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qdoba chicken burrito bowls recipe

Copycat Qdoba Chicken Burrito Bowls

When I think of a satisfying meal, few things come to mind as quickly as a hearty burrito bowl. These bowls are not only delightful to the palate but also adaptable to various tastes and dietary needs.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4
Calories 664 kcal

Equipment

  •  Bowls

Ingredients
  

Burrito Bowl Ingredients

  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 15 oz can sweet corn, drained and rinsed
  • ¼ cup diced red bell pepper
  • 4 cups cooked and chopped chicken seasoned Qdoba-style
  • 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese sour cream, guacamole, grilled vegetables, or salsa

Pico de Gallo Ingredients

  • 1 jalapeño pepper deseeded and finely diced (optional)
  • ½ cup red onion finely chopped
  • 1 small bunch fresh cilantro roughly chopped
  • ½ teaspoon minced garlic optional
  • 1 cup ripe Roma tomatoes finely diced
  • Juice of 1 fresh lime
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

For the Rice

  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 3½ cups water
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • Small handful of chopped cilantro leaves

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

  • Start by marinating your chicken. I prefer using boneless, skinless chicken breasts seasoned with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Marinate it for at least 30 minutes. Not only does this enhance flavor, but it keeps the chicken juicy. Once marinated, grill or pan-sear the chicken until cooked through. Cut it up into bite-sized pieces, and set it aside for assembly later.

Step 2: Make the Rice

  • In a medium pot, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring it to a boil. Stir in the rice, reduce heat, and cover. Cook according to the package directions. Once the rice is fluffy, stir in lime juice and cumin for an added zing.

Step 3: Prepare the Pico de Gallo

  • Dice the tomatoes and chop the onions, cilantro, jalapeño, and garlic (if using). Squeeze fresh lime juice over the mixture and season with salt and pepper. This fresh topping is a showstopper!

Step 4: Assemble the Burrito Bowls

  • In a bowl, layer the chicken, rice, black beans, corn, bell pepper, and lettuce. Top it off with your favorite toppings. You can arrange the layers so it's picture-perfect, or just toss it all in and go to town!

Step 5: Enjoy!

  • Serve immediately, but save some for later if you want—because leftovers can be just as good.

Notes

  • Experiment with Spices: Don’t be afraid to adjust spice levels to fit your palate. Adding cayenne or smoked paprika can give that extra kick!
  • Cook Rice Perfectly: Rinsing your rice before cooking helps remove excess starch, resulting in fluffier grains.
  • Add Fresh Ingredients: Incorporating fresh herbs like cilantro not only elevates the flavor but adds vibrant color to your dish.
  • Make it a Meal Prep: These bowls are fantastic for meal prepping. Make a big batch and divide it into containers for easy meals throughout the week.
  • Mix and Match Ingredients: Feel free to swap ingredients based on what you have available in your kitchen. This makes your meals more versatile.

Nutrition

Serving: 888gCalories: 664kcalCarbohydrates: 122gProtein: 25gFat: 9.7gSaturated Fat: 3.6gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 2881mgFiber: 7gSugar: 13g
Keyword Copycat Qdoba Chicken Burrito Bowls
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