Move aside Chipotle-there is a DIYBurrito Bowlin the house. Burrito bowls are healthy, easy, delicious and customizable for the whole family.

Top view of a chicken burrito bowl with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, guacamole, cilantro, and limes.

Build-your-own burrito bowl is one of my favorite meals to serve because you set everything on the table and then everyone can make their bowl just the way they like it. The people will cheer to be able to add exactly what they want to their bowl.

Thisrecipe uses chickenbut you canuse any protein that you wantor have at home. Burrito bowls taste excellent with pork, steak or shrimp in them too. Or you could go the vegetarian route and just bulk up on the vegetables. I userice for burrito bowls but you could also usequinoaor cauliflower rice. These burrito bowls are super versatile and I haven’t eaten one I didn’t like.

Two burrito bowls packed with chicken, lettuce, pico de Gallo, avocados, and limes.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Quick and easy, ready in just 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
Healthy and customizable, packed with veggies, lean protein, and wholesome ingredients.
A build-your-own meal that the whole family can enjoy, with options to suit different tastes.
Jam packed with flavor with taco-seasoned chicken, fresh lime, and a delicious mix of toppings.

Recipe Ingredients

Long grain white rice
Chicken –I like to use boneless, skinless chicken breast
Taco seasoning mix
Poblano chile pepper
Whole kernel corn– Frozen
Black beans– Canned
Lime
Avocado
Vegetable oil– Or avocado oil
Romaine lettuce
Pico de Gallo
Cheese –I like to use shredded Mexican-style four-cheese blend
Salt
Cilantro– for serving

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

How to Make Burrito Bowls

Step #1.Cook the rice with water and salt, then let it sit and fluff with a fork.

Step #2.Season the chicken with taco seasoning, sauté with poblano pepper, then add corn and black beans.

Step #3.Mash avocado with lime zest, and whisk lime juice with oil and taco seasoning for dressing.

Step #4.Assemble bowls with lettuce, rice, chicken mixture, avocado, pico de gallo, cheese, and drizzle with lime dressing.

Step by step process of how to make burrito bowls.

Recipe FAQs

What do I put in a burrito bowl?

The sky is the limit. I choose a protein, a carb and then add veggies of my choice. Some suggestions include: chicken, rice, beans, corn, salsa, fajita veggies, avocado, or cheese.

Are burrito bowls healthy?

Burritos bowls are a well balanced meal complete with protein, carbs and fat. You can make that as healthy as you like but overall they are a filling meal with all of the right components. And I love that it’s a mix-and-match meal which means everyone in the family can make their bowl just how they like it.

Why is it called a burrito bowl?

Think of a burrito bowl as just a deconstructed burrito but it contains all of the same elements. Usually it is served without a tortilla as well. All of the ingredients are layered in a bowl to create a delicious dish.

Close up of a chicken burrito bowl with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, guacamole, cilantro, and limes.

Expert Tips

Mykids love this recipewithsome ranch on the top and it’s like a ricey salad.
Useboneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra flavorand tenderness.
Swap poblano peppers for bell peppersif needed, oradd more heat with jalapeños.
For a healthier twist, trybrown riceor cauliflower riceinstead of white rice.
Double the batch of chicken and toppingsto have leftoversfor meal prepping throughout the week.

A very close view of chicken burrito bowl to see detail of limes and cilantro and cheese avocados and tomatoes with fork.

How to Serve and Store Burrito Bowls

If you would like to bulk up these burrito bowls, you can addblack beansorpinto beans. I also love start the meal withhomemade baked corn tortilla chips,salsa,guacamole, and my7 layer dip. Pair it with a one my refreshing8 different homemade lemonade recipes.

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep components (rice, chicken, toppings) separate if possible to maintain freshness. Freeze the cooked chicken and rice in separate portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat before serving, then add fresh toppings like lettuce and avocado.