If you haven’t turned my last two recipes into a burrito bowl yet, I’m hoping this post will convince you to do it. The simple How to Make the Best Quinoa and the Easy Skillet Chicken Taco Meat combine to make delicious Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowls. Top it with some burrito fixins and a drizzle of Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing, and you’ll be a goner just like the rest of my family and me….this is a mandatory weeknight meal at our house now.
If you think your kids will turn their noses up to the quinoa, try it with my Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice. I was worried about how my kids would react to quinoa, but they actually love it, especially my older teenagers. They are becoming more conscious of the nutritional value of their food and really like that it has more protein and fiber than rice. Either way, you will love it. The flavorful meat and delicious cilantro dressing make it feel like takeout.
More Tex-Mex Recipes You Will Love
- Ground Beef Baked Taquitos
- Sheet Pan Fajitas
- Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
- Creamy Beef and Green Chili Casserole
- Creamy Cilantro Verde Enchilada’s
- Slow Cooker Pineapple Salsa Chicken
Step-By-Step Pictures for how to make Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowls
Tips for making Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowls
- Start the quinoa before you cook the chicken. This ensures they both get done at the same time and that you can get this meal on the table in 30 minutes if needed.
- If you are in a hurry, you can use rotisserie chicken. Just add the seasonings and pan-fry the chicken to warm it up and get a little browning (for flavor) on the meat.
- In place of the spices, you can use a taco seasoning packet if desired.
- When the meat has finished cooking, squeeze some fresh lime or lemon juice over the meat (about 1-2 tsp worth). If you don’t have fresh lime or lemon, you can sprinkle a little True Lime or True Lemon on it. I have also used 1 tsp of imitation lemon juice from my fridge with good results.
- While the chicken and quinoa are cooking, chop up the fixins you want in between stirring the chicken. We like tomato, lettuce, onion, cheese, and avocado. We also like to warm up a can or two of black beans.
- If you know you plan to make this during the week, you may want to consider mixing up the Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing a night or two in advance, so you don’t have to worry about it while preparing the other elements of the burrito bowl. The dressing also tastes better when made at least a few hours in advance so the flavors have time to mingle.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge or freezer.
CHEF’S TOOLS:
- Large Skillet
- Chef’s Knife Set
- Cutting Board
- Taco Seasoning
- True Lemon or True Lime
- Large Salad/Soup Bowls
More Delicious "Bowl" Recipes
- 3 large chicken breasts, cut into thin, bite-size pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil or canola oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 2½ tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp granulate sugar
- ½-1 tsp lemon or lime juice
- The Best Quinoa Recipe
- TOPPINGS:
- Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing
- Lettuce, chopped
- Tomatoes, diced
- Red Onion, finely chopped
- Cucumber, diced
- Black Beans, drained
- Avocado, sliced or diced
- Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
- Prepare the Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing a day in advance or an hour or two before serving.
- Next, start cooking the Quinoa Recipe.
- While the quinoa is cooking, begin making the chicken taco meat. In a large skillet, heat the oil and add chicken pieces.
- Add the salt and ground black pepper, and saute over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink.
- Next, add the cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Stir well and continue to saute for another 5 minutes or until meat is completely cooked.
- As the last step, add the sugar and lemon or lime juice. Saute until the chicken has a nice, slight browning to it. Remove from heat.
- Prepare the bowls by adding a serving of quinoa to the bottom of your bowl, then the chicken, and top with your choice of toppings and a drizzle of Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing.
- Enjoy!
Easy Dinners for Busy Schedules
Yummy! As I’m trying to eat healthier I love this bowl filled with veggies and Quinoa. It has become one of my FAVORITE go to lunches…and the Cafe Rio Dressing is so good. I make it with the salsa verde. And then I have some for my other favorite, your Cafe Rio Sweet Pork recipe. There is actually a Cafe Rio about 20 min from where I live, but your recipes is so delicious I prefer to make them at home.