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Use the 2-ingredient slow cooker chicken recipe below or a rotisserie to make these cauliflower rice meal prep bowls, and read the post for all the storage tips.
Chicken Burrito Bowls
This recipe is everything you love about restaurant-style chicken burrito bowls at home! Made with simple and fresh ingredients, these burrito bowls are low-carb and the perfect lunch idea to meal prep!
Effortless. That’s how this recipe is. You can cook the chicken in the crockpot or grab a rotisserie chicken and shred it. Then, you cook the cauliflower rice in 5 minutes. Could it be ANY easier? And just like that, you have terrific meals ready to enjoy!
Keep reading to learn how to assemble these Chicken Burrito Bowls properly and all the packing tips for the most epic lunch. Of course, I also include epic toppings ideas!
Ingredients
Keeping this prep-ahead lunch, low-carb and delicious is no problem! I swapped Chipotle's Burrito Bowl rice for a low-carb option and added my favorite toppings the same. Here's what my bowl looks like:
- Chicken breast: you can also use chicken tighs, rotisserie chicken, or even other protein.
- Salsa: your favorite!
- Oil: for cooking the cauliflower rice, if using the stovetop method.
- Cauliflower Rice: store-bought or homemade.
- Cilantro: adds flavor and a fresh touch!
- Toppings: I like adding shredded cheddar cheese, guacamole, sliced black olives, and sour cream. More tasty ideas below!
Variations
Pretty delish, right?! Of course, you can customize this recipe to make the most of what is already in your pantry and fridge, while satisfying everyone’s cravings. Whatever makes this meal work for you- go for it!
- Chicken breasts: swap them for boneless skinless chicken thighs, rotisserie chicken, steak, grilled shrimp, or your favorite protein.
- Cauliflower rice: if you don’t need a low-carb meal or riced cauliflower is not your thing, use regular rice.
- Veggies: you can add more veggies to make this lunch more nutritious. Some tasty add-ins are lettuce, cabbage, shredded carrots, corn, avocado, and the list goes on!
Burrito Bowl Toppings
Like tacos and pizza, toppings turn these meal-prep burrito bowls into the most delish dish! Here are some ideas that will make you drool:
- Fresh Pico de Gallo
- Queso Fresco
- Cheddar cheese
- Salsa Verde
- Sauteed fajita veggies
- Cubed avocado
- Spicy Guacamole
- Shredded lettuce
- Shredded cabbage
- Chopped red onion
- Halved cherry tomatoes
- Corn and Black Bean Salsa
- Black or pinto beans
- Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing
- Cilantro Lime Sauce
- Mexican sour cream- yes, there's a difference!
How to Make Meal Prep Burrito Bowls
Use chicken leftovers or cook it in the slow cooker, and this meal is almost ready to pack to enjoy the next days. Simple, tasty, and almost hand-free! Check the step-by-step:
- Cook the chicken
You cook the chicken with salsa in the slow cooker on high for 4 hours or 6 hours on low. - Shred the chicken
Once cooked, you shred the chicken using two forks. - Cook the cauliflower rice
You can cook the cauliflower rice on the stovetop or in the microwave (in this case, add water and cover it with plastic wrap) for 4 to 5 minutes. If using frozen riced cauliflower, you can steam it in a bag and follow the package directions. - Add flavor
When the cauliflower rice is heated through, you add the cilantro and stir to combine. - Assemble
You divide the cilantro cauliflower rice into 4 containers and top it with shredded chicken, cheese, and black olives. - Pack the wet toppings
You pack the guacamole and sour cream in a separate lidded container. If you’re eating the bowl immediately at home, top the bowls with these toppings after warming up. - Enjoy!
Microwave your burrito bowls for 2 minutes, stopping halfway through to stir a little for even heating. Once hot, top with guacamole and sour cream if using.
Check how easy it is to meal prep these burrito bowls in this video:
How Long Does a Burrito Bowl Last in the Fridge
You can meal prep these burrito bowls and store them in the fridge for 3 days. I highly recommend these glass meal prep containers. They are reusable, microwave-safe, and easy to clean in the dishwasher!
Packing Burrito Bowls for Lunch
This perfect-for-meal-prep recipe is super easy to assemble in single lunch containers and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Pack the guacamole and sour cream in separate mini-sauce containers, so they don't melt into the burrito bowl when you go to reheat it.
More Meal Prep Recipes
If you're on the lookout for more delicious and healthy prep-ahead meals, I've got you covered. Lunch is what I do! When I cook buffalo chicken, I make the most of it by meal-prepping Buffalo Chicken Salad and Buffalo Chicken Power Bowls. Chicken is also a terrific addition to these Mediterranean Farro Bowls.
Other epic meal prep recipes? This simple and delicious BLT Salad and this mouthwatering Salmon Nicoise. Yummy!
Burrito Bowls Meal Prep (Low Carb)
Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts, or thighs
- 1 ½ cups salsa
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 head cauliflower, riced (about 6 cups)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro, divided
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces guacamole, optional
- 4 ounces sliced black olives, optional
- Sour cream, optional
Instructions
Cook the chicken:
- Place chicken and salsa in the bowl of your slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or 6 hours on low. Before serving, shred the chicken between two forks.
Cook the cauliflower rice:
- Stovetop: heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat, and add the oil to warm it up. Add the riced cauliflower and sauté for about 5 minutes until the cauliflower rice is heated through and tender.
- Microwave: place the cauliflower rice in a microwave-safe bowl with ¼ cup water. Cover with plastic wrap to trap the heat in. Heat it for about 4 minutes, stopping to stir once or twice to ensure even heating. If you're using frozen riced cauliflower, you can steam it in a bag and follow the package directions.
- Once the cauliflower rice is hot, add the cilantro, and stir to combine.
Meal Prep Assembly:
- Line up 4 meal prep containers. Divide the cilantro cauliflower rice among the 4 containers. Top with shredded chicken, cheese, and black olives.
- Pack the guacamole and sour cream in a separate lidded container. If eating these from home, top the bowls with these toppings after warming up.
Meal time:
- Warm the chicken burrito bowls in the microwave for about 2 minutes, stopping halfway through to stir a little for even heating. Once hot, top with guacamole and sour cream if using.
Madalynn says
Trying to eat healthy is a struggle, but this recipe is so delicious. I rotate it in until I get tired of it but this is usually after a couple weeks or months!
I also switch up the toppings 🙂