Description
Dive into the vibrant flavors of this Spicy Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl paired with refreshing cilantro lime rice. It’s a delicious, customizable meal that’s perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Oregano
- Tomato paste
- Chicken broth
- Long-grain white rice (Basmati or Jasmine)
- Fresh cilantro
- Fresh lime juice
- Salt
- Canned black beans (rinsed and drained)
- Corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- Avocado (sliced or diced)
- Salsa (store-bought or homemade)
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese (or cotija cheese)
- Fresh jalapeños (thinly sliced)
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Rinse the Rice: Place 1 cup of long-grain white rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear.
- Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice with 1¾ cups of water and ½ teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15-18 minutes.
- Rest and Flavor: Once cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 5 minutes.
- Fluff and Mix: Uncover the rice, fluff it gently with a fork. Add ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro and 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice. Stir gently to combine.
- Prepare Chicken: If using chicken breasts, dice them into 1-inch pieces. If using chicken thighs, you can cook them whole or cut them into larger pieces.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 small chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Build the Sauce Base: Stir in 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add Chipotle: Stir in 2-3 chipotle peppers (chopped) and 1-2 tablespoons of adobo sauce from the can.
- Cook Chicken: Add the chicken to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it's lightly browned on all sides.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pan and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce.
- Layer the Base: In individual serving bowls, start with a generous portion of the Cilantro Lime Rice.
- Add Chicken: Spoon a hearty serving of the Spicy Chipotle Chicken over the rice.
- Pile on Toppings: Arrange your favorite toppings around the chicken: black beans, corn, sliced avocado, sour cream or Greek yogurt, cheese, and salsa.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with extra fresh cilantro, jalapeño slices, and a lime wedge. Serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: This dish is fantastic for meal prepping! You can prepare the chipotle chicken and cilantro lime rice ahead of time. For less spice, start with just one chipotle pepper and adjust to taste. Customize your toppings to suit your preferences!