for Chicken - store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Storage for Cilantro Lime Rice - let the rice cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Storage for Black Bean & Corn Salsa- store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Storage for Southwest Dressing - store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. A mason jar works perfectly. Or grab these single-serve dressing containers for on-the-go.

southwest chicken bowl with southwest dressing on top portrait view

Expert Tips

Marinade the chicken for 30 minutes, up to 24 hours in the fridge.
Be careful when adding the chicken to the hot oil because it may splatter!
A small amount of mayo added to the Greek yogurt goes a long way in this recipe and cuts the tanginess of the Greek yogurt! It also helps the dressing emulsify a bit better. With that said, you can totally leave the mayo out. It still tastes great.
Rinse the rice under cold water in a mesh strainer before cooking. This helps get rid of some of the starch and will prevent the rice from becoming gummy while it cooks.
Don't remove the lid from the pot while the rice cooks! It will release some of the steam.
After the rice is done, remove the pot from the heat and let it stand for 5-10 minutes, covered, before removing the lid.
I like to finely chop the vegetables for the black bean salsa.
If you or someone you are serving doesn't like cilantro, replace it with parsley or leave it out. The meal will still have plenty of flavor.

FAQ

Is this Southwest Chicken Bowl healthy?

While healthy means something different to everyone, this is a nutrient-rich option. The chicken provides high-quality lean protein, iron, and vitamins B6 & B12. The black bean salsa provides important nutrients including antioxidants, dietary fiber for a healthy gut, heart-healthy fats that support brain health and hormone health, and plant protein. The rice provides carbs which are your body's preferred energy source! And the Southwest Dressing is made with Greek yogurt which provides protein, calcium, and vitamin D.

How do I know when to add the chicken to the pan?

Add the chicken when the olive oil is shimmering. You can also test to see if the pan is hot enough by adding a drop of water. If the water evaporates, the pan is hot enough.

How do I know when my chicken is cooked through?

The best way to tell that your chicken is done is to check it with an instant-read meat thermometer. The chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165 F

Can I use a taco seasoning packet to marinade the chicken?

I like to make my own taco seasoning so I can have more control over the taste, but you can abolustley use a packet! I suggest Siete taco seasoning for this.

Could I replace the mayo in the dressing with something else?

Absolutely! Just add an extra Tablespoon of Greek yogurt or skip it altogether. If you skip the mayo, you can add a teaspoon of olive oil to help the dressing emulsify a bit better.

What is the best kind of rice to use for this recipe?

I like to use jasmine rice for this recipe because it cooks quickly and is fluffy and a little bit sticky. But you can use your favorite rice! Long-grain white rice works great because it's fluffy and will absorb the flavors well similar to Jasmine rice. Brown rice is a higher fiber option, but takes longer to cook.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this is a gluten free recipe.

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Perfect for Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Southwest Chicken Bowl:

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian

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