Ground Chicken Burrito Bowls

Some meals just work.

This was one of those dinners where everything came together easily, everyone built their bowl exactly how they wanted it, and there were no complaints at the table—which, if you’re feeding a family, you know is a win.

I made these ground chicken burrito bowls as a simple, homemade version of a Chipotle-style meal, and they turned out so good. Moving from the U.S., my family loves Chipotle but living here in Uganda, we decided to try our hand at creating our own burrito bowls utilizing the ingredients we can find here. These bowls were flavorful, filling, and made with ingredients we already had on hand (with a few creative swaps when needed because finding things like limes and cilantro here can be a bit tricky).

If you’re looking for a flexible, weeknight-friendly dinner, this one is definitely worth keeping in your rotation.

Why We Love This Meal

• Easy to customize for everyone
• Uses simple, affordable ingredients
• Comes together without a lot of stress
• Great for leftovers

How We Built Our Burrito Bowls

Each bowl had:

• Seasoned ground chicken
• Rice
• Black beans
• Sautéed fajita veggies (peppers + onions)
• Fresh guacamole
• Store-bought salsa on top

Simple, but really satisfying.

Ground Chicken Burrito Bowls (Easy Chipotle-Style Dinner at Home)

I made these ground chicken burrito bowls as a simple, homemade version of a Chipotle-style meal, and they turned out so good. Flavorful, filling, and made with ingredients we already had on hand (with a few creative swaps when needed).

If you’re looking for a flexible, weeknight-friendly dinner, this one is definitely worth keeping in your rotation.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Seasoned Ground Chicken

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 –2 tbsp oil
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika optional
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp oregano
• ½ –1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 –2 tsp pickle juice or a splash of vinegar

Seasoned Black Beans

• 1 can black beans or ~1½ cups cooked
• 1 tbsp oil or butter
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika optional
• ½ tsp salt

Simple Seasoned Rice

• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups water
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp butter or oil

Fajita Veggies

• 1 –2 bell peppers sliced
• 1 onion sliced
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

Quick Guacamole

• 2 avocados
• Salt to taste
• Optional: a small splash of vinegar or pickle juice

Method

 

Seasoned Ground Chicken

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking it up as it browns.
3. Stir in all spices, salt, and pepper.
4. Add a small splash of water and let it simmer for a few minutes.
5. Finish with pickle juice (or vinegar) for brightness.

Seasoned Black Beans

1. Heat oil or butter in a small pan.
2. Sauté garlic briefly.
3. Add beans, spices, and salt.
4. Simmer 5–7 minutes.
5. Lightly mash some of the beans for a creamier texture.

Simple Seasoned Rice

1. Cook rice with water and salt.
2. Fluff and stir in butter or oil before serving.

Fajita Veggies

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add peppers and onions.
3. Cook until softened and slightly caramelized.
4. Season with salt.

Quick Guacamole

1. Mash avocados.
2. Add salt and a little acidity if desired.
3. Mix and adjust to taste.

To Serve

1. Layer everything into bowls:
2. Rice
3. Chicken
4. Black beans
5. Fajita veggies
6. Guacamole
7. Salsa
8. Serve immediately and let everyone build their own bowl.

Notes

• If you don’t have lime (like I didn’t), a splash of vinegar or pickle juice (that’s what I used) works surprisingly well
• This is a great clean-out-the-fridge kind of meal
• Leftovers reheat well for lunch the next day