I Need a Recipe

Weeknight • Chicken

Simple Southwest Chicken Bowls

These vibrant bowls are packed with seasoned chicken, black beans, corn, rice, and fresh toppings for a quick and satisfying meal.

Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Simple Southwest Chicken Bowls

Craving a meal that's fresh, flavorful, and customizable? These Simple Southwest Chicken Bowls are your answer! They’re super easy to assemble, bursting with vibrant colors and tastes, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep. It's like having a fiesta in a bowl, no matter how busy your day is!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

For the Chicken

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Bowls

  • 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained (or 1.5 cups frozen, thawed)
  • 1/2 red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Optional Toppings

  • Diced avocado or guacamole
  • Salsa
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Lime wedges
  • Crushed tortilla chips

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.

  2. Step 2

    Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and lightly browned. Remove from heat.

  3. Step 3

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the black beans, corn, red onion, and chopped cilantro. Stir well.

  4. Step 4

    To assemble the bowls, divide the cooked rice among 4 serving bowls. Top each with a generous portion of the chicken, followed by the black bean and corn mixture.

  5. Step 5

    Add any desired toppings like diced avocado, salsa, sour cream, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Serve immediately.

Tips

  • Feel free to adjust the spice level of the chicken seasoning to your preference.
  • For meal prep, store the chicken, rice, and bean/corn mixture separately, then assemble when ready to eat.
  • Add some diced bell peppers or jalapeños to the chicken while cooking for extra veggies and kick.

More recipes you'll love

One-Pan Chicken and Rice Pilaf
Weeknight•50 min
One-Pan Chicken and Rice Pilaf

A deeply flavorful, comforting chicken and rice dish that cooks entirely in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.