Chipotle Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl

Skip the take-out and make this Chipotle Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl at home! Bright, fresh and slightly spicy. It’s everything you love about Chipotle’s fajita bowl but better! With ingredients like cilantro lime rice, chipotle chicken, caramelized peppers and onions with all the toppings yet only a fraction of the calories.

I’ve made it no secret that Chipotle is my most favorite “fast food” restaurant. I would go there all the time when I was working. Each and every time I order the same darn thing, the chicken fajita bowl. One giant bowl of cilantro lime rice, chipotle chicken topped with the mild pico and the corn salsa. Then I add cheese lettuce and sour cream to the mix. And if that wasn’t enough I get a bag of their delicious sea salt and lime tortilla chips and use those to shovel it all into my face.

Because who really needs a fork? I’m helping save the environment.

I’m sure the whole bowl is like 8,000 calories. I won’t dare calculate it but I swear it’s totally worth each and every one. But after so many trips to Chipotle (and after sooooo many chicken bowls, probably a gazillion calories worth) it was about time I make my own homemade version of Chipotle Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl .

Also, these bowls are totally customizable, is that a word? Like today, I left off the cheese and I didn’t make the corn salsa. Instead I went with charred corn and homemade pico. SO delicious, I promise.

To Make These Chipotle Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl You Will Need:

for the chicken:

• boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• a large lime juiced
• homemade fajita seasoning
• ground chipotle pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon extra light olive oil

the peppers and onions:

• olive oil spray
• red bell pepper
• orange bell pepper
• yellow bell pepper
• green bell pepper
• sweet onion
• kosher salt

for the bowl:

• cilantro lime rice or cauliflower lime rice
• pico de gallo
• (better than Chipotle) guacamole
• sliced avocado
• charred sweet corn or Chipotle’s sweet corn salsa
• black beans
• greek yogurt or sour cream
• hot sauce
• tortilla chips

Always start cooking the rice first, using my favorite appliance, the rice cooker. Once cooked, fluff it with a fork and throw in some grated lime zest, the juice of 1/2 a lime, minced cilantro, salt and a 1/2 teaspoon extra light olive oil.

However for a healthier, low-carb option make cilantro lime cauliflower rice!

Place 1-1/2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (or butterflied) into a large bowl. Measure and add in 1/2 teaspoon extra light olive oil, the juice from 1 lime, 1-1/2 tablespoons taco or fajita seasoning and 3/4 teaspoon ground chipotle powder.

Toss the chicken to coat every square inch. Set this off to the side for a few.

Meanwhile get a little more prepping out of the way. Thaw 2 cups of frozen corn, drain and quickly char in a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Also, drain and rinse 1 (15 ounce) can of black beans.

Slice up a small-ish red, orange, yellow and green bell pepper. Along with a large sweet onion, or any onion you have on hand.

Next, lightly spray (with olive oil) and preheat a large 12-inch nonstick or cast iron skillet on medium-high heat. Work in batches (if necessary) and cook each of the chicken breasts for 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.

Once they are fully cooked, transfer them to a cutting board and repeat with any remaining chicken breasts. Allow the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes before chopping. Keep the chopped chicken warm under foil.

Increase the temp under the same skillet used to cook the chicken to high. Drop in the peppers and onions with a few pinches of kosher salt. Toss them around to coat in any remaining oil and then let them just sit there undisturbed so they can develop a good char.

Stir occasionally so they cook evenly. I like mine to be soft yet still a bit firm. Pat likes them melt-in-your-mouth soft. So with that said, remove the peppers and onions to serving bowl when they’re the way you like them.

Finally it’s time to start building your Chipotle Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl.

Build your bowls by layering cilantro lime rice, black beans, caramelized peppers and onions, charred corn, chopped chipotle chicken. Garnish with a slices of ripe avocado, pico de gallo and nonfat plain greek yogurt or sour cream.

A squeeze of lime, a few dashes of hot sauce and then inhale.

Oh how I LOVE this Chipotle Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl! Bright, fresh and slightly spicy with a billion toppings. And dare I say these are better than the “real” thing? Skip the carry out and make these epic bowls in the comfort of your own kitchen. You won’t regret it.

Now if only I had made these chips.

Enjoy! And if you give this Chipotle Chicken Fajita Bowl recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

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Yield: 6 servings

Chipotle Chicken Fajita Rice Bowls

Skip the take-out and make this Chipotle Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl at home! Bright, fresh and slightly spicy. Cilantro lime rice, chipotle chicken, caramelized peppers and onions with all the toppings yet a fraction of the calories.

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKEN:

• 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 1 large lime, juiced
• 1½ tablespoons homemade fajita seasoning
• 3/4 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper , or use 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely minced
• 1/2 teaspoon extra light olive oil

FOR THE PEPPERS AND ONIONS:

• olive oil spray
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into 3/4-inch thick strips
• 1 orange bell pepper, sliced into 3/4-inch thick strips
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into 3/4-inch thick strips
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced into 3/4-inch thick strips
• 1 large sweet onion, sliced int 3/4 inch thick strips [or any onion will do]
• kosher salt, to taste

FOR SERVING:

• see notes for rice and additional add-ins!

Instructions 

• In a large bowl combine the chicken, olive oil, lime zest and juice and seasonings. Toss everything to coat and set off to the side.
• Meanwhile I get a little more prepping out of the way. Thaw 2 cups of frozen corn, drain and quickly char in a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Transfer to a clean bowl. Also, drain and rinse 1 (15 ounce) can of black beans.
• In a 12-inch nonstick or cast iron skillet, spray with olive oil spray and preheat medium to medium high. If using cast iron, you may need to adjust the heat throughout so the chicken doesn't burn.
• Once the pan is hot, work in batches (if necessary) cook the chicken for about 6 to 8 minutes per side or until fully cooked. Then transfer the cooked chicken to a nearby cutting board and repeat with the remaining chicken.
• Chop the chicken into small, bite-size pieces and keep the chicken warm under foil.
• To the same skillet the chicken was in, add in the peppers and onions with a pinch of salt. Toss and cook undisturbed until they have good color and are cooked to your preference. About 20 (for more firm) to 30 minutes (for more tender). Transfer to a serving bowl.

TO SERVE:

• Spoon the cilantro lime rice into bowls and top with the chopped chicken, peppers and onions.
• Top with any other desired toppings like: pico de gallo, sliced avocado, greek yogurt or sour cream and a few dashes of hot sauce and any other desired toppings.

Notes

Additional Add-ins:

• cilantro lime rice or cauliflower lime rice
• pico de gallo
• sliced avocado or (better than Chipotle) guacamole
• charred sweet corn or Chipotle's sweet corn salsa
• black beans
• greek yogurt or sour cream
• hot sauce
• tortilla chips

Serving: 1g, Calories: 281kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 244mg, Potassium: 684mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1466IU, Vitamin C: 109mg, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 1mg

Author: Laurie McNamara

Course: Mains & Entrees

Cuisine: Mexican-American