Healthy Taco Rice Bowls with Chicken
These easy chicken taco bowls combine grilled chicken, brown rice, and colorful veggies for a healthy, high-protein and balanced bowl that’s ideal for meal prep or busy weeknights. Fresh, customizable, and full of Mexican-inspired flavor—this healthy taco bowl recipe makes clean eating delicious and simple.
Author: Sheeba
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked rice (2 cups cooked)
- ½ cup dried black beans (or 1½ cups canned)
Chicken mince with veggies
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 jalapeno
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 pound (450 grams) minced chicken
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 bell pepper
- ½ cup spinach (packed)
Guacamole
- 2 avocados
- 1 jalapeno
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- a few stalks of cilantro
For garnishing and serving
- ¾ cup tomato salsa
- 2 limes sliced into wedges
- 1 jalapeno sliced
- more cilantro
STEP BY STEP IMAGES
Scroll back to find detailed recipe photos!
Instructions
Cook rice and beans
- Cook rice as per instructions.
- If you’re using dried black beans, soak them for a couple of hours and pressure-cook them (or you can use the instant pot).
Sauté aromatics
- Finely chop 1 onion and 1 jalapeno. Mince 4 cloves garlic.
- Sauté the chopped onions. Once they turn translucent, add minced garlic and chopped jalapeno and stir for a couple of minutes.
- Add 1 tablespoon tomato paste and stir on low flame.
Prepare taco seasoning
- Prepare the taco seasoning in a small bowl: 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon chipotle powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon coriander, and ½ teaspoon salt.
Cook minced chicken with vegetables
- Add 1 pound (450 grams) minced chicken to the onion mixture in the pan. Add the prepared taco seasoning.
- Stir the chicken with the spices and the onion mixture until the chicken turns opaque.
- Finely dice 1 bell pepper and add to the chicken. Stir for a few minutes.
- Add ½ cup spinach and cook until wilted.
- Turn off the heat and garnish with cilantro, roughly chopped. Keep aside.
5-ingredient guacamole
- Dice 2 avocados. Finely chop or mince 1 jalapeno and a few stalks of cilantro.
- Place them in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon lime juice and ¾ teaspoon salt.
- Mash using a potato masher or mortar and pestle.
- You can make the guacamole smooth or a little chunky, whatever you prefer.
Build your high protein taco bowl
- Divide the rice, beans and chicken into 4 portions and assemble them in individual bowls.
- Add dollops of guacamole to each bowl and drizzle salsa on top.
- Garnish with more cilantro and sliced jalapeno. Serve with lime wedges.
Video
Notes
- Rice: I’ve used a mix of brown and white rice. You can use either. Another option is to use the lime cilantro rice.
- Black beans: Canned or dried, both work here.
- Chicken mince: You can buy minced chicken or buy boneless breasts or thighs and mince them yourself.
- Salsa: I’ve used a store-bought smooth salsa here.
- Vegetables: Add a mix of multi colored bell peppers and spinach for better flavor and nutrition.
- Tomato paste: Quicker and easier than adding chopped tomatoes.
Nutrition Facts
Healthy Taco Rice Bowls with Chicken
Amount per Serving
Calories
668.5
% Daily Value*
Fat
27.1
g
42
%
Saturated Fat
4.2
g
26
%
Trans Fat
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
3.9
g
Monounsaturated Fat
16.5
g
Cholesterol
72.6
mg
24
%
Sodium
1232.2
mg
54
%
Potassium
1796.9
mg
51
%
Carbohydrates
75
g
25
%
Fiber
16.2
g
68
%
Sugar
7.2
g
8
%
Protein
37.3
g
75
%
Vitamin A
2307.3
IU
46
%
Vitamin C
79.2
mg
96
%
Calcium
119.6
mg
12
%
Iron
4.5
mg
25
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.