Quick Chicken Lunch Bowl
A quick and nutritious chicken lunch bowl featuring seasoned chicken, cilantro lime rice, and vibrant street corn mixture ideal for meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, thighs, or tenderloins, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Street Corn Topping
- 3 cups sweet corn, frozen or fresh
- 2 tbsp light sour cream
- 1/4 cup light mayo
- 3 tbsp cotija cheese or finely grated parmesan or queso fresco
- 1 tsp chili powder or tajin
For the Rice
- 1 cup jasmine rice, uncooked
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 ¼ cup water
- 1/4 cup minced cilantro (optional)
Optional Toppings
- to taste lettuce
- to taste pico de gallo
- to taste onions
- to taste jalapeno
- to taste diced avocado
- to taste tortilla chips
Instructions
Preparation of Cilantro Lime Rice
- In a medium pot, combine the jasmine rice with water and kosher salt. Heat it until it starts to boil lightly, then lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer until the water is absorbed.
- Remove the pot from heat and let it rest. Fluff the rice with a spatula, mixing in the lime juice and cilantro for added zest and freshness.
Cooking the Chicken
- In a mixing bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, kosher salt, oregano, lime juice, and olive oil until everything is evenly coated.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the seasoned chicken. Cook it until it’s browned and cooked through, which should take around 6 to 8 minutes.
Making the Street Corn Topping
- Heat the sweet corn in a separate skillet until it’s warmed through. Stir in light mayo, sour cream, cotija cheese, lime juice, and chili powder.
- Mix thoroughly, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Add hot sauce if desired.
Assembly
- Start with a generous scoop of the cilantro lime rice as the base.
- On top of the rice, layer the perfectly cooked chicken, then add the street corn mixture.
- Finish with any additional toppings you enjoy, like lettuce, pico de gallo, or diced avocado.
Notes
Let the rice rest after cooking to enhance its texture. Adjust spices and lime juice based on personal taste preferences. Optional toppings can add a fresh crunch and elevate the dish further.