These Easy Chicken Taco Bowls are simple, healthy, and absolutely delicious! If you’re looking to enjoy Taco Tuesday on a lighter note and in 30 minutes, then this is the recipe for you.
Tender, juicy chicken, Avocado Corn Salsa, and black beans served over brown rice and drizzled in a Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce. So much flavor you will forget that you’re eating healthy!
CHICKEN TACO BOWLS
Who doesn’t love tacos? Or taco bowls for that matter? It certainly doesn’t need to be Tuesday for us to enjoy some form of tacos in this house. These Easy Chicken Taco Bowls are top notch when it comes to enjoying tacos, but on a healthier and lighter note.
I’m not sure what I love more about this bowl. The tender, juicy bites of chicken that are seasoned perfectly or the drizzle of Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce that truly pulls this entire bowl together.
Let’s not forget the Avocado Corn Salsa that elevates these Chicken Taco Bowls to a drop-your-jaw delicious level!
JUICY, TENDER CHICKEN BITES
It wasn’t until about a year or so ago that I learned how to make chicken bites that are incredibly juicy and tender on the inside. The way chicken should be. The key ingredient? Cornstarch!
Many stir-fry recipes utilize cornstarch with the chicken to keep it from drying out while it cooks in the pan or wok. Ever since I tried it with a stir-fry recipe, I have been hooked with using it anytime I cook bite-sized chunks of chicken.
WHY CORNSTARCH?
Cornstarch helps to brown the chicken on the outside while keeping the flavors and juices locked in on the inside. It helps to prevent overcooking and inevitably toughening up the meat. The end result is tender, juicy chicken that is full of flavor.
I recommend seasoning the chicken before coating it in cornstarch. The easiest way to go about this is to add the chunks of chicken to a ziploc bag, add the seasonings, seal the bag and toss to thoroughly coat. Once coated, add the cornstarch, reseal, and toss to coat once more. Make sure that each chunk is coated in cornstarch!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE THESE EASY CHICKEN TACO BOWLS
Full recipe with directions can be found via the printable recipe card below. Scroll down! 🙂
- Brown rice (can sub with white rice or cauliflower rice for a l0w-carb option)
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Cornstarch
- Olive oil
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder, cilantro, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder
- Veggies: cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, scallions, corn, black beans, red onion
- Limes
- Cream cheese
- Cashew milk
- Cheddar cheese
COOKING TIPS AND SWAPS
- Cornstarch: Although it does help keep the chicken juicy and tender, it can be omitted. If not using cornstarch, I recommend covering the chicken with a lid as it cooks to retain some moisture.
- Cilantro: Add this to the salsa, as well as the dish, to taste. Some people prefer a lot whereas others prefer very little. Add as needed.
- Rice: You can use brown rice (as listed) or swap it out for white rice, cauliflower rice, or even a bed of lettuce.
- Black beans: I prefer these drained and rinsed and tossed directly with the rice as soon as it is cooked. This helps to warm them slightly.
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce: the thickness of the sauce will depend on your preference. The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of milk. If you prefer a thicker sauce, start with 3 tablespoons or 1/4 cup and add to thin, if desired.
- Avocado: I am always asked how to keep an avocado from browning. I recommend using avocados that are just starting to ripen. Do not use fully ripe avocados. They will brown much faster. The lime juice is also key in helping slow down the oxidizing. The shelf life of the salsa will be 1-2 days. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
MORE TACO TUESDAY FAVORITES TO TRY
- Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- Skinny Taco Salad – Meal Prep
- Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Loaded Skinny Taco Flatbread Pizza
- Southwest Style Sweet Potato Taco Lettuce Wraps
STILL HUNGRY? FIND ME ON:
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST
Easy Chicken Taco Bowls
Ingredients:
- 2 cups brown rice, (cooked)
- 1 cup black beans, (no salt added, drained and rinsed)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Chicken:
- 1 1/4 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, (sliced into bite-size pieces)
- salt and pepper, (to taste)
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 lime, (juiced)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Avocado Corn Salsa:
- 1 large avocado, (peeled, pitted and chopped)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, (halved)
- 2-3 tbsp lime juice, (add to taste)
- 1-2 tbsp cilantro, (add to taste)
- 1/2 cup sweet corn
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- salt and pepper, (to taste)
- 1/4 cup red onion, (chopped)
Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce:
- 4 oz cream cheese, (softened to room temp)
- 2 scallions, (root removed)
- 2 small limes, (juiced)
- 1/3 cup cashew milk, (or milk of choice)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup cilantro leaves
Garnishments:
- lime wedges
- freshly chopped cilantro
- chopped scallions, (green onions)
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients for the creamy cilantro lime sauce into a food processor and blend until it reaches a creamy consistency. Add lime juice, salt and pepper - all to taste. Place into the fridge until ready to use.The consistency of the sauce will depend on how much liquid you add. If you prefer a thicker sauce, start with 3 tablespoons or 1/4 cup of milk and increase to reached desired consistency.
- Start with the rice. Cook according to package instructions. Once cooked, toss in the black beans to warm and stir.Can sub with white rice, cauliflower rice, or a bed of lettuce.
- Place the cut chicken into a ziploc bag. Add the seasonings, seal the bag, and toss to coat. Add the cornstarch, reseal, and toss to thoroughly coat - making sure each chunk is coated.
- Place a large, nonstick pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is heated, add the chicken and cook 2-3 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Squeeze half or 1 full lime over the chicken as it cooks.Remove from heat.
- While the chicken is cooking, prep the avocado corn salsa by combining all ingredients into a medium-sized bowl, adding the avocado last. Fold in gently.Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add lime juice and cilantro as listed or to your taste preference.
- Assemble the bowl: Divide the ingredients between 4 bowls: the black bean and rice mix, chicken, avocado corn salsa, cheese, and drizzle with the creamy cilantro lime sauce.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, a squeeze or two of lime juice, and chopped scallions.
Notes:
- Cornstarch: Although it does help keep the chicken juicy and tender, it can be omitted. If not using cornstarch, I recommend covering the chicken with a lid as it cooks to retain some moisture.
- Cilantro: Add this to the salsa, as well as the dish, to taste. Some people prefer a lot whereas others prefer very little. Add as needed.
- Rice: You can use brown rice (as listed) or swap it out for white rice, cauliflower rice, or even a bed of lettuce.
- Black beans: I prefer these drained and rinsed and tossed directly with the rice as soon as it is cooked. This helps to warm them slightly.
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce: the thickness of the sauce will depend on your preference. The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of milk. If you prefer a thicker sauce, start with 3 tablespoons or 1/4 cup and add to thin, if desired.
- Avocado: I am always asked how to keep an avocado from browning. I recommend using avocados that are just starting to ripen. Do not use fully ripe avocados. They will brown much faster. The lime juice is also key in helping slow down the oxidizing. The shelf life of the salsa will be 1-2 days. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Thank you so much for the free tips and tricks and ofcourse this recipe.
Anytime!
Made this for lunch yesterday and WOW! I tell everyone I know that I suck at chicken but any time it is a recipe by you, the chicken is always incredible at the end. thank you so much for this yummy recipe! Bursting with flavor.
The cornstarch is truly the key to making perfectly crispy, yet juicy and flavorful chicken, isn’t it?? I have a hard time cooking chicken without using it! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe so much. Thank you kindly for your time to comment back! 🙂
Everyone in the family loved this recipe! Thank you for sharing
Thank you, Kathryn! I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed it so much!!