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Ground Chicken Burrito Bowls

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.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
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

Emily’s Notes

These ground chicken burrito bowls are one of our favorite meals because everyone gets to build their plate exactly the way they like it. With three kids, that’s a win every single time.

I set everything out in separate bowls, and each person adds their favorite toppings. Some load up on rice and chicken, others pile on the veggies, and someone always goes back for extra cheese. It’s one of those meals that makes dinnertime feel relaxed, easy, and a little more fun.

I also love that this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. The ingredients are simple, it’s easy to prep ahead, and leftovers make a great lunch the next day.

For me, meals like this are about more than what’s on the table. They’re about giving everyone a place to gather, share stories from the day, and enjoy a dinner that everyone is excited to eat. I hope these burrito bowls become a favorite around your table, too.

A warm kitchen setting with linens and wooden decor on a stool.

Pull Up a Chair

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turns out. Leave a comment below and let me know what you served it with. Some of our best dinner ideas have come from conversations around the table.

From Our Kitchen Notebook

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This pasta is simple, but it doesn’t taste simple. The garlic and butter build the base, the vegetables cook down into a rich tomato layer, and then everything comes together in a creamy sauce that coats every bite.
No cream. No cheese. Just real ingredients and a method that works every time.
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A Little About Me

I’m Emily — a wife, mom of three, and home cook who believes some of life’s best conversations happen around the table.

Our family moved back to Uganda after more than a decade away, and our kitchen has become a place where old favorites, new flavors, and everyday moments come together. Here, I share the recipes we actually make for our family—from homemade bread and simple weeknight dinners to treats worth baking again and again.

I’m so glad you stopped by. I hope you find something your family will love, too.

Meet Our Family →

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If you’d like more family recipes, ordinary moments, and stories from life here in Uganda, we’d love to have you around the table.

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Made with love,

Emily

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