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Easy Cilantro Lime Rice Bowl with Chicken

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  • Author: saadia
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus marinating)
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour (including prep and cook)
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Bake or Air-fry
  • Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

A flavorful and refreshing bowl featuring cilantro-lime rice, juicy marinated chicken, black beans, corn, avocado salsa, and a creamy chipotle yogurt sauce — perfect for quick dinners or meal prep.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 1/4 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice (plus more for rice and salsa)
  • 1 Tbsp lime zest
  • 3 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (plus more for garnish)
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups cooked long-grain rice
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 1/2 cups corn kernels
  • 2 ripe avocados, diced
  • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro (for salsa)
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice (for salsa)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (for salsa)
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo + 12 Tbsp adobo sauce
  • 1 Tbsp lime juice (for sauce)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (for sauce)
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder (for sauce)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix lime juice, zest, cilantro, olive oil, honey, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and marinate 30 minutes to 6 hours in the fridge.
  2. While marinating, prepare the rice by mixing with lime juice, lime zest, cilantro, and salt.
  3. Blend yogurt, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice, salt, and garlic powder until smooth. Chill.
  4. For salsa, combine avocados, cilantro, red onion, lime juice, and salt. Set aside.
  5. Preheat oven or air fryer to 400°F. Bake chicken for 20–25 minutes or air fry for 14–18 minutes until cooked through. Let rest and slice.
  6. Assemble bowls with rice, beans, corn, chicken, and salsa. Drizzle with chipotle yogurt sauce.
  7. Garnish with cilantro, lime wedges, or sliced jalapeños as desired.

Notes

  • Use chicken breasts if preferred; pound to even thickness.
  • Air-frying gives crispier results in less time.
  • Bowls keep well in the fridge for 3 days.
  • Chipotle yogurt sauce lasts up to a week in the fridge.
  • Add sautéed veggies or leafy greens for variety.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 600 kcal
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 920 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 64 g
  • Fiber: 14 g
  • Protein: 40 g
  • Cholesterol: 130 mg